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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must position transdisciplinary Living Labs across varied biogeographical contexts (terrestrial, freshwater, and marine) as real-world policy and socio-economic testbeds. It must seamlessly bridge empirical biodiversity metrics with innovative economic and participatory mechanisms—such as citizens' assemblies, participatory budgeting, and nature credits—while ensuring compliance with the mandatory Multi-Actor Approach. Critical advantage lies in directly operationalizing decision-support systems that connect local co-creation to high-level EU frameworks like the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the Kunming-Montreal GBF.
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
establish living labs as real-world testing environments to experiment with policy solutions, stakeholder engagement, and new economic models, while strengthening collective capacities and well-being, and identifying and overcoming barriers that limit participation in living labs;
develop inclusive, intersectional and adaptive governance strategies that foster systemic transformative change, based on both biodiversity and socio-economic metrics and emphasising equity and sustainability.
conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of policies related to both direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, with the aim of identifying conflicting or competing objectives and informing more coherent, nature positive policy frameworks;
analyse the legal, financial and institutional barriers to inclusive governance in Europe, including the assessment of political and economic obstacles and of active strategies by actors and develop proposals to pilot and test innovative policy instruments, such as citizens’ assemblies, participatory budgeting and, if and when relevant, nature credits as proposed in the Nature Credits Roadmap [1] , to foster transformative change;
develop multi-level governance models and policy proposals to integrate all relevant nature positive actions (including protection and restoration of ecosystems, Nature-based Solutions, circular economy, sustainable bioeconomy, regenerative agriculture, agroecology, agroforestry, bioremediation, etc.) into all relevant EU policies and strategies in a synergetic and coherent way;
identify relevant existing EU funded communities of practices, such as the Nature-based Solutions hubs, the circular economy hubs and the adaptation hubs, and group them per ecosystem or societal challenge;
set-up living labs to co-develop enabling pathways for transformative change and test them to ensure positive impacts on the ground, drawing on best practices (including emerging nature positive actions), identifying knowledge gaps and addressing research and innovation needs in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders;
develop digital tools to synthesise and visualise diverse knowledge sources and create decision-support systems for inclusive governance, in view to inform all stakeholders about all existing nature positive actions per ecosystem or societal challenge and to propose the best options in terms of both biodiversity and socio-economic gains for a specific and/or local context (e.g. surface area, available budget, main challenge, specific regional area).
society and decision-makers are provided with enhanced governance frameworks that integrate knowledge across ecosystems (terrestrial, freshwater and marine) and/or societal challenges, helping overcome institutional barriers, power asymmetries, and policy fragmentation to accelerate transformative change towards a nature positive economy and support EU climate goals;
practitioners and public authorities co-create and have access to living labs as innovation hubs for testing, and scaling both governance and socio-economic models that integrate diverse knowledge systems, actively engage stakeholders and support bottom-up and participatory approaches.
Knowledge on biodiversity status and trends and drivers of biodiversity loss is improved;
Innovations, methods, pathways, models and tools are available and used to protect healthy and resilient ecosystems and to restore degraded ones, ensuring the continuous provision of ecosystem services, including for adaptation and/or mitigation to climate change;
The ongoing biodiversity crisis and its consequences, notably on ecosystem functioning and their services, and the need to monitor, protect, restore and sustainably use biodiversity are better understood to better benefit the whole society in an inclusive way;
Policymakers and stakeholders, all relevant economic sectors and society are aware and well informed of relevant challenges and opportunities of biodiversity protection, restoration and sustainable use, leading to better implementation of the biodiversity legislation and better valuation of ecosystem services, leading to transformative change towards a nature positive economy;
Farmers, foresters, land and sea managers, fishers and aquaculture producers have access to key information, and test and implement biodiversity-friendly management practices, while safeguarding food and water security and fostering competitiveness, demonstrating the long-term sustainability of these sectors;
Progress towards international commitments worldwide on biodiversity is made.
European Green Deal
highThe EU Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair, healthy, and environmentally sustainable society, with a focus on sustainable food systems. This call aligns with the Green Deal’s goals by addressing the health impacts of diets and promoting resilient, inclusive food systems that support mental well-being.
