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Strategic Analysis
To build a winning proposal for HORIZON-MISS-2023-SOIL-01-04, the consortium must deliver an integrated multi-actor approach that moves beyond monitoring to demonstrating multi-scale, economically viable land management innovations. Winning proposals will actively link cross-sectoral stakeholders—farmers, foresters, and land managers—with robust climate and soil science to scale up nature-based and technological solutions. Aligning directly with the EU Soil Mission, the project should emphasize multi-site validation (agricultural, forest, semi-natural) and concrete policy recommendations for land degradation neutrality.
TRL 5 → 7
Synthesise and gather evidence on the drivers and impacts of land degradation at all relevant scales, using diverse data flows and where relevant models, with a view to supporting alternative land management actions (scenarios) that alleviate the pressures from land uses and land-use changes leading to desertification.
Identify, demonstrate the effectiveness, and promote the scale-up of measures for reducing and reversing desertification and increasing soil’s water-retention capacity, taking into account (actual and projected) changes in climatic conditions. Work should be carried out at different scales and address various types of land use (agriculture, forestry and natural land) and land use changes. Due attention should be given to the role of plant and microbial diversity in increasing the resilience of land vis-a-vis desertification processes.
Specifically for agricultural land including both conventional and organic farming, identify and demonstrate farming or other land-use practices which are more resilient and are suitable for combatting desertification while sustaining ecosystem services and preventing land abandonment.
Facilitate learning and exchange among all relevant actors, including across sectors, by promoting in the scope of activities various types of innovations (nature-based, technological, socio-economic, cultural and institutional) and/or various types of land use (natural and semi-natural as well as agricultural, agroforestry and forest areas).
Develop policy recommendations for creating incentives and overcoming obstacles for the widespread uptake of measures that have demonstrated to be effective for the prevention of desertification and restoration and are suitable for scaling-up.
Carry-out activities for awareness-raising on desertification and for the demonstration and dissemination of solutions, also as part of the UN Day to combat desertification and drought.
The socio-economic and climatic drivers, the extent and the impacts of different types of land degradation (incl. water scarcity, vegetation loss, soil erosion) in (semi-)natural and agricultural systems of arid areas and areas becoming increasingly arid are clearly understood, accurately and reliably measured at the most relevant scale and in connection with specific land uses. This knowledge is widely shared among relevant actors from various sectors.
The economic viability and environmental effectiveness of solutions for the prevention of desertification and for the restoration of degraded land (such as soil protection measures that help retain water and reduce water needs, improve management of soil organic matter, avoid salinization, protect biodiversity, minimise soil sealing and increase land resilience to droughts) is demonstrated in the different local or regional contexts.
Enhanced access for land managers in desertification-prone areas to effective, context-specific restoration and prevention solutions and to information about the conditions under which they are effective.
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
EU Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe'
highThe EU Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe' aims to establish 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030. It focuses on protecting and restoring soil health, recognizing its vital role in food production, biodiversity, climate regulation, and water cycling.
Proposals should demonstrate how circular water management practices contribute to soil health, for example, by preventing soil salinization from poor quality irrigation water, improving soil moisture retention, or integrating nutrient-rich reclaimed water that benefits soil fertility.
Proposal for a Directive on Soil Monitoring and Resilience (Soil Monitoring Law)
highThe Soil Monitoring Law aims to put the EU on a pathway to healthy soils by 2050 by establishing a legal framework to monitor and assess soil health across all EU Member States. It sets out requirements for soil indicators, sustainable soil management practices, and the remediation of contaminated sites.
Evaluators expect proposals to align their soil degradation and desertification monitoring methodologies with the indicators and frameworks set out in the proposed Soil Monitoring Law, ensuring standardized data collection and long-term policy relevance.
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
mediumCommon Agricultural Policy supports sustainable agriculture. Less relevant unless the proposal involves bio-based materials or food processing.
Only relevant for proposals with agricultural or bio-based components.
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1. Admissibility conditions: 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
2. Eligible countries: 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: Proposals must apply the multi-actor approach. See definition of the multi-actor approach in the introduction to this Mission.
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may additionally be used).
3. Other eligibility conditions: described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes
Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes
Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement: described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes
7. Specific conditions: described in the specific topic of the Work Programme
Call documents:
Standard application form — call-specific application form is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard evaluation form — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
MGA
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 12. Missions
HE Main Work Programme 2023–2024 – 13. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme and Rules for Participation Regulation 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
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 pay strict attention to the genuine execution of the multi-actor approach, verifying that land managers and farmers are co-designers rather than passive end-users. They will prioritize clear evidence of TRL 5 to TRL 7 progression through multi-site demonstrations across diverse European drylands/arid regions. High scores will require clear synergy with key initiatives like the Joint Research Centre EU Soil Observatory (EUSO), PRIMA, and relevant LIFE projects (e.g., NewLIFE4Drylands), as well as actionable policy recommendations supporting the proposed EU Soil Monitoring Law.
