IRTA is the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology from Catalonia which contributes to modernising, improving, boosting competitiveness, and fostering sustainable development in the sectors of agriculture, food, agroforestry, aquaculture, and fishing, as well as in all areas of activity directly or indirectly related to the supply of healthy and high quality foodstuffs to end-consumers, while also contributing to food safety and safe processing of foodstuffs and, in general, enhancing the health and well being of the population. Its general objectives are to promote research and technological development in agri food, to facilitate the transfer of scientific advances and to evaluate its own technological advances whilst seeking the utmost coordination and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

At IRTA, the research program on Efficient Use of Water in Agriculture believe we can contribute our expertise and capacities to this topic and, accordingly, we are looking for a consortium to join and prepare a competitive proposal.

In 2023 our team has directly faced the management of a severe drought in Catalonia, where we have been requested by the local government to intermediate between water agencies, irrigation districts and farmers. Among the activities undertaken were the precise planning with water agencies and irrigation districts on how to distribute, among different crops and a long time, the severely reduced water availability. Among the successful agronomic solutions that we recommended to farmers were, on annual crops, the choice of appropriate crops for a water-shortage scenario and, on orchards, the application of Regulated Deficit Irrigation strategies and the severe fruit thinning. To deal with the huge amount of information to manage this real crisis at regional scale, we adapted on-the-edge digital technologies that we had developed in previous R+D+I project. For instance, the digital twins for the supervision of irrigation water demand at regional scale (e.g. www.irriter.cat, www.irrilleida.cat).

The topic HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-02-1-two-stage: Demonstrating Nature-based Solutions for the sustainable management of water resources in a changing climate, with special attention to reducing the impacts of extreme drought is of the utmost interest for us.

For a detailed explanation of our capacities and the technical expertise we can offer to the different goals of this topic, please refer to the attached document.

For further information, contact mcampmajo@catalonia.com

SIGTE (from the University of Girona) - Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing Service at the University of Girona is a service involving applied research, training and knowledge, and technology transfer. It specialises in the treatment of geographic information and the use and application of geographic information. SIGTE is an expert in data capture, analysis, and processing of geospatial information. SIGTE develop both desktop and/or web geo-applications for management or communication purposes. SIGTE organises dissemination and training activities, such as GIS Professional Master (which has been carried out for 23 editions). Moreover, we have extensive experience in European projects and establishing alliances and partnerships.

Some words that define SIGTE: OpenData, Free & Open Source Software, web mapping, OpenStreetMap, Copernicus, Landsat, QGIS, etc.

The topics SIGTE is interested in are the following:

1. CLIMATE-01-4: LAND, OCEANS AND WATER FOR CLIMATE ACTION – LAND USE CHANGE AND LOCAL/REGIONAL CLIMATE  [FOOD, BIOECONOMY, NATURAL RESSOURCES...] 

2. BIODIV-01-1: BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES – INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES [FOOD, BIOECONOMY, NATURAL RESSOURCES...] 

3. BIODIV-01-2: BIODIVERSITY AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES – DIGITAL FOR NATURE [FOOD, BIOECONOMY, NATURAL RESSOURCES...] 

4. SPACE-01-35: Copernicus for Land and Water

5. SPACE-01-43: Copernicus-based applications for businesses and policy-making

For additional information on what we can offer, please refer to the attached document.

The Botoșani County Council is seeking to join a consortium for a project under the European cooperation projects call, culture strand, Creative Europe program.

The activities are set to be carried out by Ipotesti Memorial, a subordinate organisation of the Botoșani County Council. Operating under the council's umbrella, Ipotesti Memorial actively engages in preserving, researching, and promoting cultural heritage.

They offer diverse cultural products and services, enhancing community involvement in cultural life. They are open to collaborating with partners from various eligible countries, seeking projects encompassing culture, heritage, digitisation, innovation, festivals, workshops, and tourism to broaden their participation in European projects.

They are also open to exploring synergies between art, culture and sustainability. 

Partners sought

The Botoșani County Council is open to joining an already established consortium or contributing to the formation of a new one, as well as to the development of a new project idea.

Public or private entities. Ideally, someone who is willing to coordinate the project. 

Contact information

Name: Alis Socea

Email: alis.socea@adrnordest.ro

Organisation name: North-East Romania Regional Development Agency, Brussels Office

Region Jönköping County is looking for partners to build an international consortium for mutual benefits, exchange, and cooperation in literary works. The partners in mind could involve actors at local, regional, national, and international level within the public sector, civil society, and business. The consortium is planned to be in connection to an application within Creative Europe on the call Circulation of literary works with Region Jönköping County as project owner. The announcement of the call is expected to take place from 16 January to 16 April 2024. 

