Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment: two new Horizon Europe calls for proposals are open for 2026.

Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment aims to reduce environmental degradation, halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity on land, inland waters and the sea, and better manage natural resources through transformative economic and social changes in both urban and rural areas. Horizon Europe's mandate for Cluster 6 is to provide research and innovation opportunities to strengthen and balance environmental, social and economic objectives and to guide human economic activities towards sustainability.

Within Cluster 6 of Horizon Europe, proposals can be submitted for:

Call 01 – two stages (2026) (HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-two-stage) with deadlines expected for the April 16, 2026 (1^st internship) and September 23, 2026 (2^nd internship):

HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01-twostage: Living labs for the co-creation of ecosystem restoration solutions (RIA). Maximum project budget €7 million, 2 solutions selected.
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02-twostage: Open topic: Uncovering the causes of rapid decline of specific species and exploring viable solutions (RIA). Maximum project budget €3 million, 4 solutions selected.
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03-twostage: Unlocking the potential of citizen action for nature protection and restoration (IA). Maximum project budget €5 million, 2 solutions to be funded.
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-twostage: Integrating and scaling up nature-based and evidence-based solutions for a nature-positive and climate-resilient economy (RIA). Maximum project budget €6 million, 3 solutions to be funded.
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01-twostage: Implementing systemic circular solutions through living laboratories in cities and regions (topic of the Circular Cities and Regions initiative) (IA). Maximum project budget: €5 million, 2 solutions selected.
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-twostage: Open topic: Using the Circular Cities and Regions initiative to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal (IA). Maximum project budget €6 million, 3 solutions to be funded.
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage: Decontamination and bioremediation of aquatic pollution (RIA). Maximum project budget €8 million, 3 solutions to be funded.

Call 02 – two stages (2026) (HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-two-stage) with expected deadlines for April 14, 2026 (1^st internship) and September 15, 2026 (2^nd internship):

HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-01-two-stage: Open topic: Improving the competitiveness of the agricultural sector by enhancing the efficient and sustainable use of agricultural inputs (AI). Maximum project budget €4.5 million, 3 solutions to be funded.
HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-FARM2FORK-02-two-stage: Open topic: Promoting organic farming for a competitive, sustainable, and resilient agricultural sector (IA). Maximum project budget: €6 million, 2 solutions to be funded.

For more information: info@iniziativa.cc

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Success Cases

“NSS2023

Next Smart system in a marine environment

Contract: Innovation Agreement
Project cost: €6.431.394,25
Contribution to spending: €2.000.354,01
Date: September 2020

Megarideas

Contract: Campania startUp 2020
Project cost: €289.377,00
Non-refundable contribution: €202.563,90
Date: July 2022

MAGYCO

MEMS based appliance for gyro compassing in general aviation and unmanned aircraft applications equipment in the area of homeland security

Program: Horizon - SME Instrument
Project cost: €70.000
Contribution: €50.000
Date: 2016

MUNICIPALITY OF MATERA – Business Process Reengineering

Reorganization of the activities and processes of the offices in which the organization is organized with the aim of improving the offer of services provided to users with a view to optimizing the available resources and the digital transition

Sector: Local authorities - Organizational and process reengineering
Date: 2022

Leonardo Smart

Contract: Campania startUp 2020
Project cost: €212.500,00
Non-refundable contribution: €148.750,00
Date: December 2023

Municipality of Ragusa

Technical support for the development and verification of the economic and financial rebalancing conditions of the concession stipulated with Porto Turistico Marina di Ragusa SpA

Date: 2020-2025/XNUMX/XNUMX

SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENTS SOLACEM

Creation of new innovative and sustainable entrepreneurial investments aimed at encouraging the completion of the technological and digital transformation of the company towards strategic areas for competitiveness and sustainable growth

Contract: Sustainable Investments 4.0
Project cost: €2.804.437,61
Non-refundable contribution: €1.402.218,80
Date: December 2022

Giffoni Innovation Hub

CDP Ventur Capital, Opes Lcef Trust and Sefea Impact enter the capital of Giffoni Innovation Hub. Iniziativa assisted Giffoni as a financial and strategic advisor.

Sector: Academic & Educational Services
Deal: 2.000.000,00
Date: 2022

Witapp

Development and implementation of an innovative system for managing pharmaceutical warehouses, departments, and operating rooms, and streamlining healthcare logistics to support the management of the drug and disposable medical device cycle for the Lecce Local Health Authority.

