TP Organics webinar on Horizon Europe attracts 59 participants

On 5 May 2020, TP Organics held a successful webinar about Horizon Europe, giving a preview of the EU’s next research & innovation framework programme. Based on TP Organics’ December 2019 briefing, the webinar provided TP Organics and IFOAM EU members with a better understanding of the structure and timeline of the 100 billion EUR research & innovation programme and of the Missions and European Partnerships as new instruments in Horizon Europe.

The webinar’s focus was on cluster 6, ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’ (part of pillar 2) and the Strategic Plan 2021-2024 which gives direction to the first Work Programme. Cluster 6 was explained in more detail, in particular the two intervention areas ‘Agriculture, forestry and rural areas’ and ‘Food Systems’, as were the Mission on ‘Soil Health and Food’ and the Agro-ecology Partnership (a partnership on agroecology living labs and research infrastructures). An assessment of Horizon Europe by TP Organics followed, including opportunities for research into organic and agroecological approaches as well as risks posed by the Innovation Principle.

Participants also got an insight into TP Organics’ new Position Paper, describing priority challenges and corresponding portfolios of actions for the first Work Programme of Horizon Europe. Lastly, the new Green Deal Call under Horizon 2020 was presented, including its draft timeline and structure, with a focus on Area 6, ‘Farm to Fork’ and Area 7, ‘Ecosystems and Biodiversity’.

59 participants joined the webinar, showing the organic community’s great interest in EU research & innovation. As IFOAM EU member, you can access the recorded webinar via the IFOAM EU member extranet. For more information about IFOAM EU membership, contact [email protected]. For questions about access to the IFOAM EU member extranet, contact [email protected].