Cluster 6 focuses on projects that foster transformative changes to the economy and society in urban and rural areas. This ensures food and nutrition security for all within planetary boundaries through knowledge, innovation and digitalisation in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture and food systems, and steer and accelerate the transition to a low carbon, resource-efficient circular economy and sustainable bioeconomy, including forestry. 
 

Projects in this cluster also support objectives of the following policies:
 

• EU biodiversity strategy for 2030
• EU’s new circular economy action plan
• EU Action Plan: ‘Towards a Zero Pollution for Air, Water and Soil’ (EU zero pollution action plan)
• EU industrial strategy
• EU bioeconomy strategy
• EU forest strategy
• EU soil strategy for 2030
• Sustainable blue economy strategy
• Chemicals strategy for sustainability
• EU plastics strategy
   

Cluster 6 is especially relevant for cities and regions that are developing a Circular Systemic Solution that aims 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. 2023/24 calls addressed topics such as the establishment of bio-economy start-up villages, urban greening and generation projects, circular households and bio-based business models in local communities.
 

Through the programme, special attention is given to ensure cooperation between universities, scientific communities and industry (including small and medium-sized enterprises) and people and their representatives, to bridge gaps between genders, territories, generations and regional cultures, particularly to support women innovators and care for the needs of young people in shaping Europe’s future. Furthermore, multi-actor projects within the cluster also focus on the inclusion of all relevant actors. These include:
 

• researchers; 
• farmers/farmers' groups and associations; 
• foresters/foresters’ groups and associations; 
• aquaculture producers; 
• fishers/fishers’ groups and associations; 
• advisors; 
• food and bioeconomy businesses; 
• other businesses; 
• consumer associations; 
• local communities; 
• citizens; 
• civil society organisations including NGOs and government representatives.

Open to any legal entity based in EU Member States and Associated Countries. Cooperation between at least three parties from three different countries is often required (at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State; and at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries).

Horizon Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment has seven destinations that are set out to fulfil the overarching aim of the programme. The destinations are:
 

• biodiversity and ecosystem services;
• fair, healthy and environment-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption;
• circular economy and bioeconomy sectors;
• clean environment and zero pollution;
• land, ocean and water for climate action;
• resilient, inclusive, healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities;
• innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solution in support of the Green Deal.

€ 8.9 billion for Cluster 6 for the period 2021-2027, € 2-6 million per project (typically)

1. The European Commission publishes calls for proposals on the Funding and Tenders Portal https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/

2. the call is open for a typical period of around five months, during which applicants can submit they proposal.

3. Proposals can be single or two-stage application processes. A single stage application process requires the filling in of a structured proposal of a maximum of 45 pages including objectives and innovation approach (excellence), tangible impacts that can be achieved through the project (impact) and the project planning and tasks (quality). If it is a two-stage application process, the aforementioned would be the second stage application, while the first is a simplified proposal of a maximum of 10 pages including only excellence and impact sections. These documents are to be uploaded to the portal in PDF format alongside filling in the respective parts of the portal with administrative information on the beneficiaries, affiliated entities or others. All participants in a project need to possess a Participant Identification Code (i.e. PIC number, a 9-digit number registered on ECAS). For more information, please see the work programme and the call documents.

4. Proposal submitted within the deadline will be evaluated by experts against evaluation criteria. 

5. Winning proposals will be invited to sign a grant agreement with the European Commission. 

The deadline depends on a specific call. Typical deadline periods are September–October and February–April. The current Horizon Europe programme will run until 2027.