Horizon 2020 14 October 2013 DG Agriculture and Rural Development European Commission
Agriculture faces increasing challenges Challenges Economic Environmental Territorial Economic challenges Food security (growth in food demand) Slowdown in productivity growth Price/income volatility Demand concerns (food chain, economic crisis) Environmental challenges GHG emissions Soil depletion Water/air quality Habitats and biodiversity Territorial challenges Vitality of rural areas Diversity of EU agriculture Investing more in agricultural research (twice more resources) and fostering innovation 2
Providing the knowledge base to support the sector to address these challenges FAS Horizon 2020 European Innovation Partnership Rural Development measures 3
Main architecture of Horizon 2020 Excellent science European Research Council Future and Emerging Technologies Marie Curie (skills, training and career development) European Research Infrastructures Industrial leadership Leadership in enabling and industrial technologies Access to risk finance Innovation in SMEs Societal Challenges 1. Health, demographic change and wellbeing 2. Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bio-economy 3. Secure, clean and efficient energy 4. Smart, green and integrated transport 5. Climate action, resource efficiency and raw materials 6. Europe in a changing world inclusive, innovative and reflective societies 7. Secure societies protecting freedom and security Spreading excellence and widening participation European Institute of Innovation and Technology JRC 4
Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2 "Food security, sustainable agriculture, marine and maritime resources & the bioeconomy" The specific objective is to secure sufficient supplies of safe and high quality food and other bio-based products, by developing productive and resource efficient primary production systems, fostering related ecosystem services, alongside competitive and low carbon supply chains. This will accelerate the transition to a sustainable European bio-economy Sustainable agriculture and forestry Sustainable and competitive agri-food sector for a safe and healthy diet Unlocking the potential of aquatic living resources Sustainable and competitive bio-based industries Cross-cutting marine and maritime research 5
Horizon 2020: main research priorities in agriculture and forestry Sustainable agriculture: enhancing food security and the provision of public goods Green growth: resource efficient and competitive production systems along the value chain Preventing and controlling pests and diseases Climate smart agriculture: mitigating and adapting to climate change Fostering the sustainability of forestry Balanced development of rural areas Support to policies 6
How will Horizon 2020 work? Calls for proposals Research and innovation projects: min. 3 partners from 3 Member States SME instrument: single SMEs on innovation actions with EU dimension Proposal for two-year work programme: work programmes 2014 and 2015 to be published before the end of the year DG AGRI formally part of the research family and will be coresponsible for research management 7
Using Horizon 2020 to foster innovation in agriculture and rural areas Basic and applied research enhancing the knowledge base Close-to-user activities (farm experiments, demonstrations and pilots) Fostering co-creation of knowledge in research and innovation projects through the so-called "multi-actor approach" Fostering knowledge exchange through multi-national Thematic Networks Establishment of research and innovation priorities taking account of the needs channeled through the European Innovation Partnership 8
The EIP shortly The Europe 2020 Flagship Initiative "Innovation Union" specifies European Innovation Partnerships (EIP) as a new tool for fostering innovation through linking existing policies and instruments Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (Communication Feb 2012) Overarching concept drawing on RD and Research funds (et al) Based on interactive innovation model Key entities: Operational Groups EIP network for communication, partnering and knowledge flows
The European Innovation Partnership The agricultural EIP goes far beyond speeding up transfer "from laboratory to market" through diffusion of new scientific knowledge (referred to as a "linear innovation model"). OGs are action and result oriented hands-on groups (no balanced representation needed) to maximise interaction for co-creation and cross-fertilisation (interactive innovation model) An OG builds itself around a concrete innovation project targeted towards finding a solution for a specific issue or developing an innovation opportunity. An EIP operational group (OG) may be composed of farmers, advisors, researchers, businesses, and other actors as useful for the project objectives An OG may have various sources of funding: Horizon 2020 National Funds Rural Development ERDF Private Funds 10
The EIP Network Function The EIP Service Point Collect information (research and innovation projects etc.) and best innovation practices Effective flow of information (website, databases on research results and best practice) Give advice on opportunities within policies (helpdesk function) Sharing knowledge on concrete practical work and connect actors Systematic feedback to the scientific community about practice needs (Art.12 H2020)
Concluding comments Challenges faced by agriculture call for ambitious research and innovation at national and EU levels Better links between research and agricultural practice are necessary to foster innovation The new CAP and Horizon 2020 are coming with instruments and resources to contribute to this endeavour 12