Date: 2025

Corporate training

Support for the organization and delivery of the training program aimed at strengthening the capacity building of local public administrations in the field of Public Private Partnership (PPP)

Sector: Public Participate - capacity building of local authorities
Date: 2021

MUNICIPALITY OF LUCCA – PORTA ELISA STADIUM

Technical assistance to the Grantor in the evaluation of a Project Financing proposal relating to a "Recovery with demolition and reconstruction of the "Porta Elisa Municipal Stadium" of Lucca and restoration of the historic grandstand" presented pursuant to Law 147/2013 and subsequently adjusted in compliance to Legislative Decree 38/2021

Sector: Sports Facilities PPP
Date: 2021

EOS LAUNCH VEHICLE

Contract: Campania startUp 2020
Project cost: €391.324,00
Contribution: €273.926,80
Date: July 2023

ROMAN GROUP

Design and support for the implementation of the economic-financial control and management control system, the design of a KPI dashboard for monitoring company performance and the optimization of organizational processes

Sector: Call Center
Date: 2023

Luc-Me

Large UAS Conversion – Mro Enhancement

Contract: Major R&D Projects
Project cost: €4.837.833,32
Non-refundable contribution: €2.994.688,75
Date: August 2021

Business organization

Support in perfecting the business model, optimizing the organizational structure and company functions, assessing skills and plan to increase professionalism for listing on Euronext Growth Paris

Sector: Telecommunications
Turnover: €1.425.000
Date: 2022

Medaarch

Iniziativa, as financial advisor, assisted Meedarch in the spin-off of the Mediterranea business unit and negotiated the entry of a new investor into the NewCo.

Sector: Architecture and design
Deal: Undisclosed
Date: 2024

San Michele SRL Nursing Home

The company has acquired additional diagnostic equipment to expand the services offered.

Contract: ZES Credit - Article 16 of Legislative Decree 19.09.2023 n. 124
Project cost: €850.920,00
Contribution: €340.367,00

RECREATE

Recovery of aeronautical waste from the perspective of industry 4.0 and sustainability

Contract: Innovation Agreement
Project cost: €5.287.587,09
Contribution to spending: €2.908.522,09
Date: July 2022

Diadem

Distributed Advanced Energy Management Application

Contract: Campania startUp 2020
Project cost: €427.084,00
Contribution: €298.958,80
Date: September 2023

Palitalsoft (VAR Group)

Integrated IT Services Management Project with network infrastructure for the Val Conca Union and other municipalities in the Province of Rimini

Date: 2023-2025/XNUMX/XNUMX

Dolciaria Acquaviva SpA

Development of new products and services, also for the innovative contents that are introduced compared to industry standards, and capable of satisfying the needs and trends of customers/consumers; as well as maximizing levels of production and management efficiency.

Contract: Development Contract
Project cost: €32.136.493,50
Non-refundable contribution: €11.473.195,00
Concessionary Financing: €2.643.220,00
Date: July 2019

Pisa Sporting Club

Redevelopment project and subsequent management of the "Arena Garibaldi" stadium in Pisa

Date: 2025

Management control and company organization

Design and support for the implementation of the management control system, the KPI dashboard for monitoring company performance and the optimization of the organizational structure and organizational and compliance processes from an ESG perspective

Sector: Production of Plastic Materials
Date: 2023

Be.CULTOUR

Beyond CULtural TOURism: human-centred innovations for sustainable and circular cultural tourism

Program: Horizon
Project cost: €4.097.203,75
Contribution: €3.993.328,75
Date: February 2021

Evolutionary upgrading of the models in the assortment

Contract: Innovation Agreement
Project cost: €6.164.816,25
Contribution to spending: €2.073.702,19
Date: July 2022

Technical assistance

Administrative and accounting assistance service for obtaining and reporting financial benefits deriving from community, national and local regulations provided by the Puglia Region

Sector: Publicly owned companies - strengthening of production infrastructures
Date: 2021

Empoli Football Club

Construction of the new Empoli FC stadium using the procedure established by Legislative Decree 38/2021

Date: 2024

SURE5.0

Supporting the smes SUstainability and REsilience transition towards industry 5.0 in the mobility, transport & automotive, aerospace and electronics European ecosystems

Program: Horizon
Project cost: €4.988.125,00
Contribution: €4.988.125,00
Date: June 2022

Comesvil SpA

The private equity fund Auctus Capital Partners has acquired 65% of Comesvil, an Italian excellence in the railway sector, Iniziativa supported the sellers in the deal.

Sector: Railway Construction
Deal: Undisclosed
Date: 2023

South Tyrol Health Authority

Technical assistance to the Grantor in the evaluation of a Project Financing proposal relating to an intervention for the "Supply of energy carriers (hot water, steam, electricity) for the San Maurizio hospital in Bolzano"

Sector: Healthcare company PPP
Date: 2021

€1.9 billion Production investments supported | €435 billion Investments in Research & Innovation subsidized | 200 active customers with hundreds of completed transactions | 100 Project Financing/PPP Operations Supported | €1.9 billion Production investments supported | €435 billion Investments in Research & Innovation subsidized | 200 active customers with hundreds of completed transactions | 100 Project Financing/PPP Operations Supported |