Regulation on nature restoration: What does it imply?
On the 27th of February 2024, the European Parliament narrowly approved the Regulation on Nature Restoration by 329 votes in favour, 275 against and 24 abstentions. However, it was not until the 17th of June 2024 when the European Council, not without internal debate between countries (Finland, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden rejected the regulation, while Belgium abstained), finally gave the green light to its approval. Finally, on the 18th of August 2024, this Regulation came into force in the EU.GoalsUnder the new Regulation, Member States must restore at least 30% of habitats (from forests, grasslands and wetlands [...]
Innovation and sustainability in Europe’s agriculture and bioeconomy in 2024
2024 has been a breakthrough for innovation and sustainability in the European agri-food sector. From disruptive technologies to initiatives that seek to revolutionise the bioeconomy, 2024 has positioned itself as a turning point for the countryside. Spain, as the agricultural leader in southern Europe, has not been left behind.The revolution in agriculture and its drive towards sustainabilityThe digital era has taken over the agricultural sector, and 2024 is the year when precision agriculture reaches a new level. Tools such as advanced sensors, drones and IoT (Internet of Things) systems, which not only monitor the weather and soil, but also predict [...]
2024: A Year to Remember at Innovarum
As we approach the end of 2024, it’s time to reflect on an incredible year full of milestones, achievements, and memorable moments for Innovarum. From impactful campaigns to exciting project launches and closures, here’s a recap of our journey throughout the year: January: Starting the Year in Portugal We kicked off the year with strength by hosting the OLEAF4VALUE Stakeholder Meeting and General Assembly in Bragança, Portugal. This event brought together key partners to discuss progress and prepare for the project’s final phase. February: First Steps for OrganicClimateNet February marked the official start of OrganicClimateNet, with its inaugural partner [...]
Tackling specific requirements in CBE JU project proposals
The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is a partnership between the European Union and the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) that aims to promote a competitive European circular bio-based industry. In line with this objective, CBE JU offers funding opportunities for projects developing innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions. CBE JU project proposals follow the rules and procedures of Horizon Europe (HE), the EU’s research and innovation programme. However, there are some specific requirements to this call, further described in the work programme. Although these requirements may vary slightly between different calls, most of them have been consistent across [...]
Visit a successful agrotourism business in Madrid: El Capriolo
As part of MainstreamBIO, Innovarum brings together stakeholders from different EU regions to share and learn about successful rural business models and experiences from other countries. For this event, we have chosen the rural initiative El Capriolo, a business that combines its agricultural and livestock activities with tourist experiences in a rural area. Join us next week at El Capriolo to explore sustainable and successful agrotourism! During this event, we will discuss key topics such as identifying and overcoming the main barriers in agrotourism, the characteristics of a successful agrotourism initiative, the mutual benefits between agrotourism and ecotourism, and the [...]
Insects: a protein source with the potential to revolutionise the food industry
Today, current dietary patterns highly rely on meat, dairy and fish products due to their unique nutritional profile, as certain proteins, vitamins and fats are only present in these products. Together, they contribute to 37% of the global protein intake. However, these traditional dietary patterns currently generate a negative environmental impact by using 83% of the world’s farmland and contributing to generate 58% of food production-related GHG emissions[1]. This situation is extremally worrying for meat products, as livestock alone is responsible for 15.4% of total GHG emissions globally. [1] European of Journal Nutrition (2024). Meeting the global protein supply [...]
Seize Global Opportunities with Innowwide: Funding for Innovative SMEs
Expanding into international markets can be one of the most exciting—and challenging—growth opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With the Innowwide program, European SMEs now have access to funding that helps them explore new markets, reduce risks, and validate the commercial potential of their innovative products, processes, or services. What is Innowwide and How Does It Work? Innowwide is a European initiative designed to support SMEs looking to expand internationally by providing funding for feasibility studies. These studies help businesses assess the viability of their innovations in new global markets, offering a chance to test or launch projects [...]
Understanding Third Parties in Horizon Europe Projects: Budgeting and Reporting Costs
Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding program for research and innovation, fostering collaboration across borders and sectors. A vital component of many Horizon Europe projects is the involvement of third parties. Understanding who these third parties are, how they can participate, and how to budget and report their costs is essential for successful project management. In this blog post, we’ll clarify the different types of third parties, including in-kind contributions, and offer guidelines for budgeting and reporting, referencing the Annotated Model Grant Agreement (AMGA) for deeper insights. Who are Third Parties? In the context of Horizon Europe, third parties [...]
Launch of the European Project LIFE CHANDELIER
Zaragoza, October 4, 2024 – In September 2024, the LIFE CHANDELIER Project began its mission to promote the sustainable production of vehicle biogas in rural areas. This innovative initiative, with a budget of 3.9 million euros over three years, represents a significant step towards sustainability in the transport sector and sustainable rural development. Coordinated by the Aragonese Food and Nutrition Cluster, the LIFE CHANDELIER project will have a high impact thanks to a strategic consortium composed of a leading meat sector company, innovative renewable gas companies, and technology centers specialized in bioenergy production and agri-food waste management: GUCO (Grupo Arcoiris), [...]
Turning Waste into Wealth: Innovative Uses for Agrifood “Losses”
The total volume of organic matter lost or wasted in agriculture and industry for food production, hereinafter referred to as agrifood losses, is immense. Considering only the edible fraction, 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost or wasted globally each year (UNEP). Agrifood losses occur throughout the entire value chain. Harvests suffer from adverse weather events (e.g. freezes, floods) and pests, while edible parts are discarded in the fields due to surplus production or failure to meet commercial standards. Additionally, large quantities of agricultural residues such as stems and leaves are left behind, along with side streams from industrial [...]