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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must position decentralized urban food innovation hubs as high-leverage accelerators bridging local entrepreneurial capacity with private and public capital. It is essential to demonstrate an authentic Multi-Actor Approach combining city administrations, incubators, food startups, and civil society across diverse EU geographical contexts. Aligning place-based, climate-smart business models with clear replication mechanisms and TRL 8 deployment will validate long-term economic and environmental resilience.
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 | |||
| SC1develop and pilot decentralised local capacities and ecosystems, such as food innovation incubators, accelerators and hubs, which support high-impact and sustainable urban food solutions. These should provide targeted support and access to capital and investment, while connecting fragmented ecosystems across Member States and Associated Countries; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2integrate tailored mentorship programs to stimulate entrepreneurship and start-ups in urban food systems and facilitate participatory co-creation of place-based collaborative sustainable and climate smart business models, utilising the networks and solutions developed through the local capacities; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3leverage these pilot implementations to accelerate urban food system transformation and scalability, ensuring market uptake, scaling and replication across diverse EU contexts, while measuring the impact on all dimensions of sustainability by relevant indicators; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4connect with already established R&I initiatives, such as partnerships, missions, platforms, and other relevant projects to derive economically viable, and sustainable, business models from these initiatives, accelerating the uptake of research outcomes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1accelerated growth and success of innovation-led local urban food start-ups, through strengthened business development services, access to capital and investment, and boosted innovation capacities; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2empowered urban food entrepreneurs through inclusive, multi-actor governance models that foster mentoring, collaboration, and co-creation among local actors; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3established and interconnected European-wide competitive urban food systems innovation ecosystems, scaled and deployed widely, that increase the resilience, inclusiveness, and well-being of urban communities through socially innovative and climate smart approaches. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Implementation of the Multi-Actor Approach (MAA)Proposals must implement the multi-actor approach, involving local and regional authorities, urban planners, SMEs and start-ups, food entrepreneurs, research and innovation actors, educational institutions, civil society organisations, and citizens to co-create solutions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH)This topic should involve the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Integration of gender dimension and intersectional social categoriesProposals should integrate the gender dimension where applicable, while ensuring consideration of other social categories (disability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnic/cultural origin, sexual orientation) and their intersections. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Synergies with established R&I initiatives, partnerships, and missionsProposals should connect with already established R&I initiatives, such as partnerships, missions, platforms, and other relevant projects to derive economically viable and sustainable business models and accelerate research uptake. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Contribution to the EU Food System Monitoring DashboardThe initiative will support the Clean Industrial Deal and Competitiveness Compass, and specifically contribute to the EU Food System Monitoring Dashboard. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6International cooperation under the global approach to R&IR&I actions under this Destination will encourage international cooperation, in line with the global approach on R&I. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Unlocking R&I potential of EU outermost regionsThe Destination supports unlocking the unique assets for research and innovation of the EU outermost regions, in line with the EU strategy for outermost regions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Communities are empowered to act for a transformative change to increase their sustainability and resilience, through better access to knowledge and tools (including digital ones), and are better prepared to adapt to climate change and to achieve climate neutrality as well as to address environmental issues, including biodiversity loss. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Rural communities are prepared to anticipate and respond to social, economic and environmental shocks and are attractive for young innovators. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Urban and peri-urban communities can access affordable, healthier, nutritious and environmental-friendly food, benefitting from empowered local food entrepreneurship and socially innovative approaches, increasing resilience and inclusiveness. | · | · | 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 |
| POL2food 2030 r&i initiativeFood 2030 is the EU's research and innovation policy framework aimed at future-proofing European food and nutrition systems. It prioritizes four key areas: nutrition for healthy diets, climate smartness and environmental sustainability, circularity and resource efficiency, and innovation and empowerment of communities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3eu startup and scaleup strategyThe EU Startup and Scaleup Initiative focuses on removing administrative hurdles, facilitating access to finance, and supporting market uptake for innovative European enterprises. It aims to build dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems that can scale across borders and leverage regional strengths. | · | · | 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).
Multi-actor approach required
Proposals must apply the multi-actor approach as defined in this work programme part.
4 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.
A proposal that treats stakeholders as mere consultants will fail the eligibility check. You must demonstrate authentic co-ownership by formally including grassroots innovators, urban authorities, and investors in the consortium. Evaluators will strictly assess this Multi-Actor Approach to ensure active participation rather than passive consultation.
Source: Eligibility rules
Because this is a Lump Sum Innovation Action, your work package structure must align payment milestones with the delivery of tangible assets. Evaluators will heavily scrutinize whether your deliverables establish operational business support infrastructure (like incubators reaching TRL 8) and verifiable pipelines to venture capital.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Do not treat policy alignment as background context. Evaluators are instructed to place strong emphasis on direct, operational synergies with Food 2030 and Horizon Europe Missions. Your proposal must explicitly show how it federates regional incubators to scale research-derived enterprises from these specific initiatives.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
Local pilot success is insufficient if it remains isolated. The scope mandates connecting fragmented ecosystems across diverse Member States and Associated Countries. Your replication roadmap must prove how decentralized urban food hubs will scale and integrate into a competitive European-wide innovation network.
Source: Scope
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).
Multi-actor approach required
Proposals must apply the multi-actor approach as defined in this work programme part.
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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.