Evaluators will look for proposals that demonstrate how the project contributes to sustainable food production, reduces environmental footprints, and promotes equitable access to healthy diets, particularly in vulnerable groups.
EU biodiversity strategy for 2030
highAs a key pillar of the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. It sets ambitious targets for expanding protected areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing pesticide use, and tackling other drivers of biodiversity loss.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss, restoring ecosystems, and enhancing ecological resilience, especially in the context of forest ecosystems and soil health. Specific attention to how living labs can support biodiversity monitoring and restoration in forests and natural lands is crucial.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
highThe Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) sets global targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve recovery by 2050. Key commitments include conserving 30% of land and sea, restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems, and integrating biodiversity into cross-sectoral governance.
Evaluators expect proposals to explicitly link living lab governance and transformative change activities to GBF Targets, demonstrating how multi-stakeholder and participatory models contribute to systemic biodiversity mainstreaming and conservation targets.
EU Nature Restoration Regulation
highMandates restoration of degraded ecosystems. Relevant if the proposal includes nature-based solutions or biodiversity offsets.
If applicable, integration of nature restoration measures in urban/peri-urban areas.
Sustainable Development Goals
mediumThe Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.' Adopted by the United Nations in 2015, they address global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
Proposals should identify which specific SDGs their work contributes to (e.g., SDG 15: Life on Land, SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation) and explain the nature of this contribution. While not an EU-specific policy, alignment with SDGs demonstrates a broader commitment to global sustainability.
Paris Agreement
mediumThe Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C, compared to pre-industrial levels. It requires countries to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate action plans.
Evaluators will prioritize proposals that directly contribute to the achievement of African countries’ NDCs by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing climate resilience. The project should include measurable climate impacts, such as tCO2e emissions reduced, and align with decarbonization and renewable energy deployment goals. Demonstrating how the REV accelerates Africa’s transition to low-carbon energy systems will be critical.
European Climate Law
mediumThe European Climate Law (Regulation (EU) 2021/1119) writes the European Green Deal's goal of climate neutrality by 2050 into binding EU legislation, while setting an intermediate target of reducing net emissions by at least 55% by 2030. It mandates continuous progress towards adaptation and integration of climate resilience across all policy domains.
Evaluators expect proposals to illustrate how collaborative living lab models facilitate local and regional transition pathways toward climate neutrality and adaptation, supporting policy coherence across governance levels.
Nature Credits Roadmap
mediumThe Roadmap aims to develop a framework for biodiversity credits to incentivize private investment in nature restoration. The project could explore innovative financing mechanisms, such as biodiversity credits, to support scalable solutions.
Innovative approaches to financing biodiversity conservation, including potential integration with biodiversity credit schemes. Proposals should discuss how their solutions could be sustained through such mechanisms.
Proposal for a Directive on soil monitoring and resilience
mediumThe proposed Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive establishes a legal framework to achieve healthy soils across the EU by 2050. It sets up harmonized soil monitoring, definitions of soil health, and obligations for sustainable land management.
Evaluators expect projects engaging living labs in land and soil governance to show how participatory monitoring, citizen science, and land-user knowledge can be synthesized to support soil health baselines and sustainable management practices.
Proposal for a Regulation on a forest monitoring framework
mediumThe proposed Forest Monitoring Framework Regulation aims to establish a comprehensive, high-quality monitoring system for all EU forests to improve resilience and support sustainable forest management. It integrates Earth observation data with ground-based measurements to track forest condition and biodiversity.
Evaluators look for methodologies that connect localized living lab forest monitoring and stakeholder knowledge networks with broader regional and EU-wide data frameworks, ensuring open and participatory data sharing.
EU climate adaptation strategy
mediumThe strategy aims to make the EU climate-resilient by 2050, with a focus on nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based adaptation. The project must demonstrate how its solutions enhance climate resilience for species and ecosystems.
Clear linkage between biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation, particularly through nature-based solutions. Proposals should highlight how their interventions improve ecosystem resilience to climate change.
Vision for Agriculture and Food
mediumThis vision aims to make EU agriculture more sustainable, including through biodiversity-friendly practices. The project could address agricultural drivers of species decline and propose solutions for sustainable farming.