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 | |||
| SC1Synthesise and gather evidence on the drivers and impacts of land degradation at all relevant scales, using diverse data flows and where relevant models, with a view to supporting alternative land management actions (scenarios) that alleviate the pressures from land uses and land-use changes leading to desertification. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Identify, demonstrate the effectiveness, and promote the scale-up of measures for reducing and reversing desertification and increasing soil’s water-retention capacity, taking into account (actual and projected) changes in climatic conditions. Work should be carried out at different scales and address various types of land use (agriculture, forestry and natural land) and land use changes. Due attention should be given to the role of plant and microbial diversity in increasing the resilience of land vis-a-vis desertification processes. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Specifically for agricultural land including both conventional and organic farming, identify and demonstrate farming or other land-use practices which are more resilient and are suitable for combatting desertification while sustaining ecosystem services and preventing land abandonment. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Facilitate learning and exchange among all relevant actors, including across sectors, by promoting in the scope of activities various types of innovations (nature-based, technological, socio-economic, cultural and institutional) and/or various types of land use (natural and semi-natural as well as agricultural, agroforestry and forest areas). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5Develop policy recommendations for creating incentives and overcoming obstacles for the widespread uptake of measures that have demonstrated to be effective for the prevention of desertification and restoration and are suitable for scaling-up. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6Carry-out activities for awareness-raising on desertification and for the demonstration and dissemination of solutions, also as part of the UN Day to combat desertification and drought. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1The socio-economic and climatic drivers, the extent and the impacts of different types of land degradation (incl. water scarcity, vegetation loss, soil erosion) in (semi-)natural and agricultural systems of arid areas and areas becoming increasingly arid are clearly understood, accurately and reliably measured at the most relevant scale and in connection with specific land uses. This knowledge is widely shared among relevant actors from various sectors. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2The economic viability and environmental effectiveness of solutions for the prevention of desertification and for the restoration of degraded land (such as soil protection measures that help retain water and reduce water needs, improve management of soil organic matter, avoid salinization, protect biodiversity, minimise soil sealing and increase land resilience to droughts) is demonstrated in the different local or regional contexts. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Enhanced access for land managers in desertification-prone areas to effective, context-specific restoration and prevention solutions and to information about the conditions under which they are effective. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Multi-actor approach executionProposals must apply the multi-actor approach, ensuring land managers, farmers, and cross-sectoral stakeholders are active co-designers in the research and demonstration activities rather than passive end-users. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Mandatory use of Copernicus and Galileo/EGNOSIf projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation, and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Open access and interoperability with EUSOProposals should demonstrate a route towards open access, longevity, sustainability, and interoperability of knowledge and outputs through close collaboration with the Joint Research Centre's EU Soil Observatory (EUSO). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Collaboration and synergies with EU projects and PRIMAProposals must include a dedicated task, appropriate resources, and a plan to collaborate with other projects funded under this topic/Soil Mission, as well as ensure synergies with the PRIMA partnership and the EU LIFE project NewLIFE4Drylands. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5International cooperation with Mediterranean countriesInternational cooperation is encouraged to achieve expected outcomes, in particular with third countries in the Mediterranean region. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Potential cooperation with Soil Mission living labsProjects could potentially cooperate with living labs and lighthouses created under the Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe'. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1eu mission 'a soil deal for europe'The EU Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe' aims to establish 100 living labs and lighthouses to lead the transition to healthy soils by 2030. It focuses on protecting and restoring soil health, recognizing its vital role in food production, biodiversity, climate regulation, and water cycling. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2proposal for a directive on soil monitoring and resilience (soil monitoring law)The Soil Monitoring Law aims to put the EU on a pathway to healthy soils by 2050 by establishing a legal framework to monitor and assess soil health across all EU Member States. It sets out requirements for soil indicators, sustainable soil management practices, and the remediation of contaminated sites. | · | · | 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).
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.
Proposals must implement a multi-actor approach to pass the initial eligibility check. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to verify that land managers and farmers are co-designers of the solutions, meaning proposals that treat these stakeholders merely as passive end-users or testing subjects will fail.
Source: Eligibility / Evaluation_pre_award
Given the focus on monitoring land degradation at scale, projects relying on satellite-based earth observation or positioning must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Failing to explicitly integrate these EU space services when utilizing satellite data violates a strict eligibility condition.
Source: Eligibility
Securing top scores requires moving beyond generic networking to establish clear operational synergies with specific ongoing initiatives. Proposals must explicitly link their demonstration activities and data flows to the EU Soil Observatory (EUSO), PRIMA, and relevant LIFE projects such as NewLIFE4Drylands.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
Evaluators expect the project's monitoring methodologies to directly support the proposed EU Soil Monitoring Law. Consortia must align their data collection and desertification indicators with this specific legal framework to ensure long-term policy relevance and deliver actionable recommendations.
Source: Policies / Evaluation_pre_award
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. The steps below fill in as it takes shape, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
Step 1 of 2 · Build your concept
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Increasing climatic pressures and intense land use lead to soil sealing, loss of soil organic matter, salinization, and loss of biodiversity, accelerating desertification and land abandonment.
Land managers often lack accessible, field-tested innovations tailored to local soil and climatic conditions that ensure both environmental efficacy and economic viability.
Current incentive schemes and regulatory frameworks frequently fail to support transition costs or manage financial risks associated with adopting desertification-prevention innovations.
Primary end-users implementing soil protection, water retention, and sustainable land management practices on conventional and organic agricultural lands vulnerable to desertification.
Public bodies responsible for agricultural, forestry, and environmental policies, who will utilize policy recommendations and financial incentive mechanisms.
Academic researchers, soil scientists, and research networks benefiting from harmonized data flows, degradation driver evidence, and long-term research infrastructure synergies (e.g., EUSO).
Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
Scaling up nature-based and technological practices reverses desertification trends, increases soil water-retention, and safeguards soil biodiversity in line with @EO2.
Improves land resilience against severe droughts and extreme climatic events, sustaining long-term agricultural production and preventing land abandonment.
Facilitates cross-sectoral collaboration and provides data-driven policy tools supporting the EU Soil Deal for Europe and the Soil Monitoring Law.