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 strictly assess compliance with the mandatory Multi-Actor Approach (MAA), demanding demonstrable co-ownership from grassroots innovators, urban authorities, and investors rather than passive stakeholder consultation. As an Innovation Action under Lump Sum funding, evaluators will scrutinize whether the work packages deliver tangible, operational business support infrastructure (incubators/accelerators reaching TRL 8) and verifiable pipelines to venture capital and blended finance. Strong emphasis will also be placed on measurable sustainability indicators and direct synergies with existing EU initiatives (such as Food 2030 and Horizon Europe Missions).
TRL 4 → 8
develop and pilot decentralised local capacities and ecosystems, such as food innovation incubators, accelerators and hubs, which support high-impact and sustainable urban food solutions. These should provide targeted support and access to capital and investment, while connecting fragmented ecosystems across Member States and Associated Countries;
integrate tailored mentorship programs to stimulate entrepreneurship and start-ups in urban food systems and facilitate participatory co-creation of place-based collaborative sustainable and climate smart business models, utilising the networks and solutions developed through the local capacities;
leverage these pilot implementations to accelerate urban food system transformation and scalability, ensuring market uptake, scaling and replication across diverse EU contexts, while measuring the impact on all dimensions of sustainability by relevant indicators;
connect with already established R&I initiatives, such as partnerships, missions, platforms, and other relevant projects to derive economically viable, and sustainable, business models from these initiatives, accelerating the uptake of research outcomes.
accelerated growth and success of innovation-led local urban food start-ups, through strengthened business development services, access to capital and investment, and boosted innovation capacities;
empowered urban food entrepreneurs through inclusive, multi-actor governance models that foster mentoring, collaboration, and co-creation among local actors;
established and interconnected European-wide competitive urban food systems innovation ecosystems, scaled and deployed widely, that increase the resilience, inclusiveness, and well-being of urban communities through socially innovative and climate smart approaches.
Communities are empowered to act for a transformative change to increase their sustainability and resilience, through better access to knowledge and tools (including digital ones), and are better prepared to adapt to climate change and to achieve climate neutrality as well as to address environmental issues, including biodiversity loss.
Rural communities are prepared to anticipate and respond to social, economic and environmental shocks and are attractive for young innovators.
Urban and peri-urban communities can access affordable, healthier, nutritious and environmental-friendly food, benefitting from empowered local food entrepreneurship and socially innovative approaches, increasing resilience and inclusiveness.
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.
Food 2030 R&I initiative
highFood 2030 is the EU's research and innovation policy framework aimed at future-proofing European food and nutrition systems. It prioritizes four key areas: nutrition for healthy diets, climate smartness and environmental sustainability, circularity and resource efficiency, and innovation and empowerment of communities.
Evaluators expect proposals to align directly with the Food 2030 pathways, demonstrating multi-actor approaches, civic engagement, and systemic innovations that empower urban food communities and entrepreneurs.
EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy
highThe EU Startup and Scaleup Initiative focuses on removing administrative hurdles, facilitating access to finance, and supporting market uptake for innovative European enterprises. It aims to build dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystems that can scale across borders and leverage regional strengths.
Evaluators look for concrete mechanisms supporting business incubators, accelerators, living labs, and capacity-building measures that empower urban food startups to scale sustainable, locally anchored business models.
Competitiveness Compass
mediumThe Competitiveness Compass is a framework or initiative, often associated with specific EU institutions or presidencies, aimed at guiding policy actions to enhance the EU's overall competitiveness. It typically identifies key areas for improvement, such as innovation, digital transformation, skills, and a well-functioning single market.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to the strategic objectives outlined in the Competitiveness Compass, for example, by fostering innovation, strengthening the digital economy, addressing skill gaps, or improving the business environment in Europe to boost overall competitiveness.
EU climate adaptation strategy
mediumThe EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change outlines pathways to create a climate-resilient society by 2050 through smarter, faster, and more systemic adaptation. It emphasizes nature-based solutions, local resilience planning, and climate-proofing infrastructure and resource chains.
Evaluators expect projects to explain how local urban food networks and infrastructure build resilience against extreme weather events, heat islands, and urban supply disruptions.
EU Nature Restoration Regulation
mediumRegulation (EU) 2024/1991 sets legally binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems across land, sea, and urban environments. It includes specific requirements to halt net loss of urban green spaces and increase tree canopy cover alongside biodiversity gains.
Evaluators expect proposals integrating urban farming or green infrastructure to demonstrate tangible contributions to urban biodiversity and the preservation or expansion of urban green and blue spaces.
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.
New European Bauhaus
mediumThe New European Bauhaus (NEB) is an environmental, economic, and cultural initiative connecting the European Green Deal to lived experiences and living spaces. It emphasizes three core values: sustainability, aesthetics (quality of experience), and inclusion.
Evaluators expect urban food proposals referencing NEB to demonstrate circular, aesthetically pleasing, and socially inclusive designs in urban spaces, integrating community co-creation and participatory governance.
Clean Industrial Deal
lowThe Clean Industrial Deal focuses on decarbonizing energy-intensive European industries while safeguarding economic competitiveness and securing green supply chains. It promotes investments in clean technologies, circular business models, and high-value resource efficiency.
Evaluators expect clear evidence of how proposed bio-based recycling or upcycling pathways reduce carbon intensity and provide circular, cost-competitive alternatives to fossil feedstocks in industrial manufacturing.
EU strategy for outermost regions
lowThis strategic framework addresses the unique economic, geographic, and climate vulnerabilities of the EU's outermost regions (ORs). It seeks to enhance local food autonomy, support regional job creation, and leverage local biodiversity for sustainable innovation.
Evaluators look for consideration of geographical inclusiveness, particularly assessing how proposed urban food solutions and business frameworks can be adapted or applied to isolated or outermost urban contexts.
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