Focus on agricultural practices as drivers of species decline, particularly for farmland birds and pollinators. Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions promote biodiversity-friendly agriculture.
Common Agricultural Policy
mediumThe Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is one of the EU's longest-standing policies, designed to support farmers and ensure Europe's food security. It has evolved significantly, with the current iteration (2023-2027) placing a stronger emphasis on environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable farming practices through eco-schemes and conditionality.
Proposals should demonstrate how their activities, even if focused on forests, align with the broader objectives of sustainable land management, rural development, and environmental protection that are integral to the CAP. This could include considering interactions between forest and agricultural lands, or how forest management practices can contribute to wider landscape-level sustainability goals supported by CAP.
European Ocean Pact
lowThe Pact aims to protect and restore marine ecosystems, including through sustainable fisheries and pollution reduction. The project must address marine species decline and propose solutions for ocean health.
Focus on marine biodiversity, particularly for species affected by overfishing, pollution, or climate change. Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions contribute to the Pact’s objectives.
European Water Resilience Strategy
lowThe Strategy aims to improve water resilience, including through ecosystem restoration and pollution reduction. The project could address freshwater species decline and propose solutions for water quality and quantity.
Focus on freshwater biodiversity and the role of water management in species decline. Proposals should highlight how their solutions improve water resilience and ecosystem health.
EU legislative proposal on pollutants in EU waters
lowThis proposal aims to reduce pollution in EU waters, which is a key driver of aquatic biodiversity loss. The project could identify pollution-related drivers of species decline and propose mitigation measures.
Focus on water pollution as a driver of species decline, particularly for aquatic and semi-aquatic species. Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions address pollution and improve water quality.
Vision for Fisheries and Aquaculture towards 2040
lowThis vision aims to make EU fisheries and aquaculture more sustainable, including through biodiversity conservation. The project could address overfishing and bycatch as drivers of marine species decline.
Focus on fisheries and aquaculture as drivers of marine species decline. Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions promote sustainable fisheries and reduce biodiversity impacts.
EU Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production
lowThe Action Plan aims to boost organic farming, which is generally more biodiversity-friendly than conventional agriculture. The project could explore organic farming as a solution for species decline in agricultural landscapes.
Focus on organic farming as a biodiversity-friendly practice. Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions align with the Action Plan’s objectives and promote organic agriculture.
United Nations agreement on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)
lowThe BBNJ Agreement aims to protect marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The project could contribute by addressing marine species decline and proposing solutions for high-seas conservation.
Focus on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction, if applicable. Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions align with the BBNJ Agreement’s objectives.
EU strategy for outermost regions
lowThe strategy aims to support the sustainable development of EU outermost regions, which often host unique biodiversity. The project could address species decline in these regions and propose tailored solutions.
Focus on biodiversity in outermost regions, if applicable. Proposals should demonstrate how their solutions address the specific challenges of these regions.
Specific requirements
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
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described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
The following additional eligibility criteria apply: The proposals must apply the multi-actor approach. See definition of the multi-actor approach in this work programme part.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
To ensure a balanced portfolio, grants will be awarded to proposals not only in order of ranking but at least also to one proposal within the area A that is the highest ranked, and one proposal highest ranked within the area B, provided that the applications attain all thresholds. Proposals shall clearly indicate the area they are applying to.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators will rigorously scrutinize adherence to the Multi-Actor Approach, checking that non-academic actors (citizens, primary producers, regional authorities) are co-leaders rather than passive subjects. Under Excellence, they will look for genuine transdisciplinary integration between natural sciences, environmental law, and socio-economics, specifically assessing how power asymmetries and institutional inertia are tackled. Under Impact, evaluators will demand clear exploitation pathways connecting living lab outputs to real policy uptake, interoperability with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD), and robust credibility of the lump-sum work breakdown (45-page limit).