The aim of this project is to create new conditions for today's writers, for them to reach beyond the country's borders and to establish long-term collaborations with partners in Europe. We want to develop new ideas together with partners along the process leading to the final application. Activities of the project consist of translation, publication, and distribution of literary works, and, for example, international exchanges via literary festivals. In addition, by finding collaborations with publishers, distributors, literary festivals and others in Europe, new projects can be designed in the future. In this way, authors, publishers, and others become more independent of their geographical conditions.

To express interest, please contact Henrik Hermansson, Developer of literature as an art form, Region Jönköping County:  +46 10-2428496, +4670-2190189 henrik.hermansson@rjl.se

Please find the attached PDF for additional information.
 

On 5 December, the first meeting of the newly created expert group entrusted to support the interim evaluation of the Horizon Europe programme took place, marking its official start.

The group gathers 15 experts from across the EU, representing different fields. It will meet monthly between January and October 2024, to complement the interim evaluation of Horizon Europe with expert advice. Amongst the deliverables, there will be a preparation of a report on how the EU Framework Programme for R&I can continue to add value for the remainder of Horizon Europe and in the future. The report is expected to contain both strategic advice and concrete suggestions on how the programme can stay flexible to changing needs, and how it can stay attractive to researchers and innovators from the EU and beyond.

With ERRIN’s work on the regional dimension in R&I post-2027 ongoing, we look forward to supporting the group with inputs that are key from regional and local perspectives, together with network members.

Learn more about the expert group and its members here.

NatureScot, Scotland's nature agency, which works to improve Scotland's natural environment, is looking for partners for the Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-02-2-two-stage: Demonstrating the potential of Nature based Solutions and the New European Bauhaus to contribute to sustainable, inclusive and resilient living spaces and communities. The main aim of the project is to support the development of Nature-based Solutions (NBS), contributing to the resilience and the sustainable, balanced and inclusive development of urban, peri-urban and rural areas.

NatureScot are interested in joining an existing consortium that is looking at this project or finding partners to build a consortium with. 

To express interest, please contact Lorna Murphy (lorna.murphy@scotent.co.uk) and Alex MacKay (Alex.Mackay@nature.scot) before 5 January 2024.

NatureScot, Scotland's nature agency, which works to improve Scotland's natural environment, is looking for partners for the Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-01 - Invasive Alien species. The main aim of the project is to understand and address direct drivers of biodiversity decline, invasive alien species.

NatureScot are interested in joining an existing consortium that is looking at this project, or finding partners to build a consortium with. 

To express interest, please contact Lorna Murphy (lorna.murphy@scotent.co.uk) and Alex MacKay (Alex.Mackay@nature.scot) before the 5 January 2024.

The NATI00NS project is organising a series of online thematic events on healthy soil and sustainable management. 

The first thematic event, taking place on 14 December at 10:00 CET, will focus on the various aspects of soil sealing, particularly in urban and post-industrial soils, exploring innovative practices aimed at its reversal.

Participants and speakers will showcase exemplary ‘de-sealing’ efforts, emphasising multi-stakeholder practices, and highlighting the necessity of collaboration among governments, businesses, communities and civil society to effectively foster healthier urban ecosystems. The objective of the event is to inspire, inform and empower attendees to contribute to the EU Soil Mission and play a role in shaping the future of sustainable urban and post-industrial soils.

Learn more and register here.

Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic is searching for two Academic Research Fellows for the Department of Forest Protection and Wildlife Management, the positions will be funded by Horizon Europe - grant agreement N°101087262.

Two research fields are available:

• provision of ecosystem services by forests, forest and human well-being, promoting ecological stability in forests, the social and economic implications of declining forest health
• plant ecophysiology, ecological stability of trees and stands and root pathogens

We are looking for motivated researchers to join a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research group dedicated to forest ecosystem research led by leading scientist Professor Douglas L. Godbold. The team is studying the impacts of projected climate scenarios on Central European forests. The necessary data collection and practical research are carried out at the Masaryk Forest Enterprise in Křtiny, Czech Republic. The five-year prestigious EXCELLENTIA project started in May 2023.

Mendel University is a modern university, teaching and researching agriculture, forestry, economic and technical disciplines in regional and international contexts. Since 2018, the University has been the holder of the HR Excellence in Research Award for improving employee care, as the first Czech university by the European Commission.

The application deadline is 1 January 2024 - 23:00 (UTC).