Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment

Cluster 6 provides opportunities to enhance and balance environmental, social and economic goals and to set human economic activities on a path towards sustainability. The underlying paradigm of Cluster 6 is therefore the need for a transformative change of the EU economy and society in order to reduce environmental degradation, halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity and better manage natural resources while meeting the EU’s climate objectives and ensuring food and water security. 

Activities under Cluster 6 will help to accelerate the ecological transition required by the European Green Deal in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Cluster 6 covers the following 7 areas of intervention

• environmental observation
• biodiversity and natural resources
• agriculture, forestry and rural areas
• seas, oceans and inland waters
• food systems
• bio-based innovation systems in the EU’s bioeconomy 
• circular systems

Cluster 6 is organized in 7 destinations in 2021-2024:

Destination 1 : Biodiversity and ecosystem services

Destination 2 : Fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems from primary production to consumption

Destination 3 : Circular economy and bioeconomy sectors

Destination 4 : Clean environment and zero pollution

Destination 5 : Land, ocean and water for climate action

Destination 6 : Resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities

Destination 7 : Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal

Many topics include specific requirements for multi-actor projects which are explained in the introduction of the Work Programme 2021-2022 p.19.

A key concept for this cluster is also the concept of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) defined as “Solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions.” More information

Destination 3 of this Cluster contribute to the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative.

The Work Programme for Cluster 6 for the 2023-2024 period can be found here. You can also visit the Funding and Tenders Portal to look at the published topics individually.

Contact:

For more information on Cluster 6 and related NCP services, contact your NCP:

Bénédicte de Brouwer	Camille Dehestru