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1establish living labs as real-world testing environments to experiment with policy solutions, stakeholder engagement, and new economic models, while strengthening collective capacities and well-being, and identifying and overcoming barriers that limit participation in living labs; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2develop inclusive, intersectional and adaptive governance strategies that foster systemic transformative change, based on both biodiversity and socio-economic metrics and emphasising equity and sustainability. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of policies related to both direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, with the aim of identifying conflicting or competing objectives and informing more coherent, nature positive policy frameworks; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4analyse the legal, financial and institutional barriers to inclusive governance in Europe, including the assessment of political and economic obstacles and of active strategies by actors and develop proposals to pilot and test innovative policy instruments, such as citizens’ assemblies, participatory budgeting and, if and when relevant, nature credits as proposed in the Nature Credits Roadmap [1] , to foster transformative change; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5develop multi-level governance models and policy proposals to integrate all relevant nature positive actions (including protection and restoration of ecosystems, Nature-based Solutions, circular economy, sustainable bioeconomy, regenerative agriculture, agroecology, agroforestry, bioremediation, etc.) into all relevant EU policies and strategies in a synergetic and coherent way; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6identify relevant existing EU funded communities of practices, such as the Nature-based Solutions hubs, the circular economy hubs and the adaptation hubs, and group them per ecosystem or societal challenge; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC7set-up living labs to co-develop enabling pathways for transformative change and test them to ensure positive impacts on the ground, drawing on best practices (including emerging nature positive actions), identifying knowledge gaps and addressing research and innovation needs in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC8develop digital tools to synthesise and visualise diverse knowledge sources and create decision-support systems for inclusive governance, in view to inform all stakeholders about all existing nature positive actions per ecosystem or societal challenge and to propose the best options in terms of both biodiversity and socio-economic gains for a specific and/or local context (e.g. surface area, available budget, main challenge, specific regional area). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1society and decision-makers are provided with enhanced governance frameworks that integrate knowledge across ecosystems (terrestrial, freshwater and marine) and/or societal challenges, helping overcome institutional barriers, power asymmetries, and policy fragmentation to accelerate transformative change towards a nature positive economy and support EU climate goals; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2practitioners and public authorities co-create and have access to living labs as innovation hubs for testing, and scaling both governance and socio-economic models that integrate diverse knowledge systems, actively engage stakeholders and support bottom-up and participatory approaches. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Close collaboration with the other project selected under this topicProposals should ensure close collaboration with the other project selected under this topic. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Mandatory Multi-Actor Approach involving diverse stakeholdersProposals must implement the multi-actor approach, involving a range of stakeholders, including when relevant farmers, foresters and land managers, fishing and aquaculture communities, spatial planners and landscape architects, tourism actors, water governance bodies, business leaders, energy producers, local authorities, NGOs and youth organisations. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Interdisciplinary research approachesProposals should adopt interdisciplinary approaches and ensure policymakers, business leaders and stakeholders co-create, experiment, and validate new solutions in an open, user-centred way. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Integration of the gender dimensionThe gender dimension should also be integrated. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Synergies with EU-funded communities of practiceIdentify relevant existing EU funded communities of practices, such as Nature-based Solutions hubs, circular economy hubs and adaptation hubs, and group them per ecosystem or societal challenge. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Synergies with EU Partnerships Biodiversa+, Water4All, Agroecology, and LIFEComplementarities and synergies will be ensured with activities supported by co-funded partnerships Biodiversa+, Water4All, Agroecology, and LIFE projects, particularly on nature restoration and protection. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Support to IPBES processes and international biodiversity commitmentsR&I actions under this destination encourage international cooperation in line with the global approach on R&I, continuing support to processes of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8Attention to EU outermost regionsParticular attention could be paid to the specific characteristics of the outermost regions, unlocking their unique assets for research and innovation in line with the EU strategy for outermost regions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ9Capacity building and training on co-governance and knowledge integrationProposals should offer training for policymakers, community leaders, and researchers on co-governance and knowledge integration, develop educational materials, and ensure coordination and exchanges between all living labs. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Knowledge on biodiversity status and trends and drivers of biodiversity loss is improved; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Innovations, methods, pathways, models and tools are available and used to protect healthy and resilient ecosystems and to restore degraded ones, ensuring the continuous provision of ecosystem services, including for adaptation and/or mitigation to climate change; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3The ongoing biodiversity crisis and its consequences, notably on ecosystem functioning and their services, and the need to monitor, protect, restore and sustainably use biodiversity are better understood to better benefit the whole society in an inclusive way; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Policymakers and stakeholders, all relevant economic sectors and society are aware and well informed of relevant challenges and opportunities of biodiversity protection, restoration and sustainable use, leading to better implementation of the biodiversity legislation and better valuation of ecosystem services, leading to transformative change towards a nature positive economy; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5Farmers, foresters, land and sea managers, fishers and aquaculture producers have access to key information, and test and implement biodiversity-friendly management practices, while safeguarding food and water security and fostering competitiveness, demonstrating the long-term sustainability of these sectors; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6Progress towards international commitments worldwide on biodiversity is made. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1european green dealThe EU Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair, healthy, and environmentally sustainable society, with a focus on sustainable food systems. This call aligns with the Green Deal’s goals by addressing the health impacts of diets and promoting resilient, inclusive food systems that support mental well-being. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2eu biodiversity strategy for 2030As a key pillar of the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to put Europe's biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. It sets ambitious targets for expanding protected areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, reducing pesticide use, and tackling other drivers of biodiversity loss. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3kunming-montreal global biodiversity frameworkThe Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) sets global targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve recovery by 2050. Key commitments include conserving 30% of land and sea, restoring 30% of degraded ecosystems, and integrating biodiversity into cross-sectoral governance. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4eu nature restoration regulationMandates restoration of degraded ecosystems. Relevant if the proposal includes nature-based solutions or biodiversity offsets. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
5 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
Compliance with the mandatory Multi-Actor Approach is an eligibility requirement that will be rigorously scrutinized during evaluation. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to verify that citizens, primary producers, and regional authorities act as co-leaders in the Living Labs rather than mere participants or test subjects.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award / Eligibility
Because this is a lump-sum grant, evaluators will specifically assess the credibility of your work breakdown structure under the Impact criterion. You must justify the resource allocation within the strict 45-page limit, ensuring the financial architecture directly supports the exploitation pathways and policy uptake.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
A winning consortium cannot focus on a single ecosystem type. The proposal must position transdisciplinary Living Labs across varied biogeographical contexts, explicitly integrating terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments to satisfy the expected outcomes and scope requirements.
Source: Overview / Expected Outcomes
Under the Impact criterion, evaluators will demand clear exploitation pathways that include direct interoperability with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD). Proposals must design their digital decision-support systems and data synthesis tools to seamlessly feed into this specific EU platform.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
The scope explicitly requires analyzing barriers to inclusive governance and actively piloting innovative policy instruments. To score well, the proposal must move beyond theoretical governance models and test concrete mechanisms like citizens’ assemblies, participatory budgeting, and nature credits in real-world settings.
Source: Scope
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. There is no set order: start wherever your project starts. The sections below mirror what the conversation produces, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Siloed governance across agricultural, industrial, and environmental sectors leads to contradictory incentives, reinforcing direct and indirect drivers of biodiversity loss.
Traditional conservation planning often neglects intersectional, bottom-up perspectives, disenfranchising vulnerable communities and primary producers from policy design.
Local decision-makers lack integrated digital tools to assess trade-offs and socio-economic benefits alongside biodiversity indicators when deploying NbS or nature credit schemes.
Municipalities, regional environmental agencies, and spatial planners responsible for implementing local biodiversity, restoration, and climate adaptation policies.
Farmers, foresters, fishers, aquaculture operators, and land managers directly piloting regenerative and biodiversity-friendly operational practices.
Local communities, youth representatives, indigenous/marginalized groups, and environmental NGOs actively engaged through deliberative governance platforms.
Researchers in biodiversity science, socio-ecological systems, institutional economics, and participatory governance leveraging project methodologies and FAIR data.
Legislators and policy officers shaping Nature Restoration Law implementation, Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) strategic plans, and EU Green Deal directives.
The long-term impacts your project should drive, and the policies they serve.
Direct uptake of nature-positive practices and NbS piloted through the living labs, improving ecosystem condition and connectivity.
Adoption of participatory governance frameworks and deliberative tools (citizens' assemblies, participatory budgeting) across local and regional jurisdictions.
Widespread transition of farming, forestry, and aquaculture acreage towards regenerative models supported by nature credits and public policy support.
Open provision of multi-metric biodiversity and socio-economic datasets fed systematically into the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD).