COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Guidance on EU funding opportunities for healthy soils Accompanying the proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Soil Monitoring and Resilience (Soil Monitoring Law)
Date: 2023-07-05
Institutions: Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission
Subjects: conservation of resources, degradation of the environment, environmental monitoring, soil improvement, soil pollution, soil protection, soil resources

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 5.7.2023  SWD(2023) 423 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Guidance on EU funding opportunities for healthy soils Accompanying the proposal for a  Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Soil Monitoring and Resilience  (Soil Monitoring Law)  {COM(2023) 416 final} - {SEC(2023) 416 final} - {SWD(2023) 416 final} - {SWD(2023) 417 final} - {SWD(2023) 418 final}  
 
 
Disclaimer: The presentation of some of the EU funding opportunities included in this guidance builds on the 
text  included  in  the  fiches  of  these  funding  opportunities  in  a  separately  developed  guide  ‘Find  your  EU 
funding  programme  for  the  environment.  Supporting  the  environment  under  the  2021-2027  multiannual 
financial framework and NextGenerationEU. The relevant text was adapted and amended to ensure its focus 
on  soil  policy.  Furthermore,  information  included  in  the  funding  fiches  builds  on  official  sites  and 
documentation of the European Commission which are referenced in the specific sections below. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1 

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 

1.1  What is this guidance? ...................................................................................... 1 
1.2  Who is this guidance for? .................................................................................. 3 

2  How to use this guidance? .......................................................................................... 3 

2.1  Overview of the EU funding opportunities covered in this guidance ............... 4 
2.2 

Identifying the appropriate funding opportunities by Theme, type of beneficiary 
and type of activity ............................................................................................ 9 

3  Overview of key EU funding opportunities .............................................................. 17 

3.1 
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 17 
3.2  Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” .................................................................. 18 
3.3  Horizon Europe ............................................................................................... 22 
3.3.1  Horizon Europe Pillar I ‘Excellent Science’ ..................................... 24 
3.3.2  Horizon  Europe  Pillar  II  ‘Global  challenges  and  European  industrial 

competitiveness’ ................................................................................ 31 
3.3.3  Horizon Europe Pillar III ‘Innovative Europe’.................................. 34 
3.4  The Common Agriculture Policy .................................................................... 42 

3.4.1 

3.5.1 
3.5.2 

Funding the CAP: the European Agriculture Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and 
the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).. 44 
3.5  Cohesion Policy Funds (CPF) ......................................................................... 50 
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) .............................. 52 
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)  – Interreg programmes
 ........................................................................................................... 56 
3.5.3  Cohesion Fund .................................................................................. 60 
Just Transition Fund (JTF) ................................................................ 63 
3.5.4 
3.6  Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) .............................. 65 
3.7  Technical Support Instrument (TSI) ............................................................... 70 
3.8  Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) ........................................................ 73 
InvestEU .......................................................................................................... 76 
3.9 

4  Overview of additional EU funding opportunities that might target soil health ....... 80 

4.1 
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 80 
4.2  Erasmus+ ......................................................................................................... 80 
4.3  The European Solidarity Corps ....................................................................... 83 
4.4  Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)

 ......................................................................................................................... 85 
Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) ............................................................... 88 
4.5 
4.6  TAIEX-Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) Peer TO Peer ........... 91 

2 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIST OF TABLES 

Table 2-1 Outline for overview of the key funding opportunities covered within the guidance 
with reference to their relevance to soil health and location within the document ..... 5 

Table 2-2 EU funding opportunities identified to be relevant for specific activity types and 
beneficiaries .............................................................................................................. 10 

Table 2-3 Detailed overview of the soil health themes ..................................................... 14 

Table 3-1 Summary of information given for each funding opportunity ......................... 17 

LIST OF BOXES 

Box 1-1 Communication on the EU Soil Strategy for 2030: ‘Reaping the benefits of healthy 
soils for people, food, nature and climate’ – EU Soil Health Strategy ....................... 1 

Box  1-2  Guide:  Find  your  EU  funding  programme  for  the  environment.  Supporting  the 
environment  under  the  2021-2027  Multiannual  Financial  Framework  (MFF)  and 
NextGenerationEU ...................................................................................................... 2 

Box 2-1 Further information on type of activities ............................................................ 15 

Box 2-2 Further information on type of beneficiaries ...................................................... 16 

3 

 
 
 
 
 
AAP 
CAP 
CINEA 
DG AGRI 
DG NEAR 
DG REFORM 
DG REGIO 

DN 
DNSH 

EACEA 
EAFRD 
EAGF 
EBRD 
EC 
EFSD+ 
EIB 
EIC 
EIE 
EIP-AGRI 

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 

Annual Action Plan 
Common Agricultural Policy 
European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency 
Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development 
Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations 
Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support 
Directorate-General  for  Regional  and  Urban  Policy  for  cross-border 
cooperation programmes 
Doctoral Networks 
Do No Significant Harm 

European Education and Culture Executive Agency 
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development 
European Agricultural Guarantee Fund 
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development 
European Commission 
European Fund for Sustainable Development 
European Investment Bank 
European Innovation Council 
European Innovation Ecosystems 
European  Innovation  Partnership  for  Agricultural  Productivity  and 
Sustainability 

EIR PEER 2 PEER 
EISMEA 
EIT 
ERC 
ERDF 
ESF+ 
EU 
GAEC 
GHG 
IEEP 

Environmental Implementation Review Peer to Peer Tool 
European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency 
European Institute of Innovation and Technology 
European Research Council 
European Regional and Development Fund 
European Social Fund Plus 
European Union 
Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions 
Greenhouse gases 
Institute for European Environmental Policy 

IPA 
IPARD 
JTF 
JTM 
KIC 
KPI 
LIFE 
MA 

Instrument for Pre-Accession 
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for Rural Development 
Just Transition Fund 
Just Transition Mechanism 
Knowledge and Innovation Communities 
Key Performance Indicator 
Programme For Environment and Climate Action 
Managing authority 

4 

 
 
MAES 
MAWP 
MFF 
MIP 
MSCA 
NDICI 
NGO 
OID 
PF 

POs 
PPP 
R&I 
REA 
RIS 
RRF 
RRP 
SDGs 
SE 
SGA 
SIP 

SLM 
SME 
SMR 
SNAP 
SOC 
SPVs 
TEN-T 
TSI 
TAIEX 

Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystem Services 
Multiannual Work Programme 
Multiannual Financial Framework 
Multi-annual Indicative Programme 
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions 
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument 
Non-governmental organisation 
Organisation ID 
Postdoctoral fellowships 

Policy objectives 
Public–private partnership 
Research and Innovation 
European Research Executive Agency 
Research Infrastructures 
Recovery and Resilience Facility 
Recovery and Resilience Plan 
Sustainable Development Goals 
Staff exchanges 
Specific grant agreement 
Strategic Integrated Project 

Sustainable land management 
Small and medium enterprise 
Statutory Management Requirements 
Strategic Nature Project 
Soil organic carbon 
Special-purpose vehicles 
Trans-European networks in the area of transport infrastructure 
Technical Support Instrument 
Technical Assistance and Information Exchange 

5 

 
 
 
 
1 

INTRODUCTION  

1.1  What is this guidance? 

Soils are an important part of the European Union’s (EU’s) natural capital, supporting a wide range 
of ecosystem services such as clean water, production of food and fibre, climate regulation, cycling 
nutrients providing habitats and acting as a platform and cultural service for human activity. However, 
a  series  of  pressures,  including  unsustainable  agricultural  practices,  poor  soil  management, 
development and urbanisation, poor water treatment and sewerage practices,  often in combination 
with climate change, have contributed to the degradation of Union’s soils. 

Seeking  to  improve  the  condition  of  EU  soils,  the  European  Commission  (EC)  has  adopted  the 
Communication on the EU Soil Strategy for 2030: ‘Reaping the benefits of healthy soils for people, 
food, nature and climate’ – commonly known as the ‘EU Soil Strategy1 (November 2021), see Box 
1-1. At its core, it seeks to ensure that by 2050 all EU soil ecosystems are in healthy condition and 
thus more resilient, and that protection, sustainable use and restoration of soils have become the norm. 
Therefore, the Strategy includes key measures for sustainable soil use, the avoidance of land sealing, 
a target to halve the drainage of peatlands, restoration of contaminated sites, and tighter monitoring 
and reporting obligations for EU countries. It also sets several qualitative medium-term and long-
term targets, building on synergies and common goals in other environmental areas. 

Box 1-1 Communication on the EU Soil Strategy for 2030: ‘Reaping the benefits of healthy soils for 
people, food, nature and climate’ – EU Soil Health Strategy 

The new EU Soil Strategy for 2030 is a key deliverable of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, 
which aims to put Europe’s biodiversity on the path to recovery by 2030 for the benefit of people, 
climate and the planet. It also contributes to the objectives of the European Green Deal.  
The vision and objectives of the EU Soil Strategy are to achieve good soil health by 2050, setting 
up a framework and concrete measures to protect and restore soils by 2030, and ensure that they are 
used sustainably. It also announces a new Soil Health Law by 2023 to ensure a level playing field 
and a high level of environmental and health protection.  
The EU Soil Strategy aims to ensure that, by 2050: 

  All EU soil ecosystems are healthy and more resilient and can therefore continue to provide 

their crucial services. 

  There is no net land take, and soil pollution is reduced to levels that are no longer harmful to 

people’s health or ecosystems. 

  Protecting soils, managing them sustainably and restoring degraded soils.  

In order to achieve its objectives, the EU Soil Strategy recognises that funding is vital to enable a 
transition  to  healthy  soils.  This  guidance  document  contributes  to  this  goal  by  presenting  an 
overview of the 2021-2027 EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) funding opportunities 
available  for  the  protection,  sustainable  management,  and  restoration  of  soils,  as  well  as 
information on other practical considerations such as funding conditions and outlines the process for 
accessing  the  funding.  Furthermore,  it  also  contributes  to  the  Strategy’s  aim  of  increasing  soil 
literacy,  engagement  and  awareness  among  a  wide  range  of  stakeholders,  including  not  only 

1 More information on the EU Soil Strategy is available at: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/soil-and-land/soil-strategy_en  

1 

 
 
 
                                                 
practitioners - farmers, foresters, developers, landowners - but also public authorities, academia and 
many others. 

The  EU  Soil  Strategy  is  closely  linked  –  and  works  in  line  with  –  many  other  EU  policies  and 
objectives  stemming  from  the  European  Green  Deal2,  including  climate  neutrality,  biodiversity 
restoration, zero pollution, human health, sustainable food systems, and a resilient environment. This 
guidance document focuses on soil health aspects, however, many funding opportunities support and 
contribute  to  wider  ecosystem  services  co-benefits,  which  are  also  briefly  identified  herein.  For 
further information on more EU funding opportunities for the environment, a separate complementary 
guide – Find your EU funding programme for the environment. Supporting the environment under 
the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework and NextGenerationEU – has been developed by the 
EC,  meant  for  a  wider  audience,  that  you  may  decide  to  review  while  searching  for  the  funding 
opportunity that best matches your needs (see Box 1-2).  

Box 1-2 Guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment. Supporting the environment 
under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and NextGenerationEU 

The guide3 contributes to promoting the uptake and efficient use of EU funding for the environment 
by presenting an overview of the EU funding and financing opportunities under the 2021-2027 MFF 
and  NextGenerationEU,  as  well  as  technical  assistance,  for  projects  contributing  to  the 
environmental  objectives  of  the  European  Green  Deal.  This  guide  provides  an  overview  of  EU 
funding  opportunities  for  projects  that  benefit  the  environment  directly  (e.g.,  projects  to  protect 
water  or  air  from  pollution)  or  indirectly  by  integrating  environmental  aspects  in  a  cross-cutting 
manner  into  non-environmental  projects  (e.g.  increasing  resource  efficiency  in  enterprises, 
promoting the use of renewable energy in construction projects or accounting for the protection of 
biodiversity in infrastructure projects). 

This guidance is divided into four chapters: 

  The first introduces you to the purpose and scope of the guidance within the ‘EU Soil Strategy’ 
and the European Green Deal context, highlighting its complementarity with the Guide ‘Find 
your  EU  funding  programme  for  the  environment.  Supporting  the  environment  under  the 
2021-2027 MFF and NextGenerationEU’ and sets out its targeted audience.  

  The second chapter includes elements that might influence your choice of funding opportunity 
based on your specific project objectives/activity requirements. It presents instructions on how 
to best take advantage of this guidance, giving a clear overview of its structure and including 
shortcuts for accessing information by EU funding opportunities, by type of beneficiary and 
by type of activity.  

  The  third  chapter  provides  you  with  a  comprehensive  description  of  the  key  EU  funding 
opportunities and other key instruments for healthy soils in the form of informative fiches. 
The  focus  of  each  of  these  is  on  their  relevance  to  soil  and  soil  health  aspects,  with  brief 
descriptions of other environmental concerns and opportunities for wider ecosystem services. 

2 More information on the European Green Deal is available at: https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en  
3  Find  your  EU  funding  programme  for  the  environment  is  available  in  English,  French  and  German.  You  can  download  each  translation  at: 
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/33b54f0d-0251-11ed-acce-01aa75ed71a1   

2 

 
 
 
                                                 
  Following the same principles, the fourth and final chapter provides an overview of additional, 
broader EU funding opportunities that have larger objectives but may have relevance to soil 
health as well. 

1.2  Who is this guidance for? 

  Are you a landowner working on improving sustainable land management practices on your 

land?  

  Are you a small and medium enterprise (SME) looking for funding to start a project on soil 

health issues?  

  Are you carrying out research on innovative soil management practices?  

In  that  case,  you  probably  have  many  things  to  consider  and  decisions  to  make.  This  guidance 
provides  you  with  a  starting  point  and  sets  out  what  you  should  take  into  account  when  seeking 
funding for healthy soils. It is designed to be a concise and practical reference for stakeholders seeking 
EU funding in  relation  to  various aspects  of soil health (i.e. soil protection, restoration) including 
implementation and support activities.  

It is particularly intended for: 

  Practitioners  and/or 
management practices; 

landholders  seeking  support 

to 

implement  sustainable  soil 

  Competent  authorities  seeking  support  for  implementation  at  national  level  (including 

regional and local implementation);  

  Researchers  and  academia  seeking  support  to  develop  new  or  improved  techniques  or 

technology to protect or restore soils; and 

  Businesses and  NGOs/civil  society  organisations  both  interested  and/or  working  in  fields 

related to soil health.  

EU funding is mobilised by a suite of budget programmes and funds which are managed differently 
with  varying  eligibility  criteria  (or  conditions  to  be  fulfilled)  to  access  funding  and  different 
application  processes  (i.e.  application  calls,  procedures  to  be  followed).  The  information  this 
guidance provides of the 2021-2027 MFF funding opportunities could support your land management 
project or research but will also make you aware of the potential array of wider ecosystem services 
co-benefits which these EU funding opportunities support.  

2  HOW TO USE THIS GUIDANCE?  

To facilitate access to EU funding for soil health-related projects/activities, this guidance provides 
key  information  on  the  EU  funding  programmes  and  instruments,  that  is  of  practical  use  to 
practitioners  and/or  researchers,  competent  authorities,  NGOs,  businesses  (including  both  large 
enterprises and SMEs) and other interested stakeholders. For the specific purposes of this guidance 
the focus is on funding opportunities relevant or contributing to soil health. For each of these EU 
funding opportunities and instruments, information on the objectives and scope, components, volume 
of funding, type of management, eligible beneficiaries, and projects is provided. The guidance sets 
out the eligibility criteria and basic steps of the application process. It also provides brief mention of 
other ecosystem services co-benefits. 

All this information will help you judge the relevance of each funding opportunity considering your 
specific objectives. Moreover, it will also allow you to gain or expand your knowledge of the funding 

3 

 
 
 
programmes that not only target soil and soil health aspects but also contribute to objectives of wider 
ecosystem services such as water, air, biodiversity, climate, food security, nutrient cycling, etc. This 
can also provide you with further ideas of how your own project, activity or research can also have 
wider environmental impacts beyond those related to soil. 

For some funding programmes, the guidance also presents examples of types of projects that have 
been implemented with the financial support of the fund in question or possible projects which can 
be funded. These examples are intended to illustrate for you what can be achieved with the funding 
and what the main elements of a successful application might be. Finally, the guidance provides links 
to additional sources of information, such as the EC’s web pages where you can find announcements 
for specific calls as they are issued and any other information that is not contained in this guidance, 
as well as specific options for technical assistance related to each funding programme. 

2.1  Overview of the EU funding opportunities covered in this guidance 

In order to aid interested stakeholders in their search for EU funding opportunities that target different 
aspects of soil health, this guidance has identified and separated into two different categories: 

  Key EU funding opportunities – those that have specific components that target soil health 
related  themes,  such  as  research  and  innovation,  knowledge  sharing  and  demonstration, 
implementation of improved Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices, infrastructure 
and/or equipment investment  

  Additional EU funding opportunities that might be related to soil although this is not their 
focused priority. These are either broader in scope or are considered of less relevance to soil 
health, however can provide capacity building, training, education, expertise and technical 
assistance.  These  include  Erasmus+,  The  European  Solidarity  Corps,  Neighbourhood, 
Development  and  International  Cooperation  Instrument  (NDICI),  Instrument  for  Pre-
Accession (IPA), Technical Assistance and Information Exchange (TAIEX) - Environmental 
Implementation Review Peer to Peer Tool (EIR PEER 2 PEER).4  

Table  2-1  below  presents  an  overview  of  the  key  EU  funding  opportunities  covered  within  the 
guidance with reference to their relevance to soil health, and its location within the document (Chapter 
3). It is worth noting that, in terms of the available volume of funding, the majority of the listed funds 
do not earmark or provide specific figures for soil relevant activities and practices.  

at 

aiming 

funding 

remediating 

environmental  pollution 

soil 
Any  EU 
restoration/remediation activities) are only to be awarded where it has first been confirmed that this 
does  not  contradict  the  'Polluter  Pays  Principle'  (PPP),  and  wherever  possible  Member  State 
authorities should ensure that polluters bear the cost of their pollution. The PPP underlies the EU’s 
environmental policy and requires that polluters should bear the costs of their pollution including the 
cost of measures taken to prevent, control, and remedy pollution, and the costs it imposes on society. 
There are many cases where PPP may not be fully implemented.5 These include: 

(including 

4 This guidance is focused on EU funding opportunities and so does not cover private funding; however, users may want to be aware that there are 
additional sources of funding available that can provide support for healthy soils. This includes the 'Test your soil for free' initiative, under which the 
EU provides guidance to Member States to set up activities under which their farmers and other actors could get to know more about soil health; and, 
the ' EU Carbon farming’ initiative which can increase private investment into carbon capture in soils, and improve soil health.  
5 European Court of Auditors (2021) Special Report on The Polluter Pays Principle: Inconsistent application across EU environmental policies and 
actions 

4 

 
 
  
                                                 
  Cases of “orphan” pollution (pollution that took place in the past and where the PPP cannot 
be applied because the polluter is either unknown, no longer exists, or cannot be made liable), 

  Cases of contamination from before 2007, and 

  Cases of land damage that does not constitute a risk to human health (it would only require 

remediation in case and to the extent the pollution constitutes a risk to human health). 

The most significant sources of orphan pollution are former industrial activities, that contaminated 
soils with metals, tars, and other dangerous substances. 

Public funding is also available in certain cases including6: 

  Where the investment is intended to exceed EU standards, 

 

Increasing environmental protection in the absence of any such standard, and 

  Preparation to comply with future EU standards. 

Table 2-1 Outline for overview of the key funding opportunities covered within the guidance 
with reference to their relevance to soil health and location within the document 

Funding Programme 

Relevance to soil health 

Page 
number  

Between 60-70% of EU soils are classified as 
unhealthy.  As  the  foundation  of  the  food 
system  and  vital  support  of  biodiversity, 
clean  water  and  our  cultural  heritage  and 
landscapes,  soil  must  be  carefully  managed 
and protected to build resilience and protect 
ecosystems.  Mission  ‘A  Soil  Deal  for 
Europe’ funds projects to protect and restore 
soil health by 2030 by: 

  Funding  an  ambitious  research  and 

innovation programme  

  Develop a network of 100 living labs 

and lighthouses  

  Developing a harmonised framework 

for soil monitoring in Europe 

  Raising  awareness  on 
importance of soils. 

the  vital 

Research  and  innovation  are  critical  in 
finding solutions to soil health challenges. It 
is  crucial  to  develop  the  creation  and 
diffusion of high-quality new knowledge and 
innovation in Europe to ensure the uptake of 

18 

22 

EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” 
(supported by Horizon Europe)7 

Horizon Europe 

6 Ibid. 
7 This Mission is supported by Horizon Europe, but for the purpose of this guidance the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” is analysed and presented 
separately as it is a flagship initiative for soil. 

5 

 
 
 
                                                 
Funding Programme 

Relevance to soil health 

Page 
number  

innovative solutions, reinforce the impact of 
research and innovation  in addressing EU’s 
priorities  and  strengthen 
the  European 
research  area.  This  programme  provides  a 
number  of  opportunities  to  fund  soil  health 
knowledge 
research, 
dissemination  activities.  Horizon  Europe  is 
made up of three pillars: 

innovation 

and 

  Pillar I – Excellent Science (page 24) 
  Pillar II  –  Global  challenges  and 
European  industrial  competitiveness 
(page 31) 

  Pillar  III  –  Innovative  Europe  (page 

34) 

The  new  CAP  (2023-2027)  has  higher 
environmental ambitions and will contribute 
to the EU Green Deal, Farm to Fork strategy 
and Biodiversity Strategy. Basic standards of 
farming 
soil  management,  support 
activities  beneficial  for  soil  health  and 
investment  in  soil  health  are  important 
elements of the CAP. Climate targets related 
to  carbon  sequestration  are  also  relevant  to 
soil.  

for 

and 

green 

Interreg’s 

The  European  Regional  Development 
Fund’s  and 
second  policy 
objective  relates  to  green  investments  and 
can  cover  funding  for  projects  enhancing 
protection  and  preservation  of  nature, 
biodiversity 
infrastructure, 
including  in  urban  areas,  and  reducing  all 
forms  of  pollution.  Projects  promoting  the 
sustainable  management  of  soils  can  apply 
for  funding  under  these  objectives.  Also, 
through these funds there are opportunities to 
fund  projects  with  a  focus  on  urban 
regeneration of green spaces.  
The European Regional  Development  Fund 
and the Cohesion Fund support investments 
promoting  climate  change  adaption,  risk 
prevention and disaster resilience, as well as 
access 
to  water  and  sustainable  water 
management.  These  objectives  can  be 
climate 
addressed 

improved 

through 

6 

42 

50 

The Common Agriculture Policy 
(CAP) 

Cohesion Policy Funds 

 
 
Funding Programme 

Relevance to soil health 

Page 
number  

better 

quality 

through 

resilience  through  healthy  soils  and  better 
soil 
water 
management.  
The Just Transition Fund was established to 
alleviate the negative impacts of the climate 
transition in the most affected regions and its 
investments  in  environmental  rehabilitation 
include  soil  regeneration,  land  restoration 
and 
(including 
repurposing, 
of 
brownfield  sites.  Member  States  have 
allocated  around  EUR  1.6  billion  to  these 
priorities.8
The  European  Social  Fund+,  which 
predominantly  focuses  on  social  issues,  is 
not  included as it has minimal relevance to 
soil health. 

peatlands) 
decontamination 

former 
and 

LIFE contributes towards the restoration and 
improvement  of 
the 
environment, including soil. 

the  quality  of 

The nature and biodiversity sub-programme 
can support investments in soils, as the basis 
for  a  good  functioning  ecosystem  and 
improving soil health will enable it to better 
support  ecosystems  including  the  inherent 
soil biodiversity.  

Programme  For  Environment  and 
Climate Action (LIFE) 

65 

to 

related 

facilitating 

The  circular  economy  and  quality  of  life 
subprogramme  covers  soil  quality  and  soil 
health  projects.  This  sub-programme  is 
the 
specifically 
transition  towards  a  sustainable  and  toxic-
free  circular  economy  and  protecting  and 
restoring the quality of the environment. This 
includes 
restoration, 
remediation, protection and improvement of 
soil  health,  within  natural  or  managed 
ecosystem boundaries, to provide ecosystem 
services,  in  particular  to  sustain  plant  and 
animal  productivity,  maintain  or  enhance 

supporting 

the 

8 JTF: Leaving no region behind in the climate transition | Data | European Structural and Investment Funds (europa.eu) 

7 

 
 
  
                                                 
Funding Programme 

Relevance to soil health 

Page 
number  

water  and  air  quality,  and  support  human 
health and habitats and to prevent soil loss. 

climate 

change  mitigation 

The 
and 
adaptation sub-programme supports projects 
in the areas of farming, land use and peatland 
management,  and  the  areas  of  land-use 
planning. Soil health in the EU and globally 
is  impacted  by  unsustainable  practices  in 
agriculture,  where  intensive  farming  can 
degrade soil health and its ability to function 
correctly. 

The  TSI  provides  technical  support  to 
Member  States’  authorities  in  a  wide  range 
of policy areas, notably the green transition 
(including  the  environment,  the  circular 
economy,  climate  action  and  the  energy 
transition).  The  TSI  also  contributes  to  the 
implementation of the European Green Deal 
and  supports  Member  States’  efforts  to 
implement  measures  to  protect  and  restore 
soils to facilitate green transitions. 

There is a major focus of RRF expenditures 
on  climate  transition.  Improvements  to  soil 
health  may  fall  under  this  as  soils  have  to 
both adapt to become more climate resilient, 
while  also  playing  a  part  in  preventing 
climate change.  

Activities that contribute to soil health may 
fall  mainly  under  Pillar  1  Green  Transition 
and Pillar 3 Smart, sustainable and inclusive 
growth  

Key policy areas of InvestEU include: 

  Transition  to  the  circular  economy: 
Sustainable  and  efficient  use  of  the 
and 
including 
resources 
excavated  soil  contribute 
the 
transition  to  the  circular  economy, 
which is supported by the fund. 

land 

to 

  Water 

resources 

and  pollution 
prevention  control:  Healthy  soil  is 
important  for effective filtration and 
storage  of  water,  and  improvements 

8 

70 

73 

76 

Technical Support Instrument (TSI) 

Recovery and Resilience Facility 
(RRF) 

InvestEU 

 
 
Funding Programme 

Relevance to soil health 

Page 
number  

and 

to soil health may be supported under 
InvestEU where it can improve water 
resources  and  pollution  prevention 
control. 
  Protection 

restoration 

of 
biodiversity  and  ecosystems:  Soils 
form  the  basis  of  many  ecosystems, 
and  healthy  soils  will  mean  greater 
biodiversity 
improved 
and 
of 
and 
ecosystems, 
biodiversity and ecosystems will also 
improve soil health.  

support 

  Sustainable  forests  and  agricultural 
practices:  Support  from  InvestEU to 
improve 
these 
practices due to  their impact  on soil 
status  will  mean  sustainable  use  of 
soils, and therefore healthy soils.  

sustainability  of 

2.2 

Identifying the appropriate funding opportunities by Theme, type of beneficiary and type 
of activity 

There is a large amount of information available on EU funding programmes under the 2021–2027 
MFF as well as other instruments that could support your projects/activities. Sometimes making sense 
of the funding information provided may present a difficult task.  

In view of this, Table 2-2 provides a simple cross-referenced overview of the appropriate funding 
opportunities per types of beneficiaries, types of activities and soil health related themes (relevant to 
the EU Soil Health Strategy) with hyperlinked access shortcuts. Table 2-2 includes the EU funding 
opportunities that were found to have the highest relevance to soil health, i.e., EU Mission ‘A Soil 
Deal  for  Europe’,  Horizon  Europe,  Common  Agriculture  Policy  (CAP),  Cohesion  Policy  Funds 
(CPF), Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE) and Technical Support Instrument 
(TSI).  

This information should assist in quickly reviewing according to the beneficiary category, the soil 
related theme of interest, and which of the EU funding programmes listed on this guidance that are 
most relevant. Under each theme there is also a list of activities, to further guide the user. Once a 
funding opportunity has been identified the user may refer to the full fiche section, which contains 
the relevant information and may be quickly navigated to using the hyperlinks.  

For further information on what each soil health theme entails refer to Table 2-3. Similarly, for further 
information on what each activity from the list can encompass and what each type of beneficiary can 
include, please check Box 2-1 and Box 2-2, respectively. 

9 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 2-2 EU funding opportunities identified to be relevant for specific activity types and beneficiaries 

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Mission, Horizon, CPF 

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CAP, Mission 

Mission, Horizon, 
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Mission, Horizon, 
LIFE, TSI, CAP 

Mission, Horizon, LIFE 

Mission, CAP 

Mission, LIFE, 
CAP, CPF 

CAP, Mission  Mission, CPF, CAP 

Mission, CPF 

Mission, LIFE, CPF 

Mission, Horizon, 
CPF 

Mission 

Mission 

Mission, Horizon, CPF 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Mission, Horizon, LIFE 

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Mission, LIFE, 
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Mission, CAP 

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Mission, CAP 

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12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Knowledge sharing and 
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Mission, CAP  Mission, CAP, CPF 

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13 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 2-3 Detailed overview of the soil health themes9 

Soil health theme 

Sub themes 

Soil  protection  -  reducing/preventing  degradation  (e.g., 
erosion, desertification, salinisation, compaction) 

Soil damage prevention 

Soil management plan implementation 

Continuous soil cover (e.g., cover crops, intercropping, nurse 
cropping, grass leys) 

Soils reuse 

Reduced soil sealing 

Urban soils 

Soils in sustainable urban planning 

Continuous  soil  cover  (e.g.,  grass  establishment,  diverse 
vegetative cover) 

Monitoring framework development 

Soil monitoring techniques or tools 

Soil testing to monitor and promote soil health 

Local,  regional  and  national  scale  activities  to  monitor  soil 
health 

Improved  soil  management  planning  -  tools,  tests  and 
advice/guidance 

Soil restoration 

Soil organic carbon 

Soil amendments 

Soil biodiversity 

Soil health improvement 

Soil use change 

Soil and land remediation and restoration 

Soil monitoring 

Soil improvement, 
enhancement and 
sustainable practices 

9 Due to the multidisciplinary approach that is often taken to addressing soil health issues, there exist some overlap between themes, therefore 
some themes could require the same activities to contribute to the restoration, protection and enhancement of soil health. 

14 

 
 
                                                 
 
Soil health theme 

Sub themes 

Remediation practices for capped or sealed soils 

Machinery  selection  and  usage  strategies  for  reduced  soil 
damage 

Reduced soil disturbance 

Sustainable livestock management 

Land management 

Land use change 

Sustainable grassland management 

Sustainable nutrient/fertiliser management 

Sustainable pest control 

Selective felling, avoidance of clear-felling 

Agro-forestry and 
woodland10 specific 
management 

Woodland restoration 

Agro-forestry 

Low soil impact forestry harvesting techniques 

Drainage maintenance  

Water supply, including irrigation 

Water 

Water quality protection and improvement 

Water  retention,  soil  water  availability  and  soil  water 
movement/filtration 

Peatland, wetland and 
high organic matter soils 

Restoration and management 

Protection/conservation and management 

Box 2-1 Further information on type of activities 

This Box provides a non-exclusive overview of the activities that might fall within each of 
the categories found in the typology of funding matrix in Table 2-2. 
Research and innovation: includes all types of soil health related research - basic and applied 
research,  industry-based  and  in-field  research,  experimental  development  and  feasibility 
studies.  Innovation  refers  to  the  creation  and  implementation  of  new  processes,  products, 
services  and  methods  for  improving  soil  health.  Furthermore,  it  encompasses  funding 

10 The term  woodland has multiple application and user-specific definitions.  In this guidance, woodland refers to land on which trees are 
grown, whether as an amenity or commercially, and includes any such trees and any vegetation planted or growing naturally among such trees 
on that land. 

15 

 
 
 
                                                 
opportunities available for testing developing innovation outputs, as well as developing and 
upscaling  existing  research  as  a  means  of  working  towards  increasing  the  technology 
readiness level (TRL) to allow the implementation of the innovation outputs. It also includes 
academic/doctoral  and  post-doctoral  training  programmes  and  fellowships,  dedicated  to 
support the work and research around soil health. 
Knowledge sharing and demonstration: includes all types of funding related to networking, 
cooperation, the exchange of experiences, dissemination of knowledge and best practices, soil 
literacy,  awareness  building,  and  engagement  including  between  businesses,  research 
organisations and public authorities and individuals.  It also refers to other more intangible 
actions  such  as  capacity  building  for  the  preparation,  development  and  structuring  of 
projects/activities related to soil heath. 
Implementation of sustainable land management practices: this encompasses all funding 
dedicated  to  implementation  activities  and  projects  related  to  promoting  soil  health  – 
including  soil  management  practices,  land-use  planning,  nature-based  solutions,  among 
others. It also includes the implementation of practices and the support to the implementation 
plans or strategies that are required through legislation or policy.  
Infrastructure or equipment investment: this encompasses all type of funding dedicated to 
investments in infrastructure, for example, buildings and facilities and equipment to enable 
sustainable  soil  management  practices  in  the  agriculture  sector,  developing  green 
infrastructure  in  urban  areas,  coastal  infrastructure  and  other  water  related  green 
infrastructure.  
Social  &  cultural  dimension:  includes  all  type  of  funding  that  while  focusing  on  soil 
management  practices,  it  also  equally  aims  to  support  wider  social/cultural  issues.  For 
example, productive investments in SMEs and investments aiming to safeguard existing jobs 
and create new employment in rural communities with a focus on soil management practices, 
investments to enhance the role of culture and sustainable tourism 

Box 2-2 Further information on type of beneficiaries 

This  Box  provides  a  non-exclusive  overview  of  the  detailed  beneficiaries  that  might  fall 
within each of the categories of the typology of funding matrix found in Table 2-2. 
Individuals/  Practitioners:  direct  recipients  of  funding  opportunities  not  organised  in 
companies or associations. This includes farmers and land managers, foresters etc. 
Businesses: this includes SMEs and large enterprises. It encompasses all types of business 
related  to  sustainable  land  management  practices  and  soil  health  -i.e.,  agri-food  sector, 
developers,  infrastructure  planners  and  construction,  utilities,  researchers/demonstrations 
(advisory  organisations).  It  is  worth  noting  that  most  funding  opportunities  target  SMEs 
among any other business type.  
Public authorities: this includes national, regional and local bodies, as well as public-private 
partnerships (PPPS). 
Research/Academia: includes universities, colleges, research dedicated centres. 
NGOs/Civil society: this encompasses non-profit, charities and third sector organisations, as 
well as the broader non-organised ‘civil society’. 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
3  OVERVIEW OF KEY EU FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES  

3.1 

Introduction 

This chapter describes eight funds and funding opportunities from the MFF for 2021–2027 as 
well as their respective specific components and subcomponents which can fund or finance 
projects  that  support  the  soil  health  related  themes  and  activities  of  the  EU,  in  the  form  of 
concise  fiches.  Table  3-1  summarises  the  type  of  information  given  for  each  funding 
programme  in  the  following  sections.  It  should  be  noted  that  the  focus  for  each  funding 
programme  included  in  this  guidance  is  on  the  most  significant  information  for  soil  health. 
More detail on each funding opportunity can be found through the various links provided in 
the individual descriptions that follow. 

Table 3-1 Summary of information given for each funding opportunity 

Type of information 

Description 

Overview 

Provides a brief introduction to the funding opportunity 

Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

Provides  a  brief  description  of  the  overall  objective  of  the 
funding opportunity 

Provides a brief description of the key areas supported through 
the funding opportunity 

Provides explanation of how the funding opportunity is relevant 
to supporting soil health, including the mentioning of relevant 
components of the funding opportunity, where relevant 

Provides  the  amount  of  funding  available  under  the  funding 
opportunity in total. Where available, amount of funds available 
for specific component related to soil health are indicated  

Indicates  the  type  of  management  applicable  to  each  funding 
opportunity. The funding programmes can be managed by the 
Commission  (direct  management),  jointly  with  the  Member 
States  (shared  management)  or  via  implementing  partners 
(indirect management) 

Types of funding 

Indicates  the  type  of  funds,  such  as  grants,  loans,  equity  or 
guarantees or the combination thereof 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Indicates  the  beneficiaries  relevant  to  soil  health  who  are 
targeted by the funding opportunity 

Types 
activities  

of 

projects/ 

Provides a high-level overview of potential soil health related 
activities  and  projects  that  can  be  funded  by  the  funding 
opportunity 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services  

Brief  description  of  how  and  in  which  areas  the  funding 
the  funding 
opportunity  and  any  project  financed  via 
opportunity has the potential to directly contribute to objectives 

17 

 
 
Type of information 

Description 

Eligibility criteria  

of wider ecosystem services including water, air, biodiversity, 
climate, food security, nutrient cycling, etc.  

Provides  a  brief  overview  of  the  type  of  beneficiary  and 
activities  eligible  for  funding  and  any  award  criteria,  where 
relevant 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Provides  a  brief  overview  of  the  application  process  and 
reporting  requirements  if  funding  is  awarded  with  links  to 
relevant guidance, where available 

Useful links and 
resources  

Provides  any  additional  online  resources  (e.g.  legal  basis, 
information  on  the  Commission’s  website,  link  to  National 
Contact  Points)  for  those  users  that  seek  more  in-depth 
information 

In the following sections, each funding opportunity is presented in a separate fiche. For the 
most  complex  funding  opportunities  (Horizon  Europe,  CAP  and  CPF),  first  an  overview  is 
provided with information on objectives, components and relevance to soil health, while details 
are presented separately for each of the main components in subsequent fiches.  

3.2  Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”11  

Overview 

The  Mission  ‘A  soil  deal  for  Europe’  is  an  instrument  under 
Horizon Europe however, as it is a flagship initiative for soil it 
is presented in a separate fiche. 
Horizon Europe has introduced five EU missions for 2021-2027 
and each operates as  a portfolio of actions  to  raise awareness 
and support policy measures to deliver tangible results by 2030. 
 ‘A  Soil  Deal  for  Europe’  is  one  of  the  five  EU  missions  in 
Horizon Europe and aims to lead the transition to healthy soils 
by 2030 by establishing a network of one hundred living labs 
and  lighthouses  in  rural  and  urban  areas,  advancing  the 
development  of  a harmonized soil monitoring framework and 
increasing the awareness of the importance of soil. 
This mission will support the Sustainable Development Goals 
(SDGs)  and  the  European  Green  Deal  notably  the  climate 

11 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 

- 

- 
- 
- 
- 
- 

Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications 
Office of the EU (europa.eu) 
Soil health and food (2022)  
European Mission, Soil Deal for Europe, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (2022)  
European Missions A Soil Deal for Europe Implementation Plan  
Funding & tenders  
Horizon Europe (HORIZON) programme Guide (2022) 

18 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
initiatives,  the  EU  biodiversity  for  2030,  the  farm  to  fork 
strategy and the EU zero-pollution action plan, whilst also being 
a flagship initiative of the long-term vision for rural areas. 

  Decrease desertification 
  Conserve soil organic carbon stocks 
  Prevent soil sealing and increase re-use of urban soils 
  Decrease soil pollution and increase restoration 
  Prevent erosion 
 
  Decrease the EU global footprint on soils 
 
  Funding  an  ambitious 

Improve soil structure to enhance soil biodiversity 

Improve soil literacy in society 

research  and 

innovation 

programme  

  Arranging a network of 100 living labs and lighthouses  
  Developing  a  harmonised 
soil 

framework 

for 

monitoring in Europe 

  Raising awareness on the vital importance of soils 

Between 60-70% of EU soils are classified as unhealthy. As the 
foundation of the food system and vital support of biodiversity, 
clean water and our cultural heritage and landscapes, soil must 
be  carefully  managed  and  protected  to  build  resilience  and 
protect  ecosystems.  Mission  ‘A  Soil  Deal  for  Europe’  funds 
projects to protect and restore soil health by 2030.  

Indicative budget for the mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”: 

  Research  and  innovation  (R&I)  programme:  EUR  33 

million (2021), budget share 2021-2027: 32%; 

  Living  labs  and  lighthouses:  EUR  2  million  (2021), 

budget share 2021-2027: 40%; 

  Monitoring  and  indicators:  EUR  12  million  (2021), 

budget share 2021-2027: 14%; 

  Soil  literacy,  communication  and  citizen  engagement: 
EUR 15 million (2021), budget share 2021-2027: 7.5%; 
  Support  structures  and  governance:  EUR  5  million 

(2021), budget share 2021- 2027: 1.5% ; 

  Scaling out: InvestEU: budget share 2021- 2027: 5%.  
TOTAL: EUR 67 million (2021), EUR 95 million (2022), EUR 
126 million (2023). 

Direct management: ‘EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe’ is 
implemented  as  a  ‘cross-commission’  undertaking.  The 
Mission  Manager  and  Deputy  Mission  Manager  organise  the 
implementation  of  the  mission  activities  and  the  mission 
secretariat at the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural 

19 

Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

Volume of funding 

Type of management  

 
 
 
Types of funding 

Development (DG AGRI) and oversee the missions’ day-to-day 
management.  

Funding  is  provided  mostly  in  the  form  of  grants.  Calls  for 
proposals  are  open  periodically.  Applications  for  the  2023 
funding  opportunities  have  opened  on  17  January  2023  and 
close on 20 September 2023. The plan for the 2024 call of the 
Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ is to fund actions such as soil 
decontamination,  citizen  engagement’,  biodiversity,  citizen 
science  and  promoting  skills  for  sustainable  soil  and  land 
management. 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ does not place restrictions on 
the type of organisations that may apply for funds. 

  Research and innovation (knowledge, infrastructure and 
technology  to  support  the  work  and  research  on  soil 
health). 

  Living  labs  and  lighthouses  (network  of  sites  to  co-
create, demonstrate and upscale soil health solutions). 

  Soil  monitoring  and  reporting  (harmonisation 

to 

supplement the European Soil Observatory). 

  Soil literacy, communication, and training (engagement 
to a variety of target groups; ‘specialised soil advisors’). 

Based  on  the  above-mentioned  fields  specific  topics  are 
published on an annual basis. In 2023 call for proposal includes 
the following 9 topics available (see link below): 

Types of 
projects/activities 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services  

 
 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 

‘Discovering the subsoil’; 
‘Soil  pollution  processes-modelling  and  inclusion  in 
advanced digital decision-support tools’;  
‘Onsite  digital  technologies  to  monitor  nutrients  and 
chemical or biological stressors in soil and plants with 
relevance for food safety and nutrition’; 
‘Innovations to prevent and combat desertification’; 
‘Soil-friendly  practices 
alternative growing media’; 
‘Soils in spatial planning’; 
‘Back to earth: bringing communities and citizens closer 
to soil’; 
‘Co-creating solutions for soil health in Living Labs’; 
‘Carbon farming in Living Labs’; 

in  horticulture, 

including 

Funding  opportunities 
and 
demonstrations  into  soil  health  has  the  potential  to  directly 
the  knowledge  of  other 
contribute 

research,  experiments 

towards  developing 

for 

20 

 
 
 
 
ecosystems  such  as  the  effect  of  soil  health  on  water, 
biodiversity, climate and food safety and security. 

they  must  demonstrate 

Generally,  any  organisation  can  apply  for  funding  under 
Horizon  Europe  however, 
their 
operational and financial capacity. Moreover, for many calls for 
proposals applicants should apply as part of a team consisting 
of a minimum of three partner organisations from three different 
EU or associated countries, with at least one partner being from 
an  EU  country.  Further  information  can  be  found  in  the 
‘Horizon Europe Programme guide’ (see link below). 

Living  labs  will  consist  of  public-private-people  partnerships 
between multiple actors (preferably involving science, policy, 
practice  and  citizen  groups).  Examples  of  users  include  soil 
managers  such  as  farmers,  foresters,  advisors  and  industries 
with impacts on soil as well as researchers. The target audience 
for living lab demonstrations include the public, soil managers 
and networks such as the European Innovation Partnership for 
Agricultural productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI). 

The  criteria 
for 
performance in terms of soil health. 

lighthouses  are  based  on  exemplary 

  Funding  and  tenders  can  be  found  on  the  ‘search 
Funding & Tenders’ page (see link below). Open calls 
for proposals are presented through ‘information days’ 
organised by the European Research Executive Agency 
(REA). 

  Create a profile in the ‘Funding and Tenders Portal’ (see 
link  below)  and  using  the  online  form,  submit  your 
proposal.  Some  calls  may  require  you  to  submit  a 
concept  note  beforehand,  and  only  once  this  is 
successful can you then submit a full project proposal. 
  Your proposal is then evaluated by a panel of experts, 
and you will be informed by the REA if you have been 
successful. 

  A grant agreement is drawn up with the project partners 
and  will  detail  the  budget,  duration,  activity  and  EU 
contribution. 

EU Mission: A Soil Deal for Europe and relevant funding 
Horizon Europe programme guide 
Horizon Europe Info Days 
Soil Mission 2023 calls for proposal 
Funding and Tender Portal 
Work Programme 2023-2024 

21 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

 
 
 
 
 
3.3  Horizon Europe12 

In  this  chapter  the  guidance  introduces  the  Horizon  Europe  programme  and  subsequently 
presents in separate fiches the three pillars of Horizon Europe and the relevant specific funding 
opportunities encompassed in these pillars:  

  Horizon Europe Pillar I (Section 3.3.1): The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) 
(Section3.3.1.1),  the  European  Research  Council  (ERC)  (Section  3.3.1.2),  Research 
Infrastructures (RIS) (Section 3.3.1.3) 

  Horizon Europe Pillar II (Section 3.3.2) 

  Horizon  Europe  Pillar  III  (Section  3.3.3):  European  Innovation  Council  (Section 
3.3.3.1),  The  European  Institute  of  Innovation  and  Technology  (EIT)  and  its 
Knowledge  and  Innovation  Communities  (KICs)  (Section  3.3.3.2)  and  European 
Innovation Ecosystems (EIE) (Section 3.3.3.3). 

is 

the  EU’s  key  funding  and 

Horizon  Europe 
largest 
transnational  programme  supporting  research  and  innovation 
through work programmes which set out funding opportunities.  
Horizon  Europe  tackles  climate  change  helps  to  achieve  the 
UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enhances the 
EU’s competitiveness and growth. The new elements of Horizon 
Europe include: 

Overview 

  European Innovation Council; 
  Five Missions to address the world’s biggest challenges. 
The soil relevant mission is described above. See section 
3.2; 

  Open  science  policy:  open  access  to  publications  and 

open science principles;  

  New  partnership  approach:  objective-driven  and  more 
ambitious  partnerships  with  industry  in  support  of  EU 
policy objectives. 

12 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
Horizon  Europe,  budget:  Horizon  Europe  -  the  most  ambitious  EU  research  &  innovation  programme  ever,  European  Commission, 
Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Publications Office of the European Union,( 2021) 
Horizon Europe (2022) 
Horizon Europe, funding opportunities  
Funding tenders & opportunities portal  
A guide to funding opportunities under Horizon Europe – calls 2023 (2022).  
Online Manual - Funding Tenders Opportunities  
Admissibility and eligibility check - Online Manual  

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

Volume of funding 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Horizon  Europe 
excellence-based 
participation  from  Member  States  and  facilitate  collaborative 
links in research and innovation across Europe. 

encourage 

aims 

to 

Horizon  Europe  is  made  up  of  three  pillars  and  one  Part 
(Participation): 

  Pillar I: Excellent Science;  
  Pillar II:  Global  challenges  and  European  industrial 

competitiveness;  

  Pillar III: Innovative Europe;  
  Partnerships:  Widening  participation  and strengthening 

the European research area;  

Research and innovation are critical in finding solutions to soil 
health  challenges.  It  is  crucial  to  develop  the  creation  and 
diffusion  of  high-quality  new  knowledge  and  innovation  in 
Europe to  ensure the uptake of innovative solutions,  reinforce 
the  impact  of  research  and  innovation  in  addressing  EU’s 
priorities  and  strengthen  the  European  research  area.  This 
programme  provides  a  number  of  opportunities  to  fund  soil 
health research, innovation and dissemination activities. 

EUR 95.51 billion for the period 2021-2027. 

  Pillar I: EUR 25 billion 
  Pillar II: EUR 53.5 billion 
  Pillar III: EUR 13.6 billion 
  Partnerships: EUR 3.4 billion 

Most EU programmes require applicants to be:  

  Legal entities; 
  Either  established  in  an  eligible  country  (EU  Member 
State),  non-EU  eligible  countries  (European  Economic 
Area  countries)  or  associated  countries  (associated  by 
paying into a funding programme). 

Grants process steps: 

  Search funding opportunities (find a call); 

  Search for partners;  

  Register  the  organisation  (receive  a  9-digit  participant 

identification code); 

  Proposal  submission  (Topic  page  on  the  Portal>  Start 

Submission) 

  Eligibility and admissibility check;  

23 

 
 
 
  Proposal evaluation (by the evaluation committee which 
is made up of EU staff from the Granting Authority and 
other services); 

  Grant  preparation  and  agreement  through  the  Grant 
Management  System  (administrative  and  financial 
information, description of the action, estimated budget, 
project  variables  &  legal  documents  needed  for  grant 
signature); 

  Grant signature through the Grant Management System. 

As an expert: process steps: 

  Register as an expert;  

  Sign  the  contract,  submit  your  proof  of  identity,  and 

make payment requests through ‘my expert area’; 

  The EU service will make contact to let you know if you 

have been selected. 

Horizon Europe Budget  
Horizon Europe Work Programme  
Participation in Horizon Europe 
Horizon funding opportunities  
Funding and tender portal  
Partner search 
Organisation registration 
Submission guide 
Register as an expert 
Model contract for experts 
My expert area 
Expert roles 
A guide to funding opportunities under Horizon Europe – calls 
2023 

Useful links and 
resources 

3.3.1  Horizon Europe Pillar I ‘Excellent Science’13 

Overview 

Horizon Europe Pillar I, titled ‘Excellent Science’, provides grants for 
projects  to  enhance  and  develop  the  EU’s  research,  innovation  and 
scientific competitiveness. 

13 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 

- 

- 
- 

Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications 
Office of the EU (europa.eu) 
Horizon Europe Pillar 1 – excellence in science - Overview  
European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, pillar I  - Excellent science: Driving 
scientific excellence and supporting the EU’s position as a world leader in science, Publications Office of the European Union, 
2021 

24 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Objectives  

Components 

  Research projects 
  Staff exchanges 
  Research infrastructure development 

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. See section 3.3.1.1 
European Research Council. See section 3.3.1.2 
Research infrastructures. See section 3.3.1.3 

Relevance to soil health 

Available  funding  facilitates  research  and  innovation  which  can  be 
extended to soil health and science.  

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

Total: EUR 25 billion 
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: EUR 6.6 billion 
European Research Council: EUR 16 billion 
Research infrastructures: EUR 2.4 billion 

Direct  management:  Projects  are  overseen  by  the  EU  Granting 
Authority  who  will  review  projects,  complete  financial  audits  on 
participants,  monitor  project  implementation  and  check  compliance 
with 
the  specific 
management approach is dependent on each project. 

the  grant  agreement  obligations.  However, 

Types of funding 

Funding is provided in the form of grants. 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

specific 

Specific  eligibility  criteria  vary  between 
funding 
opportunities.  Examples  of  the  types  of  organisations  that  may  be 
eligible include:  
  SME;  
  Large enterprises;  
  Research organisations;  
  Public authorities;  
  NGOs;  
  Civil society organisations.  

  Marie  Skłodowska-Curie  Actions 

(MSCA):  bottom-up 
innovation  programme  for  doctoral  and 
research  and 
postdoctoral  training  and  worldwide  collaborative  research 
projects. 

  European  Research  Council  (ERC):  research  to  advance  the 

frontier of science.  

  Research Infrastructures (RIS): provide facilities, services, and 

resources for research and innovation. 

Projects  funded  under  Horizon  Pillar  I  develop  research  and 
innovation across a range of environmental topics such as biodiversity, 
climate, and water. Projects which focus on soil health may provide 
an  indirect  benefit  by  adding  to  the  knowledge  and  understanding 
surrounding other environmental compartments and challenges. 

25 

 
 
 
Eligibility criteria  

See section 3.3 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

See section 3.3 

Funding and tender opportunities pillar I 

3.3.1.1  The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)14 

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

The  MSCA  are  part  of  Horizon  Europe’s  Pillar  I  (Excellent 
Science). They are the EU’s flagship funding programme for the 
mobility  and  training  of  excellent  researchers,  as  well  as  the 
development of doctoral and postdoctoral training programmes 
and worldwide collaborative research projects. 

The objective of the MSCA is to build on Europe’s capacity for 
research and innovation by investing in the long-term careers of 
excellent  researchers,  and  to  foster  lasting  international, 
interdisciplinary  and  intersectoral  collaborations  with  a  strong 
structuring effect on participating institutions.  

  Doctoral Networks (DN)  
  Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) 
  Staff Exchanges (SE) 
  COFUND (Co-funding) 
  MSCA and Citizens 

Relevance to soil health 

The  MSCA  are  a  “bottom-up”  programme,  where  topics  are 
chosen  freely  by  the  applicants  and  the  main  drivers  are 
scientific excellence and innovation. They can therefore support 
research and innovation in the area of soil health and science. 

Volume of funding 

Budget for the MSCA under Horizon Europe is EUR 6.6 billion. 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

Direct management– The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions are 
managed by DG Education, Sport, Youth, and Culture of the EC 
and the European Research Executive Agency (REA). 

  Doctoral networks (DN): Supporting the development of 
doctoral  programmes  through  Standard  Doctorates, 
Industrial Doctorates and Joint Doctorates. 

14 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – About the MSCA programme  
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Funding opportunities 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
  Postdoctoral fellowships (PF): Supporting the careers of 
individual  researchers  through  European  Postdoctoral 
Fellowships and Global Postdoctoral Fellowships. 

  Staff  Exchanges  (SE):  Supporting  collaborative  R&I 
projects through the short-term mobility of staff between 
participating organisations.  

  COFUND:  Co-funding  for  regional,  national  and 
international programmes for doctoral and post-doctoral 
training and career development.  

  MSCA  and  Citizens:  Bringing  science  closer  to  the 

public with the European Researchers’ NIGHT. 

The  MSCA  are  available  to  academic  and  non-academic 
organisations worldwide. These include: 

  Universities 

  Research institutions 

  Government entities 

Targeted beneficiaries 

  Businesses 

  SMEs 

  Other non-academic organisations  

Types of projects / 
activities  

Individual  researchers  at  all  levels  of  their  careers  can  find 
hosting positions on the EURAXESS Job Portal.  

The  MSCA  include  multi-beneficiary  and  mono-beneficiary 
actions. Participation rules vary across actions. For more details, 
please read the relevant Work Programme parts.  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Funding through training programmes and global collaborative 
projects enables research into other ecosystem services such a 
climate, water quality, food production and biodiversity.  

Eligibility criteria 

Eligibility criteria vary across actions. Please read the relevant 
Work Programme parts. 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Individual applicants and organisations can apply to open calls 
for  Doctoral  Networks,  Postdoctoral  Fellowships,  Staff 
Exchanges, COFUND or MSCA and Citizens. 
MSCA calls are published on an annual basis. Open funding and 
forthcoming  opportunities  can  be  found  on  the  ‘Funding  and 
Tenders Opportunities’ portal (see link below). 

Useful links and 
resources 

MSCA website  

-  Doctoral Networks  
-  Postdoctoral Fellowships 

27 

 
 
 
 
-  Staff Exchanges  
-  COFUND 
-  MSCA & Citizens  

To attract researchers post hosting offers on EURAXESS  
Funding opportunities 
Funding and Tender Opportunities portal 
Frequently  Asked  Questions on 
Opportunities portal 

the  Funding  &  Tender 

3.3.1.2  European Research Council (ERC) 15 

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

The  European  Research  Council  (ERC)  provides  flexible 
funding for frontier, early-stage research across Europe. 

The  ERC,  led  by  the  Scientific  Council,  offer  4  main  grant 
schemes with additional funds available to support commercial 
or  societal  potential  of  ERC  research  grants  (ERC  Proof  of 
Concept).  ERC  grants  support  quality  research  across  all 
scientific  fields  through  a  ‘bottom-up’  approach  with  the 
objective  to  bring  about  new  scientific  and  technological 
discoveries to make the European research base more prepared 
to respond to global challenges. 

  ERC Starting Grant 
  ERC Consolidator Grant 
  ERC Advanced Grant 
  ERC Synergy Grant 
  ERC Proof of Concept 

Relevance to soil health 

Funding  available  facilitates  early-stage  research  through  a 
‘bottom-up’ approach which can be extended to soil health and 
science. 

Volume of funding 

EUR 16 billion 

  ERC Starting Grant: EUR 1.5 million  
  ERC Consolidator Grant: EUR 2 million  
  ERC Advanced Grant: EUR 2.5 million  
  ERC  Synergy  Grant:  EUR  10  million  (an  additional 

EUR 4 million can be requested) 

  ERC Proof of Concept Grant: EUR 150,000  

15 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 

- 

- 
- 

Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications 
Office of the EU (europa.eu) 
ERC funding programme homepage 
ERC grant application details 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Type of management 

Direct management: Projects are overseen by the EU Granting 
Authority who will review projects, complete financial audits on 
implementation  and  check 
participants,  monitor  project 
compliance with the grant agreement obligations. 

Types of funding 

Funding is provided in the form of grants ranging from EUR 1.5-
10 million. 

Targeted beneficiaries 

These grants are aimed at researchers based at universities and 
research institutions (private and public). 

Types of projects / 
activities  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

The ERC funding aims to promote projects and activities at the 
frontier  of  research  in  any  scientific  domain,  including  social 
sciences, humanities and interdisciplinary studies. 

Multiple grants are available for early-stage research which can 
include  environmental/climate 
impact 
ecosystem  services  such  a  climate,  water  quality,  food 
production and biodiversity. 

topics  which  can 

Eligibility criteria 

View specific grants and tenders for specific eligibility details 
(see link below). 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

The  following  ERC  grant  applications  are  to  be  submitted  in 
response to  a  yearly call for Proposals  found on  the ‘Funding 
and Tenders portal’ (see link below). Applications can be made 
in  any field  of research  and must be conducted in a public or 
private research organisation: 
  ERC Starting Grant; 
  ERC Consolidator Grant; 
  ERC Advanced Grant; 
  ERC Synergy Grant. 

For the ERC Starting Grant, ERC Consolidator Grant, and ERC 
Advanced Grant: 

 

Identify  and  contact  the  host  institution  on  the  online 
research partner search services; 

  Proposal  writing  (you  can  receive  support  from  your 

‘National Contact Point’ (see link below)); 

  Submit on the ‘EU submission service’ (see link below); 

For the Synergy Grant: 

  Each  Principal  Investigator  must 

identify  a  host 

organisation; 

  Build  upon  the  research  idea  and  write  a  proposal  (you 
can  receive  support  from  your  ‘National  Contact  Point’ 
(see link below)); 

  Submit on the ‘EU submission service’ (see link below). 

For the ERC Proof of Concept: 

29 

 
 
 
  Apply to open calls on the ‘Funding and Tenders portal’ 
(see link below) with an administrative form, the proposal 
and supplementary documents. 

Useful links and 
resources 

ERC Starting Grant 
ERC Consolidator Grant  
ERC Advanced Grant  
ERC Proof of Concept  
ERC Synergy Grant  
Non-EU researchers 
Funding and Tenders Portal 
Online research partner search services 
National Contact Point 
EU submission service 

3.3.1.3  Research infrastructures (RIS)16 

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

Research Infrastructures (RIS) are facilities providing services 
and  resources  to  conduct  research  which  are  accessible  to 
researchers to reinforce and supplement scientific innovation. 

  Decrease the fragmentation of research and innovation 

ecosystem 

  Synchronise the use and development of RIS. 
  Global collaboration to operate large infrastructures to 

 

respond to complex challenges.  
Increase  awareness  of  RIS  to  enhance  the  innovation 
potential of products and technology. 

  Develop  global  partnerships  and  address  common 
problems through science and RIS (science diplomacy). 

  Major equipment or instrument sets. 
  Knowledge-related facilities (e.g., collections). 
  Archives or scientific data infrastructures. 
  Computing systems. 
  Communication networks. 

Relevance to soil health 

Research  Infrastructures  enable  actors  to  conduct  world-class 
research which can be extended to soil health and science. Food 
and agriculture research facilities such as ‘EMPHASIS-PREP’ 

16 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
European Research Infrastructures (RIS) funding programme 

30 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
has been included in the Horizon 2020 RIS landscape (see link 
below). 

Volume of funding 

EUR 2.4 billion 

Type of management 

Direct  management:  The  EC  collaborate  with  European 
countries to implement strategies to provide Europe with RIS. 

Types of funding 

Funding is provided in the form of grants and tenders  

Targeted beneficiaries 

Research communities. 

Types of projects / 
activities  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

Provision  of  research  infrastructure  and  facilities  that  provide 
services  for  research  communities  to  conduct  and  foster 
innovation. These may be single-sited, distributed or virtual.  
These may include: 

  Major scientific equipment or sets of instruments; 
  Collections, archives, or scientific data; 
  Computing systems and communication networks; 
  Any  other  research  and  innovation  infrastructure  of  a 

unique nature. 

The  funding  available  for  research  infrastructure  can  help 
facilitate  and  enhance 
in 
interconnected systems and related ecosystem services such as 
climate, food production and biodiversity. 

the  research  and 

innovation 

View specific grant and tenders for eligibility details (see link 
below). 

All funding information and details on how to apply are found 
on the ‘Funding and Tenders portal’ (see link below). 

Research Infrastructures work programme 
Funding and Tender opportunities for research infrastructure 
RIS Landscape (list of Horizon 2020 RIS in Europe)  
Funding and Tenders portal 

3.3.2  Horizon  Europe  Pillar 
competitiveness’17 

II 

‘Global  challenges  and  European 

industrial 

Overview 

Horizon  Pillar  II  ‘Global  challenges  and  European  industrial 
competitiveness’  supports  research  and  innovation  to  address 

17 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (no date)  

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

societal challenges and strengthens industrial and technological 
capabilities through six clusters. 

The main objective of Horizon pillar II is to incentivise cross-
disciplinary,  cross  sectoral,  cross  border  and  cross-policy 
collaboration  to  achieve  the  Sustainable  Development  Goals 
(SDGs). 

Horizon pillar II is organised into 6 clusters: 

  Health 
  Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 
  Civil Security for Society 
  Digital, Industry and Space 
  Climate, Energy and Mobility 
  Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and 

Environment 

‘Food,  Bioeconomy,  Natural  Resources,  Agriculture  and 
Environment’ is the most soil relevant cluster. This cluster will 
contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal related 
to the Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, the Farm to Fork strategy, 
the  European  Climate  Pact  and  initiatives  under  sustainable 
industry  and  eliminating  pollution,  as  well  as  the  long-term 
vision for rural areas, and the Sustainable Development Goals.  

Volume of funding 

EUR 53.5 billion 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

Direct management– Projects are overseen by the EU Granting 
Authority who will review projects, complete financial audits on 
participants,  monitor  project 
implementation  and  check 
compliance with the grant agreement obligations.  

Funding is provided in the form of grants and Tenders– found 
through the ‘Funding and Tender opportunities’ page (see link 
below). 

Targeted beneficiaries 

  SMEs 
  Start-ups  
  Research organisations 
  Private companies 
  Public authorities 
  Non-governmental organisations 
  Civil society  

Types of projects / 
activities  

Horizon Pillar II covers research and innovation activities from 
a  full  range  of  Technology  Readiness  Levels.  Projects  are 

European  Commission,  Directorate-General  for  Research  and  Innovation, Horizon  Europe,  pillar  II  -  Global  challenges  and  European 
industrial competitiveness, Publications Office of the European Union, 2021  
Funding & tender opportunities portal 

32 

 
 
 
                                                 
supported  after  an  evaluation  of  proposals 
through  an 
independent evaluation process, Topics proposed under the calls 
for proposals define the policy context, expected outcomes and 
the scope. consist of topics and each topic defines a r, including 
scope  and  expected  outcomes.  Previous  soil-related  projects 
under  cluster  Food,  Bioeconomy,  Natural  Resources, 
Agriculture and Environment included: 
‘Next generation soil advisors’; 
‘Citizen science for soil health’; 
‘Innovations for soil improvement from bio-waste’; 
‘Linking soil health to nutritional and safe food’; 
‘Soil  biodiversity  and  its  contribution  to  ecosystem 
services’; 
‘Monitoring,  reporting  and  verification  of  soil  carbon 
and greenhouse gases balance’. 

 
 
 
 
 

 

Interventions areas under this cluster are: 
  Environmental observation; 
  Biodiversity and natural resources; 
  Agriculture, forestry and rural areas (includes soil as a 
key research area to “understand, monitor and measure 
the specific effects of agricultural and forestry activities 
on soils”); 

  Seas, oceans and inland waters; 
  Food systems; 
  Bio-based innovation systems in the EU's bioeconomy;  

Circular systems; 

This  cluster  has  a  wider  approach  which  benefits  ecosystem 
services by: 

  Limiting environmental degradation; 
  Preventing and reversing biodiversity loss;  
 
Improving natural resources management;  
  Transitioning to low carbon, resource efficient circular 

economy and sustainable bioeconomy; 

  Supporting  resource  efficient  circular  economy  and 

sustainable bioeconomy.  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Eligibility criteria  

See section 3.3 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

See section 3.3 

Funding and tender opportunities pillar II 

33 

 
 
 
Food,  Bioeconomy,  Natural  Resources,  Agriculture  and 
Environment 
Horizon Europe Work programme (2023-24) - Cluster 6 (draft) 
Funding and tender opportunities  

3.3.3  Horizon Europe Pillar III ‘Innovative Europe’18 

Overview 

Objectives  

Horizon  Pillar  III  ‘Innovative  Europe’  supports  innovation 
creation,  performance,  transfer  and  scale-up  in  Europe  by 
reinforcing collaboration between multiple actors.  

  Support  innovations  with  breakthrough  and  market 

creation potential. 

  Create connections with national and regional innovation 

actors. 

  Assemble  key  players  from  research,  education  and 

business to foster innovation. 

  European Innovation Council (EIC). See section 3.3.3.1 
  European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). 

Components 

See section 3.3.3.2 

  European  Innovation  Ecosystems  (EIE).  See  section 

3.3.3.3 

Relevance to soil health 

Funding available facilitates research and encourages innovation 
which can be extended to soil health and science. 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

EUR 13.6 billion 

  EIC: EUR 10.1 billion 
  EIT: EUR 3 billion 
  EIE: EUR 527 million 

Direct management: Projects are overseen by the EU Granting 
Authority who will review projects, complete financial audits on 
participants,  monitor  project 
implementation  and  check 
compliance with the grant agreement obligations.  

Types of funding 

Funding is provided in the form of grants and Tenders: There are 
currently no grants or tenders open (see link below). 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Specific  eligibility  criteria  vary  between  specific  funding 
opportunities. Examples of the types of organisations that may 
be eligible include:  

18 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe, pillar III  - Innovative Europe: supporting and 
connecting innovators across Europe, Publications Office of the European Union, 2021  

34 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
  Research/academia 
  Entrepreneurs 
  Start ups 
  SMEs 
  Universities 
  Public/national and/or local authorities 
  Organisations 
  Public-owned enterprises 
 
Industrial stakeholders  
  Social innovators 
  Technology transfer centres 
  Civil society  
  Accelerators  
 
Investors  

Types of projects / 
activities  

Programmes,  grants,  services  and  resources  depending  on 
project (see sections below). 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Projects  funded  under  Horizon  Pillar  III  support  innovation 
which  has  the  potential  to  cover  multiple  topics  related  to 
different ecosystem services such as water quality, biodiversity 
and  food  production.  Soil  health  related  projects  may  also 
indirectly address other environmental challenges. 

Eligibility criteria  

See section 3.3 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

See section 3.3 

Funding and Tender opportunities pillar III 

3.3.3.1  European Innovation Council (EIC) 19 

Overview 

The EIC is a flagship innovation programme within Pillar III of 
Horizon Europe to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough 
technologies and game changing innovations.  

19 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
European Innovation Council, EISMEA  
European Innovation Council, Research and Innovation (2022) 
EIC 2023 work programme  

35 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

The EIC encourages innovation that has scale-up potential with 
a particular focus on breakthrough, market-creating innovation 
that is too risky for private investors. The EIC works alongside 
the European  Institute of  Innovation and Technology  (EIT) to 
support the collaboration of European Entrepreneurs. 

Research and development collaboration 
Development and scaling-up of research results  
Innovation scale-up  

Funding 
innovation which can be extended to soil health and science. 

facilitates  high-risk,  market-creating 

available 

EUR 10.1 billion (70% of the budget earmarked for SMEs) 

  Pathfinder funding: Grants of up to EUR 3 million (can 
receive  additional  funding  for  testing  the  innovation 
potential of their research outputs).  

  Transition  funding:  Grant  funding  up  to  EUR  2.5 

million.  

  Accelerator  funding:  Grant  funding  up  to  EUR  2.5 

million and/or 
Investment support of up to EUR 15 million managed by 
the EIC Fund. (Investments of more than EUR 15 million 
can  be  provided  to  those  working  on  technologies  of 
strategic European interest) 

Direct  management:  European  Innovation  Council  and  SMEs 
Executive Agency (EISMEA) is responsible for developing and 
implementing the European Innovation Council. 

Types of funding 

Funding is provided in the form of grants and investments.  

Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

  Universities 
  Research organisation 
  Start-up 
  Spin-offs 
  High-tech SMEs  
 

Industrial stakeholders  

The EIC provides funding to support research teams, build on 
research results, develop business plans and supports individual 
start-ups and small companies. In 2023, the following projects 
were distinguished for project proposals to be submitted: 

  Pathfinder  funding: 

Involving  a  collaboration  of 
researchers and partners from a minimum of 3 different 
countries,  the  pathfinder  funding  supports  high-risk, 
early-stage development and research of radical, market-
creating technologies. 

36 

 
 
 
  Transition  funding:  Supports  the  development  and 
scaling-up  of  research  results  to  innovation  potential. 
EIC  transition  funds  the  ‘maturation  and  validation  of 
novel  technology  in  the  laboratory  and  application 
environment  and  the  development  of  business  models 
towards the innovation’s future commercialisation. 

  Accelerator  funding:  Supports 

the  scaling  up  of 
innovations by start-ups and SMEs to  develop  ground-
breaking innovations through grant funding, investment, 
coaching, mentoring and access to investors. 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Grants  supporting  the  scale-up  of  high-risk  research  and 
development  can  support  other  environmental/climate  topics 
which  can,  in  turn,  impact  ecosystem  services  such  a  climate, 
water quality, food production and biodiversity. 

Eligibility criteria 

those 

interested 

  Pathfinder 

funding  supports 

in 
technological  research  and  innovation  which  usually 
includes scientists and entrepreneurial researchers. 
  Transition  funding  is  for  small  consortium  (which 
consist of a maximum of 5 partners) or single applicants. 
and 
applications  from  all  Member  States  and  associated 
countries  are  eligible.  Applications  from  start-ups  and 
SMEs with female CEOs are particularly welcomed. 

  Accelerator 

innovators 

supports 

funding 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

  Pathfinder  and  transition  calls  are  found  through  the 
‘Funding  and  Tender  opportunities’  page  (see  link 
below). 

  Accelerator: You will need to prepare a video pitch, slide 
deck,  answers  to  questions  regarding  your  innovation 
and team, and if successful, you will then complete a full 
application (apply through the EIC platform). 

Useful links and 
resources 

EIC Pathfinder 
EIC Transition 
EIC Accelerator 
EIC 2023 work programme (europa.eu) 
Funding and Tender opportunities  
EIC Platform 
EIC FAQs 

37 

 
 
 
 
3.3.3.2  The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) and its Knowledge and 

Innovation Communities (KICs) 20 

The  EIT  is  an  independent  EU  body  which  brings  2900  key 
actors  together  (KIC)  around  the  common  goal  to  reinforce 
Europe’s ability to innovate.  
EIT  primarily  operates  through  KICs  (which  are  thematic 
partnerships  amongst  education, 
research  and  business 
organisations. KICs support the company start-ups, entrepreneur 
training and the development of new products/services. To date, 
there  are  nine  Innovation  Communities  to  address  different 
societal  challenges,  the  one  most  relevant  to  soil  is  EIT  Food 
which  has  168  partners  and  leads  a  global  initiative  in  food 
innovation and production. 

EIT  Food  support  the  creation  and  advancement  of  agri-food 
start-up  companies,  launching  new  products  and  engaging  the 
public alongside 6 key objectives: 

  Overcome low consumer trust; 
  Create consumer-valued food for healthier nutrition; 
  Develop a consumer-centric connected food system; 
  Enhance sustainability through resource stewardship; 
  Educate to engage, innovate and advance; 
  Catalyse food entrepreneurship and innovation; 

 

(protein  diversification,  circular 

Innovation 
food 
systems,  digital  traceability,  sustainable  agriculture, 
sustainable aquaculture and targeted nutrition). 

  Education  (online  &  in  person  learning  such  as  short 

courses, summer schools and PhD programmes). 

  Entrepreneurship  (three  programmes:  Launch-seedbed 
incubator, accelerate – EIT food accelerator network & 
Scale-RisingFoodStars). 

  Public  engagement  (dialogue  and  engagement,  via 
events, offering guidance and school programmes). 

EIT  Food  recognises  the  importance  of  healthy  soils  and  has 
previously supported by: 

  Connecting start-ups with farmers to trial and test new 

innovations in test farms programme;  

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

20 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 

- 

- 
- 

Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications 
Office of the EU (europa.eu) 
European Institute of Innovation & Technology- EIT Food  
EIT Food  

38 

 
 
 
                                                 
  Supporting 
training 
Revolution Programme;  

through 

regenerative  agriculture  by  providing 
the  Regenerative  Agriculture 

Volume of funding 

  Providing 

educational  workshops  on 

emerging 

technologies (‘Grow Workshops’). 

EIT funding: circa EUR 3 billion. 
EIT  Food  financial  allocation  of  over  EUR  150 million  direct 
financial support in the form of grants and investments for the 
period of 2023-2025 
EIT Test farms financial support for RIS start-ups: EUR 3000. 

Type of management 

Direct management: EIT Food is a pan-European organisation 
forming an institutional partnership (Co-funded by the EU). 

Types of funding 

Funding is provided in the form of grants and procurements. 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

  Businesses  
  Entrepreneurs 
  Public Authorities  
  Researchers 
  Students  
  Universities  

  Grants and procurements  
  Courses  
  Events  
  Start-ups 

An example of a previous programme: 
Regenerative  Agriculture  Revolution  programme  (see  link 
below)– As an agri-food company, EIT Food offers services to 
train  your  suppliers  in  the  movement  towards  regenerative 
agriculture practices through:  

  Farmer training and technical assistance; 
  Procurement strategy consulting; 
  Ecosystem measurement services; 
  Knowledge and innovation communities of regenerative 
farmers (development of a regenerative farmers forum to 
share knowledge and experience). 

EIT Food supports research and innovation into other ecosystem 
services by providing grants, events, and courses for their key 
innovation areas: 

  Circular Food Systems 
  Digital Traceability 
  Protein Diversification 

39 

 
 
 
  Sustainable Aquaculture 
  Sustainable Agriculture 
  Targeted Nutrition 

Eligibility criteria 

View specific grant and tenders for specific eligibility detail (see 
link below). 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

  Grants & procurements: View all open calls through the 
‘EIT Food Grants & Procurements’ page which details 
the  eligibility  and  the  application  process  for  each  call 
(see link below) 

  Courses:  View  all  upcoming  courses  through  the  ‘EIT 
Food  Courses’  page  which  will  provide  further 
information  on  each  course  and  where  to  register  (see 
link below) 

  Events: View all upcoming events through the ‘EIT Food 
Events’ page which provides information on each event 
and where to register (see link below) 

Useful links and 
resources 

EIT Food 
Test farms 2022 
The Regenerative Agriculture Revolution 
EIT Food Grants & Procurements  
EIT Food Courses  
EIT Food Events 
EIT Food Start-ups 
EIT Opportunities  

3.3.3.3  European Innovation Ecosystems (EIE)21 

Overview 

Objectives  

The  EIE  focuses  on  building  an  interconnected  and  efficient 
innovation  ecosystem  to  encourage  company  scale  up  and 
support innovation by acting alongside the European Innovation 
Council  (EIC)  and  the  European  Institute  of  Innovation  and 
Technology (EIT). 

  Encourages the assembly of key actors whose common 

goal is innovation. 

  Supports  and  includes  the  affiliation  of  resources, 

organisations, investors and policymakers. 

21 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
European Innovation Ecosystems (2022) 

40 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
Components 

  Development of innovation ecosystems  
  Building network connectivity between ecosystems  
  Funding research & development projects 

Relevance to soil health 

Funding available encourages innovation which can be extended 
to soil health and science. 

Volume of funding 

EUR 527 million 

Type of management 

Direct  management:  EIE  programme  is  run  by  European 
Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). 

Types of funding 

Funding is provided in the form of funds and tenders. Calls are 
found  on  the  ‘Funding  and  Tenders  portal’  page  (see  link 
below). 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

  Public national, regional and/or local authorities 
  Public-owned enterprises 
  SMEs and start-ups 
 
Incubators 
  Accelerators 
  Research institutions 
  Technological organisations 
 
Investors 
  Civil society  
  Social innovators 
  Technology transfer centres  

  CONNECT: Connect consists of actions which develop 
and  expand  innovation  ecosystems  across  Europe  by 
assembling new actors and territories to collaborate with 
existing  local,  regional  and  national  ecosystems  to 
address  global  challenges  which  includes  the  green 
transition. (‘networking’). 

  SCALEUP: Scaleup actions is centred around building 
local, national and European network connectivity in and 
between  ecosystems  to  develop  business  and  put 
companies  in  a  better  position  capture  and  create 
ecosystem opportunities. (‘business growth’). 
INNOVSMES:  Dedicated  to  funding  research  and 
development  projects  run  by  innovative  SMEs  and 
research 
partners 
organisations).  (‘Increase  R&I  capacity  towards  global 
value chains & new markets’). 

(companies, 

universities 

and 

 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

The  funding  available  to  create  more  connected  and  efficient 
ecosystems by supporting the scaling up of companies can spur 

41 

 
 
 
innovation of multiple ecosystem services to address challenges 
such as water quality, food production and biodiversity. 

those  from  non-associated 

Any  legal  entity,  regardless  of  its  place  of  establishment, 
including 
third  countries  or 
international organisations is eligible to participate. Full details 
of eligibility can be found in Horizon Europe -Work Programme 
2021-2022 General Annex B. 

All  funding  information  and  details  on  how  to  apply  are  on 
the Funding and Tenders portal, see link below. 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

European Innovation Ecosystems work programme 
Funding and Tenders portal 

3.4  The Common Agriculture Policy22 

In this chapter the guidance introduces in brief the Common Agricultural  Policy (CAP) and 
provides,  in  a  separate  fiche  targeted  information  on  both  funds  which  together  form  the 
funding basis for the CAP these are: the European Agriculture Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and 
European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) (Section 3.4.1). The CAP has 
recently undergone a significant reform, providing greater focus on alignment with other EU 
initiatives and objectives including increased environmental and climate ambition and a revised 
approach giving Member States increased flexibility. The new CAP is implemented through 
the CAP Strategic Plans and started from 1 January 2023. Each Member State has designed 
and implemented their own CAP Strategic Plan which provides interventions and actions that 
specifically  address  the  needs  of  that  country.  Each  Strategic  Plan  is  based  around  the  ten 
objectives of the new CAP and will contribute to the European Green Deal objectives. Member 
States have increased flexibility in the development of these integrated plans with far greater 
alignment and interaction between the EAGF and the EAFRD than in previous programmes. 
Below please  find more  bespoke  Fiche, designed to  reflect  better the operation of the CAP 
funding overall rather than focusing on individual funds and therefore it differs in structure 
from the other funding opportunities provided in this guidance.  

Overview 

The CAP has existed since 1962, to support farmers and ensure 
Europe’s food security. It is a common policy across the EU and 
funded by EU and Member States budgets. The new CAP (2023-
27) provides support for green practices and is an important tool 

22 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
Key Reforms in the New CAP (2022) 
Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 (2021), European Commission.  
Key policy objectives of the new CAP (2022) 
The Common Agricultural Policy at a Glance (2022) 

42 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
for meeting the Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategies of the 
EU Green Deal. It allows EU Member States the flexibility to 
adapt measures to local conditions. Each of the CAP Strategic 
Plans  for  2023-27  are  designed  with  the  dual  purpose  of 
addressing  the  specific  needs  of  the  agriculture  sector  in  that 
country and meeting the CAP and Green Deal objectives.  

The New CAP seeks to ensure a sustainable future for European 
farmers, provide more targeted support to local conditions and 
different  farms  size,  and  allow  greater  flexibility  for  EU 
countries to adapt measures to local conditions. 
There are ten strategic objectives to the new CAP around which 
the Member States have designed their CAP Strategic Plans.  

  To ensure a fair income for farmers; 
  To increase competitiveness; 
  To improve the position of farmers in the food chain; 
  Climate change action; 
  Environmental care, focusing on the benefits of soil, soil 

health and soil protection; 

  To preserve landscapes and biodiversity; 
  To support generational renewal; 
  Vibrant rural areas; 
  To protect food and health quality; 
  Fostering knowledge and innovation. 

The new CAP has a complex structure including a large number 
of components (described in more detail in section 3.4.1 below) 
with significant flexibility in Member States on how their unique 
CAP  Strategic  Plans  and  funds  are  distributed.  However,  at  a 
higher  level,  the  CAP  provides  funding  opportunities  aligned 
with the below components: 

 

income support through direct payments ensures income 
stability,  linked  to  a  set  of  mandatory  rules  for 
management  requirements  and  minimum  standards  to 
ensure  good  agricultural  and  environmental  conditions 
of agricultural land; 

  Dedicated  part  of  direct  payment  (at  least  25%)  to 
address  specific  need  for  environmental  and  climatic 
concerns (new scheme so called Eco-scheme); 

  market measures to deal with difficult market situations 
such as a sudden drop in demand due to a health scare, 
or a fall in prices as a result of a temporary oversupply 
on the market; 

43 

Objectives  

Components 

 
 
 
  
 

rural  development  measures with  national  and  regional 
programmes to address the specific needs and challenges 
facing rural areas, including environmental aspects. 

targets 

strategy.  Climate 

The  new  CAP  has  higher  environmental  ambitions  and  will 
contribute  to  the  EU  Green  Deal,  Farm  to  Fork  strategy  and 
Biodiversity 
soil 
sequestration  and  adaption  are  also  relevant  to  soil.  Many 
elements  of  the  CAP  are  directly  relevant  to  protection, 
enhancement and restoration of soil health. The CAP provides a 
very important mechanism to drive action to protect soils and, to 
a  limited  extent,  restore  them.  More  detail  on  the  funding 
opportunities  relating  to  soils  are  provided  in  section  3.4.1 
below. 

related 

to 

Relevance to soil health 

3.4.1  Funding  the  CAP:  the  European  Agriculture  Guarantee  Fund  (EAGF)  and  the 

European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)23 

Overview 

rural  development 

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is funded by two funds: the 
European  Agriculture  Guarantee  Fund  (EAGF)  and  European 
Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The new CAP 
seeks to simplify and harmonise the objectives of the CAP and make 
the dual funding sources less distinct than previously. The EAGF will 
generally  be  used  for  direct  payments  and  eco-schemes,  while  the 
EAFRD  supports 
interventions  such  as 
environmental,  climate  and  other  management  commitments, 
conversion to and maintenance of organic farming, Natura 2000 and 
forestry measures and investments in equipment and infrastructure. 
The increased environmental ambition driven by the new CAP will 
be funded by the EAGF through a requirement to support allocate at 
least 25% of Member State funding to environmental delivery. The 
increased  environmental  ambition  is  evident  in  the  enhanced 
conditionality  requirements.  These  requirements  include  meeting 
Statutory  Management  Conditions  (SMRs)  and  Good  Agricultural 
and  Environmental  Conditions  (GAECs).  SMRs  include  existing 
rules EU rules on public, animal and plant health, animal welfare and 
the environment, while GAEC basic requirements have been set out 
for  all  Member  States,  with  options  to  adapt  them  to  respond  to 
national  situations.  New  GAECs  e.g.  GAEC  2  on  protecting 
peatlands  and  wetland,  have  been  added  to  those  in  the  previous 

23 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 December 2021 (2021), European Commission.  
New Common Agricultural Policy (2022)  
Common Agricultural Policy Funds (2022) 

44 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Objectives  

Components 

period, while existing GAECs have been enhanced to ensure that the 
CAP will deliver increased support for more sustainable practices. 

The objectives of CAP  funding are to  support the 10 objectives as 
described in section 3.4, supporting European farmers to transition to 
a sustainable and resilient future, in vibrant and diverse rural areas. 
Since the announcement of the European Green Deal, CAP Strategic 
Plans have also contributed to the Green Deal Farm to Fork Strategy 
and Biodiversity Strategy.  

The  funding  opportunities  align  with  the  different  types  of 
interventions  in  CAP  Strategic  Plans.  The  interventions  are  briefly 
described below.. 
As funded by EAGF 

  Basic income support for sustainability, which is conditional 
on meeting Statutory Management Requirements (SMRs) and 
Good  Agricultural  and  Environmental  Conditions  (GAECs) 
and  is  paid  as  an  annual  decoupled  payment  per  eligible 
hectare.  

  Coupled  income  support  for  nineteen  specific  sectors  or 
specific  types  of  farming  where  they  are  important  for 
environmental or socio-economic reasons. Examples include 
protein crops, olive oil fruit and vegetables and silkworms. 
  Eco-schemes:  new  voluntary  schemes  to  support  climate, 
environment  and  animal  welfare  activities    that  go  beyond 
conditionality.  

  Sectoral interventions for 17 specific sectors, including aid 
schemes to improve the sustainability and competitiveness of 
certain sectors,  such as fruit and vegetables, wine and olive 
oil.  

  Operational programmes for the fruit and vegetable sector 
will  allocate  15%  of  their  spending  on  environmentally 
beneficial activities. 

As funded by EAFRD 

and 

  Agri-environment-climate 

other  management 
commitments. These are usually 5-7 year commitments for 
soil  related  commitments.  These  commitments  also  include 
organic  farming  conversion  and  maintenance,  which  may 
have shorter commitment periods (eg. for conversion). 

  Cooperation,  where  farmers  come  together  to  deal  with 
issues,  for example relating to  soil. This  needs to  be a new 
form of cooperation or a new activity.  Funding can support 
EIP  operational  groups,  LEADER  projects,  the  promotion 
and  support  of  quality  schemes,  producer  groups  and 
organisations or the creation of ‘smart-village strategies. 

45 

 
 
 
  Investments in tangible or intangible assets to help achieve 

one or more of the 10 objectives.  

  Payments  to  compensate  for  natural  or  area  specific 

constraints.  

  Area specific disadvantages due to requirements under the 
Water Framework Directive or Birds and Habitats Directive. 
  Specific  support  for  young  farmers  through  generational 
renewal  payments  for  377  000  new  young  farmers.  This 
includes  efforts  to  improve  gender  equality  and  bolster 
women in farming. 

  Knowledge  exchange  and  innovation  are  also  key  with 
training,  advice  and  knowledge  exchange  as  key  elements 
across all Strategic Plans.  

In  addition  to  the  components  above  there  are  some  additional 
targeting  of  funding  opportunities  based  on  Member  State  specific 
priorities: 
 

In  25  Member  States  small  and  medium  sized  farms  will 
receive  a  larger  proportion  of  direct  payments  than  in 
previous periods, known as the complementary redistributive 
income support for sustainability. 

  15% of farms in the EU are able to receive support to access 
risk management tools such as funding insurance premiums 
or using mutual funds. 

The  CAP  includes  many  areas  which  both  directly  and  indirectly 
support  investments  in  the  protection  of  soils.  The  funding 
opportunities  are  relevant  to  farmers  (for  both  direct  payment  and 
rural development interventions;); land managers, foresters, advisers, 
and  public  administrations  under  rural  development  measures  to 
various  extents.  Despite  each  Member  State  developing  their  own 
Strategic Plan, there are some common soil relevant practices they 
can support. These include (but are not exhaustive):  

  organic farming,  
  agro-ecology practices such as crop rotation and use of cover 

Relevance to soil health 

crops,  

  precision farming,  
  carbon farming  
  erosion prevention strips and wind breaks and 
  high nature value farming. 

Member  States  are  encouraged  to  support  these  farm  practices 
through a single funding stream or through a mix, highlighting the 
complementarity  of  the  instruments.  What  is  key  is  that  each 
intervention will build on the one before. For example, you will start 
with soil management practices under GAECs, these can be improved 
upon  under  Eco-schemes  and  then  further  expanded  under  agri-

46 

 
 
 
environment-climate and other management commitments. They are 
never  however  the  same.  Examples  of  the  soil  relevant  aspects  of 
conditionality  schemes  and  Agri-Environment-Climate  and  other 
management  commitments  are  outlined  below.    The  design  of  all 
interventions depends on the identified needs of each Member State 
as stated in their Strategic Plan. 

Conditionality 
All  payments  are  conditional  on  meeting  SMRs  and  GAEC 
requirements,  also  known  as  conditionality.  GAECs  with  direct 
relevance to soil include:  

  GAEC  2:  Protection  of  wetland  and  peatland,  to  protect 
carbon-rich soils. Each Member State has specified how they 
will monitor and comply with this GAEC. 

  GAEC  3:  Ban  on  burning  arable  stubble  except  for  plant 
health reasons, to maintain soil organic matter. Some Member 
States have extended this prohibition on burning to other crop 
residues  or  and  types  such  as  woody  prunings  or  all 
agricultural land.  

  GAEC  5:  Tillage  management,  reducing  the  risk  of  soil 

degradation and erosion, to limit soil erosion 

  GAEC 6: Minimum soil cover to avoid bare soil in periods 

that are most sensitive 

  GAEC  7:  Crop  rotation  on  arable  land,  except  for  crops 

growing under water, to preserve the soil potential  

Eco-schemes 
Once  the  land  manager  has  met  the  conditionality  requirements  as 
outlined  in  the  SMRs  and  GAECs,  all  farmers  will  have  the 
opportunity  to  volunteer  to  go  beyond  these  requirements.  Each 
Member  State  has  created  Eco-schemes,  which  are  open  to  all 
farmers  to  support  increased  environment,  climate  and  animal 
welfare action. Each Member State is required to spend at least 25% 
of their direct payments (pillar 1) budget on Eco-schemes. 
Eco-schemes are required to cover two areas of action. Those directly 
relevant to soil include:  

  climate  change  mitigation,  including  reduction  of  GHG 
emissions from agricultural practices, as well as maintenance 
and increasing carbon removals; 

  climate change adaptation, including actions to improve the 

resilience of food production systems; 

  protection or improvement of water quality and reduction of 

 

pressure on water resources; 
restoration, 
the  prevention  of  soil  degradation,  soil 
improvement of soil fertility and of nutrient management and 
soil biota; 

47 

 
 
 
 
  protection  of  biodiversity,  conservation  or  restoration  of 
habitats  or  species,  including  maintenance  and  creation  of 
landscape features or non-productive areas. 

Sectoral/market Interventions 
An example of market measures that support soil is article 58, which 
provides investments in intangible assets to enhance the sustainable 
production of wine, including contributing to soil conservation and 
soil  carbon  sequestration.  At  least  5%  of  the  funding  in  the  wine 
sector  will  have  to  be  spent  on  environment  and  climate-related 
objectives, which is a new requirement. 

Rural Development Interventions (Pillar 2) 
At least 35% of rural development funds are expected to be allocated 
to measures to support climate, biodiversity, environment and animal 
welfare.  
Organic farming is one example of a farm practice that encourages 
the  enhancement  of  soil  fertility  that  many  Member  States  are 
supporting under Pillar 2. The Green Deal has a target of land under 
organic farming to be equivalent to a quarter of total agricultural area. 
This follows on from annual increases of 5.5% between 2021-2019. 
Member  States  are  currently  aiming  for  their  target  area  under 
organic farming to be between 5-30%.  It is anticipated that by 2027, 
agricultural area under organics will be nearly 10%, doubled than in 
2020. 
Training,  advice  and  knowledge  exchange  have  a  central  role  to 
play in this period of the CAP. It is likely that the information relative 
to soil from the climate and environmental strands of the CAP will 
play  a  key  role  in  helping  farmers  transition  to  a  more  resource 
efficient, resilient and sustainable agricultural system. More than 200 
000  independent  advisers  will  be  supported  in  their  work  to  help 
transfer knowledge to and increase innovation among farmers. 

EUR 264 billion of EU funding will be available for the 2023-2027 
period.  This  will  be  further  topped  up  by  co-financing  and 
complementary national financing to a total of EUR 307 billion. 32% 
or  nearly  EUR  98  billion  of  total  funding  will  support  efforts  to 
benefit soil, water, climate, air, biodiversity and animal welfare. The 
breakdown  between  these  thematic  areas  is  different  per  MS 
depending on their identified needs.  

Both funds are under a shared management between the EC and the 
national  authorities  in  each  Member  State.  Member  States  are 
responsible for the implementation and primary control of payments. 
There are integrated administration and control systems in place in 
each Member State that are used to receive and process applications 
for CAP payments to farmers and the associated data.  

48 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

 
 
 
 
 
Types of funding 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

  Direct payments to farmers under Pillar I  
  Payment or support under Pillar II (Rural Development) 
  Loans  
  Microcredit 
  Guarantees  
  Equity  
  Quasi-equity  

Each authority can tailor the style and combination of funding as they 
find appropriate. 

Farmers and land managers and others involved in rural development, 
land management and forestry are eligible. Specific details of funding 
opportunities  are  presented  within  Member  States  Strategic  Plans. 
The  majority  of  funding  is  targeted  on  farming  and  agriculture, 
however, opportunities maybe available for others involved in rural 
development, knowledge sharing, administration  of Member States 
programmes.  

Activities  listed  in  SMRs  stemming  from  EU  environmental 
legislation  can  include  some  prescriptions  on  soil,  but  there  is  no 
specific  legislation  at  EU  level  on  soil.  Some  GAECs,  which  are 
further elaborated by individual Member States require specific focus 
on soil restoration and protection and provide a basic level of support 
for  minimum  good  soil  management.  Interventions  beyond  SMRs 
and GAECs include: 
Eco-schemes,  which  can 
include  specific  sustainable  soil 
management  practices,  cover  cropping  etc.  Eco-schemes  are 
voluntary  within  CAP  so  will  vary  between  Member  States. 
Examples include nutrient management planning, reduced cultivation 
practices, support for high nature value farming systems, conversion 
and  maintenance  to  organic  farming,  extensive  grazing  and  many 
more. 
Rural Development interventions 
Rural  development  support  continues  to  cover  environment-  and 
climate-friendly  land  management  (on  farmland  and  forest  land), 
animal  welfare,  and  compensation 
for  natural  and  other 
disadvantages. Funding is available for investments (for example into 
infrastructure or equipment which can support soil health, AECM), 
knowledge-building, innovation and co-operation and in many cases 
targeted at environment- and climate-related needs, although it will 
also  serve other CAP  objectives. These actions  will in  many  cases 
benefit soil management.  

There is a requirement to protect permanent pasture under GAEC 1 
and a ban on conversion of ploughing of permanent pasture in Natura 
2000  sites  under  GAEC  9,  while  GAEC  8  stipulates  a  need  for 
preservation of area valuable for biodiversity at parcel level. 

49 

 
 
 
Farmers  will  increase  their  contribution  on  ecosystem  service  by 
devoting at least 4% of their arable land (and in some Member States 
all  agricultural  land)  to  non-productive  features  and  areas.  Some 
farmers will choose to top this up to 7% through an applicable Eco-
scheme. 
The ‘Cooperation’ intervention supports among others, cooperation 
on environmental issues between farmers, increasing the potential for 
a wider range of water quality, biodiversity, air quality, climate and 
environmental  benefits.  Some  CAP  Strategic  Plans  developed  by 
Member States have elected to include support for Natura 2000 areas. 
The  eco-schemes  and  biodiversity  relevant  interventions  that  go 
beyond the GAECs are different in each Member State. 

Payments  and  funding  are  dependent  upon  a  range  of  eligibility 
criteria and conditions. Direct payments have eligibility condition to 
define  minimum  agricultural  activity  and  the  land  use  type  funds 
under both the EAGF and EARDF will have criteria and conditions 
specific  to  each  Member  States  Strategic  Plans.  These  will  be 
available within the Member States specific guidance. 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Applications are submitted through each Member State’s agricultural 
authority,  who  will  inspect  farms  on  a  regular  basis  to  ensure 
compliance with GAECs and SMRs.  

Useful links and resources 

Common Agricultural Policy Funds explained.  
New  Common  Agricultural  Policy:  set  for  1  January  2023 
(europa.eu) 
New CAP: 2023-27 (europa.eu) 
CAP Strategic Plans by Country 

3.5  Cohesion Policy Funds (CPF)24 

This chapter provides an overview of the Cohesion policy funds and then delivered targeted 
presentation in separate fiches for each fund: 

  European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF) (Section 3.5.1) 

  European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF) – Interreg (Section 3.5.2) 

  Cohesion Fund (Section 3.5.3) 

  Just Transition Fund (JTF) (Section 3.5.4) 

24 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
New Cohesion Policy (2021) 

50 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Overview 

The EU’s Cohesion Policy aims to strengthen economic, social 
and  territorial  cohesion  in  the  EU  with  the  objective  of 
correcting imbalances between the supported states and regions. 

EU’s Cohesion Policy objectives (PO):  

  PO1:  a  more  competitive  and  smarter  Europe  by 
economic 

promoting 
transformation and regional ICT connectivity; 

innovative 

smart 

and 

Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

  PO2: a greener, low-carbon transition towards a net-zero 
carbon  economy  and  resilient  Europe  by  promoting  a 
clean  and  fair  energy  transition,  green  and  blue 
investment,  the  circular  economy,  climate  change 
mitigation  and  adaptation, 
risk  prevention  and 
management, and sustainable urban mobility; 

  PO3: a more connected Europe by enhancing mobility; 
  PO4: a more social and inclusive Europe; 
  PO5: a Europe that is closer to citizens by fostering the 
sustainable  and  integrated  development  of  all  types  of 
territories. 

PO2 is the policy objective that has most relevance to funding 
for soil projects. 

Cohesion  Policy  funds  in  the  2021-2027  programming  period 
comprise of the following funds: 

  European  Regional  Development  Fund  (ERDF)  – 

including the Interreg 
  Cohesion Fund (CF)  
  European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)  
  Just Transition Fund (JTF). 

The ERDF and Interreg’s second policy objective relate to green 
investments  and  can  cover  funding  for  projects  enhancing 
protection  and  preservation  of  nature,  biodiversity  and  green 
infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms 
of pollution. Projects promoting the sustainable management of 
soils can apply for funding under these objectives. Also, through 
these funds there are opportunities to fund projects with a focus 
on regeneration of urban green spaces.  
The  ERDF  and  the  Cohesion  Fund  support  investments 
promoting  climate  change  adaption,  risk  prevention  and 
resilience  to  disaster  risk  which  could  encompass  soil  health 
obligations,  as  well  as  access  to  water  and  sustainable  water 
management.  These  objectives  can  be  addressed  through 
improved climate resilience through healthy soils, better water 
quality and through better soil management.  
The  JTF,  established  to  alleviate  the  negative  impacts  of  the 
climate  transition  in  the  most  affected  regions,  and  its 

51 

 
 
 
include 

restoration 

in  environmental 

investments 
soil 
regeneration, land restoration (including former peatlands) and 
repurposing, and decontamination of brownfield sites. Member 
States  have  allocated  around  EUR  1.6  billion  to  these 
priorities.25 
The ESF+, which predominantly focuses on social issues, is not 
included as it has minimal relevance to soil health.  

3.5.1  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)26 

Overview 

Objectives and scope 

The  ERDF  provides  funding  to  public  and  private  bodies  in  all  EU 
regions to reduce economic, social and territorial disparities, investing 
in areas to make the EU more competitive, greener, more connected, 
social and closer to its citizens. It is one of the funds that makes up the 
Cohesion  Policy  and  targets  areas  relating  to  soil  health  including 
climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation,  access  to  water,  circular 
economy, nature protection and biodiversity. 

The overall objective is  to strengthen economic, social and territorial 
cohesion in the EU, by correcting imbalances between regions.  

It aims to improve the EU under the following policy objectives (PO):  

  PO1: Be more competitive and smarter  – through innovation, 
the development of an inclusive digital society and support for 
SMEs 

  PO2:  Be  greener  –  through  a  reduction  in  greenhouse  gas 
emissions, improved water and waste management, protection 
of  the  environment,  preserving  biodiversity  and  reducing 
pollution 

  PO3: Be more connected – through enhanced mobility  

  PO4: Be more social – via support for effective and inclusive 
employment,  enhancing  the  role  of  culture  and  sustainable 
tourism  

  PO5:  Be  closer  to  citizens  –  by  fostering  sustainable  urban 

development 

Components 

The  objectives  listed  above,  being  more  competitive  and  smarter, 
greener,  more  connected,  social  and  closer  to  citizens,  make  up  the 
components of the ERDF.  

25 information from DG REGIO. 
26 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
European Regional Development Fund (2022) 

52 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
The ERDF supports investment in innovation, demonstration, piloting 
and commercialisation activities that enhance the deployment of new 
technologies that are necessary for the transition to a greener economy. 

Projects and programmes within these objectives, and of funding must 
contribute  towards  the  specific  policy  objectives.  In  the  current 
programming period, all regions and Member States should concentrate 
at least 30% of their allocation to PO2. Additionally, more developed 
regions or Member States will dedicate at least 85% of their allocation 
to PO1 and PO2, transition regions or Member States at least 40% to 
PO1, and less developed regions or Member States at least 25% to PO1. 

The  ERDF  funds  projects  relate  to  soil  health  via  climate  change 
mitigation  and  adaptation,  access  to  water,  circular  economy,  nature 
protection  and  biodiversity.  Indirectly,  it  can  also  have  an  impact  on 
soil  via  its  focus  on  employment,  education,  skills,  social  inclusion, 
culture,  sustainable  tourism.  There  is  an  emphasis  on  reducing 
economic, environmental and social inequality in urban and rural areas, 
thus projects relating to soil in urban and rural areas are appropriate for 
this fund.  
Through PO2, the ERDF may directly target environmentally beneficial 
projects  related  to  soil  management  or  benefitting  soil  health,  for 
example  through  funding  projects  enhancing  the  protection  and 
preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including 
in urban and rural areas, and reducing all forms of pollution.  
The  ERDF  notably  finances  sustainable  land  use  projects  including 
re-
innovative  planning 
naturalisation of contaminated land and the transformation of misused 
and  abandoned  built  areas  into  productive  spaces,  both  of  which  are 
relevant to project proposals related to soil management.  
At least 30% of all Member State allocations will go to PO2 and 85% 
of funds from more developed regions or Member States will go to PO1 
and PO2. This means a large proportion of the fund will be available 
for  projects  that  contribute  towards  a  greener  Europe  and  associated 
goals, and which can include soil related activities. 

land-management 

instruments 

and 

Relevance to soil health 

Volume of funding 

For  the  programming  period  2021-2027,  EUR  300  billion  (EUR  206 
billion from the EU and EUR 94 billion from Member States). There is 
EUR  10.6  billion  allocated  to  investments  aiming  at  climate  change 
adaptation  and  disaster  risk  management  and  EUR  5.8  billion  to 
investments  in  enhancing  protection  and  preservation  of  nature, 
biodiversity  and  green  infrastructure,  and  reducing  all  forms  of 
pollution. 

Type of management 

Shared management- the ERDF management is shared between the EC, 
national and regional authorities in each Member State, and it operates 

53 

 
 
 
 
according  to  the  co-financing  principle.  This  means  when  a  project 
receives  funding  from  the  ERDF,  the  Member  State  authority  must 
provide  funding  from  its  budget  as  well.  Co-financing  rates  vary 
depending on the development level of the region.  
Member  State  authorities  administrating  the  ERDF  choose  which 
projects  will  be  supported.  Partnership  Agreements  are  the  national 
strategic documents outlining the framework for the management of EU 
structural and investment funds in a specific Member State. It usually 
covers what support is made available from different funds, including 
ERDF. Partnership Agreement can identify different strategic mutually 
reinforcing priorities through which the country will implement the EU 
Cohesion Policy in line with the EU’s strategy for inclusive, smart and 
sustainable growth.  

Member  States  can  use  the  contribution  from  the  ERDF  to  provide 
support to beneficiaries in the form of:  

Types of funding 

  Grants 

  Financial instruments, for example:  

-  Loans  
-  Guarantees  
-  Equity  
-  Quasi-equity  

  A combination thereof 

Managing Authorities (MA) can tailor financial products according to 
their needs and capabilities or structure the financial instrument based 
on  terms  and  conditions  provided  by  the  EC  for  ‘off‑the‑shelf’ 
instruments. 

Member  States  or  regional  MA  decide  which  project  promoters  are 
eligible  to  receive  ERDF  funding.  Examples  of  the  types  of 
organisations that may be eligible include:  

Targeted beneficiaries 

  SME  

  Research organisations  

  Public authorities  

  NGOs  

  Civil society organisations  

Types of projects / 
activities  

MA in individual countries or regions decide the type of project eligible 
for funding. Examples of potential projects include:  

 

Investments in infrastructure, for example, equipment to enable 
sustainable soil management practices; 

54 

 
 
 
  Activities  for  applied  research  and  innovation,  including 
industrial  research,  experimental  development  and  feasibility 
studies; 

  Productive  investments  in  SMEs  and  investments  aiming  to 
safeguard existing jobs and create new jobs, for example, jobs 
in rural communities with a focus on soil management practices;  

 

 

 

Investments  in  equipment,  software  and  intangible  assets  that 
would improve soil management practices; 

Investments  in  networking,  cooperation,  the  exchange  of 
experiences,  and  activities  involving  innovation  clusters, 
including between businesses, research organisations and public 
authorities; 

Investments  in  information,  communication  and  studies,  for 
example, improved education on soil management practices in 
agricultural training institutions.  

Managing  Authorities  must  ensure  that  programme  interventions 
respect  the  do  no  significant  harm  (DNSH)  principle.  The  type  of 
projects, the assessment and the selection criteria also all depend on the 
individual programme.  

Projects  funded  through  ERDF  under  PO2  (greener,  low  carbon 
transition)  will  enable  a  reduction  in  greenhouse  gas  emissions, 
improved  water  and  waste  management,  the  protection  of  the 
environment,  and  the  preservation  of  biodiversity  and  reduction  of 
pollution.  Projects  that  support  these  activities  play  a  vital  role  in 
supporting the improvement of soil function and the provision of soil 
ecosystem services.  
Those funded under PO5 (‘closer to citizens’) will support the fostering 
of sustainable urban development. Many urban soils are contaminated, 
degraded  and  of  poor  quality,  meaning  that  they  cannot  function. 
Projects  that  support  the  improvement  of  soil  health  and  function 
through  sustainable  urban  development  with  enhance  ecosystem 
services within urban and rural spaces. Further, practices undertaken as 
part  of  sustainable  urban  development  can  support  better  rainwater 
management,  flooding  reduction,  reduction  of  the  urban  heat  island 
effect,  GHG  emissions  reduction  and  carbon  storage,  increase  in 
biodiversity  levels,  as  well  as  other  functions  that  support  the  wider 
environment and climate.  

As funding is allocated on a region-by-region basis, eligibility rules set 
by national and regional MAs apply along with EU regulations. These 
cover: 

  Time  period:  there  are  limits  on  the  period  during  which 

operations and expenditure can take place; 

55 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Eligibility criteria 

 
 
 
  Scope  of  intervention:  there  are  restrictions  on  the  types  of 

activities that can be co-financed; 

  Cost categories: certain cost categories are excluded; 

  Geographical location of operations: only certain locations are 

eligible; 

  Durability  of  operations: 

to  be 
maintained  for  a  minimum  period  after  the  operation  is 
completed; 

investments  may  have 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

  Types  of  beneficiaries:  only  certain  enterprises,  bodies  or 

economic actors are eligible for support. 

Each MA will have a different application procedure; some may have 
ongoing applications, and some may only accept applications at certain 
times. Currently, the new 2021-2027 programmes are being drawn up. 
When  these  are  finalised  by  each  Member  State,  there  will  be  an 
opportunity to start applying for new project calls. 
See the link below to the MAs websites.  

Useful links and resources 

Further information on the ERDF 
Accessing regional funds 
Contact information for the ERDF MAs 

3.5.2  European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – Interreg programmes27 

Overview 

Objectives  

Interreg programmes are financed by the ERDF and are designed to 
encourage  cooperation  across  regions  and  countries  on  a  range  of 
issues, one of which is environmental protection. Geographical areas 
covered  include  EU  Member  States,  Member  State  regions,  EU 
enlargement countries and neighbourhood countries. The cooperation 
with  enlargement  and  neighbourhood  countries  is  financed  also  by 
the 
the  Instrument  for  Pre-Accession  Assistance  (IPA)  and 
Neighbourhood,  Development  and 
International  Cooperation 
Instrument (NDICI). 

Interreg  /  European  territorial  cooperation  programmes  directly 
contribute  to  the  achievement  of  EU  Cohesion  policy  objectives. 
Owing  to  their  special  nature,  these  programmes  are  implemented 
differently from mainstream ERDF programmes. 

27 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 

- 

- 

Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications 
Office of the EU (europa.eu) 
About Interreg (2022) 

56 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
The aim of Interreg programmes is to promote cooperation between 
regions  and  countries  to  support  their  economic  and  social 
development and tackle the obstacles of borders.  
Interreg comprises the 5 EU cohesion policy objectives (PO) and 2 
Interreg Specific Objectives (ISO). The final two are new additions 
to the 2021-2027 programming period:  

  PO1: A more competitive and smarter Europe  
  PO2: A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero 

carbon economy and resilient Europe 

  PO3: A more connected Europe  
  PO4: A more social and inclusive Europe  
  PO5: A Europe closer to citizens  
 
 

(ISO) 1: A better Cooperation governance 
(ISO) 2: A safer and more secure Europe 

Interreg  programmes  must  focus  their  support  (this  is  referred  as 
thematic concentration) on a given number of policy objectives, and 
PO2 must always be included. 

There are four types (or strands) of Interreg programmes: 

  Cross-border  cooperation  (Interreg  A),  which  focuses  on 
promoting 
regional  development  between 
neighbouring land and maritime border regions in the territory 
of the European Union; 

integrated 

 

  Transnational cooperation (Interreg B) promotes cooperation 
between national, regional and local partners in transnational 
programme areas in order to increase the territorial integration 
of these areas; 
Interregional  cooperation  (Interreg  C)  focuses  on 
the 
reinforcement of the effectiveness of the cohesion policy on a 
pan-European  level  and  does  not  only  involve  the  27  EU 
Member States but also neighbouring countries; it promotes 
networking,  innovative  approaches  and  capacity  building 
with  the  aim  of  identifying  and  transferring  good  practices 
and strengthening the exchange of experiences in the field of 
regional  and  urban  development,  as  well  as  analysing 
development  trends  in  relation  to  the  aims  of  territorial 
cohesion; 

Components 

  Outermost  regions’  cooperation  (Interreg  D)  supports 
cooperation  among  the  outermost  regions  themselves  and 
with  their  neighbouring  countries,  overseas  countries  and 
integration  and  cooperation 
territories,  and 
organisations 
and 
development in their neighbourhood. 

integration 

facilitate 

regional 

regional 

to 

57 

 
 
 
Relevance to soil health 

Ambitions under PO2, a greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a 
net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe are most relevant to 
soil. It aims to promote, among others:  
  A net-zero carbon economy  
  Clean and fair energy transition  
  Circular economy  
  Climate change mitigation  

It will also fund projects that invest in biodiversity.  

Volume of funding 

For the programming period 2021-2027, EUR 10 billion  

Type of management 

Shared  management  -  management  of  the  Interreg  fund  is  shared 
between  the  EC  and  the  Managing  Authority  (MA)  located  in 
participating Member States. The MA is a body that supervises the 
overall implementation of an Interreg programme. It is assisted by a 
joint  secretariat,  which  supports  the  MA  in  the  day-to-day 
management of a programme. The joint secretariat is also the main 
contact point for applicants and project partners. 
Interreg operates according to the co-financing principle. This means 
when a project receives funding from the ERDF, the Member State 
authority  must  provide  funding  from  the  Member  State  budget  as 
well.  The  co-financing  rate  for  Interreg  programmes  is  generally  a 
maximum of 80%, although with possibilities for higher co-financing 
rates for Interreg D programmes (outermost regions) and for external 
cross-border cooperation programmes. 

Interreg programmes can provide support to beneficiaries in the form 
of:  

Types of funding 

  Grants 
  Financial instruments  
  A combination thereof  

The type of beneficiaries eligible to receive support is decided by the 
programme’s MA, meaning this varies across regions. Examples of 
organisations that may be eligible include:  

Targeted beneficiaries 

  SMEs 
  Research organisations  
  Public authorities  
  NGOs  
  Civil society organisations  

Types of projects / activities  

Interreg A, B and D programmes support cooperation through project 
funding  to  jointly  tackle  common  challenges  and  to  find  shared 
solutions in different fields. One such field is the environment, which 
means  these  programmes  are  appropriate  to  support  soil  health 
projects  with  environmental benefits.  Examples of projects  include 
developing  and  integrating  green  infrastructure  and  encouraging 

58 

 
 
 
Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

SMEs  to  assess  and  address  resource  use  issues.  Interreg  C 
programmes often support more intangible actions such as capacity 
building  and  the  exchange  of  experiences,  mostly  among  public 
authorities. 

As per the PO2, the ERDF may directly target the environment, for 
the  protection  and 
example  by  funding  projects  enhancing 
preservation  of  nature,  biodiversity  and  green 
infrastructure, 
including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution. Projects 
funded  under  Interreg  often  address  issues  such  as  pollution 
problems, loss of biodiversity, as these are issues that extend beyond 
national  borders.  Projects  relating  to  soil  health  that  fall  into  these 
areas  are  likely  to  have  positive  co-benefits  for  biodiversity, 
preservation of nature and the improvements of green spaces.  

The  eligibility  criteria  depend  on  the  type  (strand)  of  Interreg 
programme  and  the  content  set  out  in  each  specific  programme. 
General criteria include the type of organisation, for example public 
and non-profit organisations, and a minimum size of the consortium. 
In addition, applicants may be eligible if they are located in the area 
that is covered by the specific programme. Likewise, as cooperation 
between  several  countries  is  required,  the  partnership/consortium 
must include partners from other countries/regions addressed by the 
specific programme. 
Information on the eligibility criteria for each project can be found 
on the Interreg website, see link below. 

Calls for new projects can be found on the Interreg website see the 
links below.  

  Calls for projects 
  EC website  
 
 

Interreg website  
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance for EU candidate 
countries 

Useful links and resources 

  Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation 

Instrument 
Interreg project database  

 
  The legal basis 
  From transforming food system in the Baltic to inspiring the 

world Interreg.eu 

59 

 
 
 
 
 
3.5.3  Cohesion Fund28 

Overview 

Objectives  

The  Cohesion  Fund  was  established  for  the  purpose  of 
strengthening the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the 
EU  in  the  interests  of  promoting  sustainable  development.  It 
supports Member States with a GNI per capita below 90% of the 
EU-27  average.  In  the  2021-2027  programming  periods  it 
provides support to: 

 

Investment in the environment, including areas related to 
sustainable  development  and  energy  which  present 
environmental benefits; 

  Trans-European  networks  in  the  area  of  transport 

infrastructure (TEN-T); 

  Technical assistance.  

The  fund  mainly  contributes  to  investments  in  the  field  of 
environment  and  trans-European  networks  in  the  area  of 
transport infrastructure and can also be used to promote projects 
that benefit soil health.  

This  fund  aims  at  meeting  two  of  the  five  objectives  of  the 
Cohesion Policy Fund in the 2021-2027 period, which are PO2 
(a greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon 
economy  and  resilient  Europe)  and  PO3  (more  connected 
Europe). PO2 is most relevant to soil health. 

The Cohesion Fund focus on the following components: 

  Promoting  energy  efficiency  and  reducing  greenhouse 

gas emissions; 

  Promoting  renewable  energy  and  developing  smart 

energy systems, grids and storage; 

  Promoting  climate  change  adaptation  and  disaster  risk 

prevention and resilience; 

  Promoting  access  to  water  and  sustainable  water 

Components 

management; 

  Promoting  the  transition  to  a  circular  and  resource-

efficient economy; 

  Enhancing  the  protection  and  preservation  of  nature, 
biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban 
areas, 

  And reducing all forms of pollution; 
  Promoting  sustainable  multimodal  urban  mobility,  as 

part of transition to a net-zero carbon economy; 

28 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 

- 

- 

Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications 
Office of the EU (europa.eu) 
Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 (2021), European Commission.  

60 

 
 
 
                                                 
  Developing  a  climate-resilient, 

intelligent,  secure, 
sustainable  and  intermodal  trans-European  transport 
network; 

  Developing and enhancing sustainable, climate-resilient, 
intelligent  and  intermodal  national,  regional  and  local 
mobility,  including  improved  access  to  the  trans-
European transport network and cross-border mobility. 

Projects  that  aim  to  promote  climate  change  adaptation  and 
disaster risk prevention  and resilience  can support soil carbon 
sequestration  or  soil  health  projects  that  increase  resilience  to 
climate change, which is especially important under PO2.  
Projects funded through the Cohesion Fund that seek to promote 
access to water and sustainable water management can indirectly 
support  soil  health;  improving  water  management  specifically 
can support improvements in soil health by reducing erosion and 
other soil pressures.  
Projects  that  aim  to  promote  the  transition  to  a  circular  and 
resource-efficient  economy  can  have  major 
impacts  on 
improving  soil  health,  particularly  where  they  support  the 
restoration,  remediation,  protection  and  improvement  of  soil 
health,  and  support  the  sustainable  use  of  soil  to  improve 
resource efficiency.  
Projects that are focused on reducing all forms of pollution could 
enable the protection of soil by reducing diffuse pollution and 
emissions to soil from (for example) agriculture, industry, and 
construction.  
Finally,  projects  that  aim  to  enhance  the  protection  and 
preservation  of  nature,  biodiversity  and  green  infrastructure, 
including in urban areas, will also have similar impacts on soil 
health and the use of soil. 

For the programming period 2021-2027, EUR 48.03 billion, of 
which EUR 11.29 billion transferred to the Connecting Europe 
Facility (the latter budget is allocated to transport infrastructure 
only  and  hence  not  directly  allocated  to  soil  health  projects). 
Member States have allocated EUR 1.97 billion to investments 
aiming  at  climate  change  adaptation  and  disaster  risk 
management and EUR 1.56 billion to investments in enhancing 
protection  and  preservation  of  nature,  biodiversity  and  green 
infrastructure, and reducing all forms of pollution. 

Shared  management-  the  Cohesion  Fund  operates  under  the 
shared  management  principle,  between  the  EC  and  individual 
Member States.  

The  options  below  are  available,  including  any  combination 
thereof.  

  Grants  

61 

Relevance to soil health 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

 
 
 
  Financial instruments  
  Prizes  

Targeted beneficiaries 

Research  and  academia,  NGOs  and  civil  society,  large 
enterprises,  SMEs,  public  authorities  (specific  Member  State 
only, which is detailed in the ‘Eligibility section’ below).  

Types of projects / 
activities  

Investments  in  the  environment,  most  of  which  are  related  to 
climate and low carbon transportation between Member States. 

Promoting  soil  management  practices  that  increase  climate 
resilience  and  sustainable  water  management  will  have  a 
positive impact on water quality and biodiversity. The enhanced 
protection  and  preservation  of  nature,  biodiversity  and  green 
infrastructure  through  the  fund  will  benefit  forestry  and 
biodiversity. Cohesion Fund projects have also benefited forest 
fire protection measures.  
Projects funded under the Cohesion Fund that seek to promote 
climate  change  adaption  and  disaster  risk  prevention  and 
resilience related to soil may have co-benefits in carbon capture 
and storage, which supports climate mitigation.  
Promoting access to water and sustainable water management, 
which can be enabled through good soil management practices, 
can support a wider range of other ecosystem services, such the 
better functioning of soil and improvement of soil health as well 
as encouraging increases in soil organic carbon (SOC). Further, 
other  ecosystem  services  related  to  regulating  and  supporting 
services, such as climate change mitigation, water runoff,  and 
water cycling can be achieved.  
Projects that aim to enhance the protection and preservation of 
nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban 
areas  will  also  have  similar  impacts  on  soil  health;  soil  is  the 
basis  for  a  good  functioning  ecosystem  and  improving  soil 
health  will  enable  it  to  better  support  the  wider  ecosystem. 
Further, healthy soil contains an extensive array of biodiversity 
that  support  its  correct  functioning.  Finally,  projects  that  are 
focused  on  reducing  all  forms  of  pollution  could  enable  the 
protection of soil by reducing diffuse pollution and emissions to 
soil  and  can  have  positive  impacts  on  other  parts  of  the 
environment, such as air and water, and support biodiversity. 

The Cohesion Fund is only for EU Member States with a GNI 
per  capita  below  90%  of  the  EU-27  average.  This  currently 
includes  (2023):  Bulgaria,  Czechia,  Estonia,  Greece,  Croatia, 
Cyprus,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Hungary,  Malta,  Poland,  Portugal, 
Romania, Slovenia and Slovakia. 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Applications  are  submitted  through  the  Managing  Authorities 
(MA)  for  specific  regions  or  countries.  See  the  link  below 
containing information for relevant MAs. 

62 

 
 
 
Useful links and 
resources 

Inforegio - Managing authorities (europa.eu) 

3.5.4  Just Transition Fund (JTF) 29 

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

The  JTF  is  the  first  pillar  of  the  Just  Transition  Mechanism 
(JTM) which is meant to alleviate the negative impacts of the 
transition  towards  climate  neutrality,  focusing  on  the  most 
affected regions.  

The aim of JTF is to help the most affected regions to alleviate 
the negative impacts of the transition and to carry out transition 
necessary to  achieve at least a 55% reduction in emissions by 
2030, and climate neutrality by 2050. 

The JTF supports the economic diversification and reconversion 
of the territories concerned. This means 

 
Investments in SMEs 
  Creation of new firms 
  Research and innovation 
  Environmental rehabilitation 
  Clean energy 
  Up- and reskilling of workers 
  Job-search assistance 
  Transformation of existing carbon-intensive installations 

There are no distinct components or pillars within the JTF itself.  
The  JTF  is  the  first  pillar  of  the  JTM.  The  InvestEU  Just 
Transition  scheme, and  a new Public Sector  Loan Facility  are 
the two other pillars of the JTM. 

The  JTF  is  relevant  to  soil  health  as  it  can  support  projects 
directly related to soil health, such as: 

Relevance to soil health 

  Soil regeneration 
  Land restoration and repurposing  
  Decontamination of brownfield sites  

There are also key areas supported by the JTF, that can indirectly 
be relevant to soil health. These include: 

29 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
Just Transition Fund (2022) 
InvestEU  

63 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
  Research and Innovation: this could cover research into 
soil  health  and  new  methods  and  technologies  for 
improving it.  

  Circular  economy:  efficient  and  sustainable  use  and 
management of resources  including land and nutrients, 
can has the potential to improve soil health. 

EUR  19.32  billion,  of  which  EUR  10.87  billion  under  Next 
Generation EU. Out of this total amount, Member States have 
allocated  around  EUR  1.6  billion  to  priorities  relating  to  soil 
health.  

Shared  management  –  national  and  regional  authorities  in 
charge of the administration of the JTF choose which projects 
are to be supported.  

  Grants are the primary modality for financing under the 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

JTF 

  Financial instruments 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

The  JTF  will  focus  on  the  territories/regions  most  negatively 
affected  based  on  the  economic  and  social  impacts  resulting 
from  the transition. These being the  regions  that  rely, or until 
recently have relied on fossil fuels or greenhouse gas intensive 
industries.  
Large enterprises (enterprises other than SMEs) can only receive 
support  from  JTF  in  very  limited  cases  if  meeting  specified 
conditions.  

Eligible investments under the JTF may include: 

  Conversion of abandoned mine land, oil shale extraction 
sites  or  land  of  former  peatlands  and  greenhouse-gas 
intensive industries into new uses; 

  Repurposing  projects  where  it  is  directly  linked  to  the 
JTF 
the 
specific  objective  and  contributes 
implementation of the territorial just transition plan; 

to 

  Soil decontamination and remediation; 
  Rehabilitation of industrial sites and contaminated land; 
  Transitioning away from peat as a fuel source; 
  Rewetting  and  restoring  peatlands,  marshland,  and 

swamps.  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

The  JTF  makes  a  direct  contribution  to  the  environment  by 
supporting projects  that aim to  enhance the circular economy, 
develop  green  infrastructure  and  clean  energy,  or  perform 
environmental rehabilitation, including land restoration. 

Eligibility criteria 

Eligibility criteria specific to the projects is identified by each 
Member State. Member States and the Commission will together 

64 

 
 
 
Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

agree  on  regions  that  are  eligible  for  funding  under  the  JTF 
(those most vulnerable to the transition to climate neutrality).  

The application for funding will depend on each Member State. 
Projects to be funded are decided by the authorities within each 
Member State who are responsible for the administration of the 
JTF.  More  information  can  be  found  on  the  Q&A  about 
accessing the fund (see link below).  

Useful links and 
resources 

Inforegio - Managing Authorities (europa.eu) 
Inforegio - Accessing the funds (europa.eu) 
Just Transition Platform Website  

3.6  Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)30 

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

LIFE  is  the  EU  funding  instrument  for  environmental  and 
climate  related  action.  It  has  co-financed  more  than  5,500 
projects since its inception in 1992, including many soil-related 
projects.  LIFE  is  the  EU’s  only  dedicated  fund  to  support 
environmental and climate objectives. Given its size, its aim is 
to catalyse far reaching impacts rather than providing substantial 
and comprehensive funding.  

Through various financing flows, LIFE aims to enable a shift in 
the  EU  and  globally  towards  a  sustainable,  circular,  climate-
neutral  and  resilient  economy,  with  the  aim  of  protecting, 
restoring,  and  improving  the  quality  of  the  environment, 
including soil, and to tackle ecosystem degradation. 

There are four subprogrammes that LIFE focuses on:  

  Nature and biodiversity 
  Circular economy and quality of life 
  Climate change mitigation and adaptation 
  Clean energy transition 

Within  the  LIFE  Regulation,  it  is  stated  that  the  programme 
should  contribute  towards  the  restoration  and  improvement  of 
the  quality  of  the  environment,  which  includes  soil.  The 
programme  is  designed  to  support  the  demonstration  of 
techniques,  best  practices,  and  innovative  solutions  that  can 

30 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
LIFE (europa.eu) 
Regulation (EU) 2021/ of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing a Programme for the Environment and 
Climate Action (LIFE), and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 (europa.eu) 
Commission Implementing Decision on the adoption of the multiannual work programme for the years 2021-2024 for the LIFE programme 

65 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
support the development of sustainable farming practices, which 
can support soil health improvements. 
Under  the  current  Multiannual  Work  Programme  (MAWP) 
period  for  2021-2024,  the  LIFE  programme  seeks  to  focus 
specifically on encouraging changes needed to deal with societal 
challenges  by  combining  efforts  with  Horizon  Europe,  in 
particular its Missions in support of the European Green Deal 
(Climate adaptation, Climate neutral cities, Oceans and Soils), 
among several other areas. 
The nature and biodiversity subprogramme is relevant to soil 
health, because for instance healthy soil contains an extensive 
array of biodiversity that support its correct functioning. Further, 
soil is the basis for a functioning ecosystem and improving soil 
health will enable it to better support wider ecosystems. 
Under this subprogramme and during the current MAWP period, 
LIFE  will  support  technical  assistance  projects  specifically 
related  to  governance  actions  to  facilitate  behavioural  change 
and/or changes in practices related to soil management and the 
conservation of natural resources. 
The  circular  economy  and  quality  of  life  subprogramme 
covers soil quality and soil health projects. This subprogramme 
is  specifically  related  to  facilitating  the  transition  towards  a 
sustainable and toxic-free circular economy and protecting and 
restoring  the  quality  of  the  environment.  This  includes 
supporting 
remediation,  protection  and 
improvement  of  soil  health,  within  natural  or  managed 
ecosystem  boundaries,  to  provide  ecosystem  services,  in 
particular to sustain plant and animal productivity, maintain or 
enhance  water  and  air  quality,  and  support  human  health  and 
habitats and to prevent soil loss. 
Under this subprogramme and during the current MAWP period, 
LIFE  is  focused  on  supporting  relevant  EU  priorities  by 
protecting the quality of EU soil, preventing soil degradation and 
increasing  resilience  of  soils  to  climate  threats  and  combat 
desertification  through  sustainable  practices  of  soil  and  land 
management, remediating from soil pollution and enhancing the 
capacity  to  improve  water  quality  through  reduced  nitrate 
leakage  and  to  reduce  emissions  through  carbon  storage  and 
preventing and mitigating soil sealing. 
The 
adaptation 
subprogramme supports projects in the areas of farming, land 
use  and  peatland  management,  and  the  areas  of  land-use 
planning.  

change  mitigation 

restoration, 

climate 

and 

the 

66 

 
 
 
Under this subprogramme and during the current MAWP period, 
LIFE will support projects related to climate change mitigation 
that  provide  support  to  sustainable  land,  forest  and  soil 
management practices, which reduce emissions or remove CO2 
from the atmosphere.  
The  clean  energy  transition  subprogramme  is  not  relevant  for 
soil health.  

EUR 5.43 billion is set aside in total for the LIFE programme. 
For the subprogrammes, the budget split is as follows (for 2021-
2027 period): 

  Nature and biodiversity: EUR 2.14 billion; 
  Circular economy and quality of life: EUR 1.34 billion; 
  Climate  change  mitigation  and  adaptation:  EUR  947 

million; 

  Clean energy transition: EUR 997 million. 

Direct management- LIFE is directly managed through call for 
proposals and tenders by the EC. The LIFE Programme is part 
of  CINEA  (European  Climate  Infrastructure  and  Environment 
Executive Agency) 

Funding is provided in the form of grants, loans, and equity.  
The  LIFE  Regulation  states  that  there  are  certain  co-finance 
rates to be aware of with relevance to soil health related projects, 
which are as follows: 

  For  Strategic  Nature  Projects  (SNAPs)  and  Strategic 
Integrated Projects (SIPs), and standard action projects, 
the co-finance rate is 60% maximum, 

  For  standard  action  projects  under  the  nature  and 
biodiversity  sub-programme,  the  co-financing  rate  is 
60%  maximum.  It  is  possible  to  apply  for  a  higher 
funding 
priority 
habitats/species: if exclusively, 75%; if both priority and 
non-priority habitats/species, 67%, 

project 

targets 

rate 

the 

if 

  For  non-profit  entities,  the  co-finance  rate  is  70% 

maximum. 

Targeted  beneficiaries  include  business,  public  authorities, 
research/academia, and NGOs/civil society. 
Beneficiaries  eligible  under  LIFE  should  be  one  of  the 
following: 

  A public or private legal entity registered in the EU, or 

an overseas country or territory linked to it; 

  A third country associated to the LIFE programme; or 

67 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

Targeted beneficiaries 

 
 
 
Types of projects / 
activities  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

  A  legal  entity  created  under  Union  law  or  any 

international organisation. 
Natural persons are not eligible to apply. 

The LIFE programme funds environment projects and projects 
that provide technical assistance for actions in the areas of:  
research and innovation; 
knowledge sharing and demonstration, and  
implementation  of  improved  sustainable  land  management 
practices.  
LIFE  enables  funding  for  projects  that  aim  to  assist  the 
preparation  of  SNAPs  or  SIPs.  SNAPs  and  SIPs  support  the 
implementation of plans or strategies that are required through 
legislation or policy. 
There are a wide range of projects funded through LIFE, with 
many  of  them  being  soil  related.  For  example  research  and 
innovation projects on soil management, such as: LIFE+ Crops, 
LIFE  HelpSoil,  LIFE  OrgBalt,  Soil4Life,  LIFE  MySOIL,  and 
SoilPro. 
More examples of projects funded through LIFE can be found 
at: LIFE 3.0 - LIFE Project Public Page (europa.eu). 

Projects  under  the  nature  and  biodiversity  subprogramme 
could contribute towards the better management of the Natura 
2000 network and work towards achieving the objectives of the 
Biodiversity  Strategy  for  2030  and  the  EU  Soil  Strategy  for 
2030. Soil biodiversity is the basis for many ecosystem services: 
biodiversity  supports  correct  soil  functioning,  and  therefore 
affords ecosystem services such as supporting, regulating, and 
provisional services. Projects within this subprogramme would 
also  support  wider  biodiversity  protections  and  improvements 
beyond soil. 
Projects  under  the  circular  economy  and  quality  of  life 
subprogramme can work towards facilitating the transition to 
sustainable  and  toxic-free  economies  and  protecting  and 
restoring  the  quality  of  the  environment.  As  projects  funded 
under  this  programme  are  funded  specifically  to  support  the 
recovery of soil resources, there will be various improvements 
to soil health and the good functioning of soil ecosystem services 
as  a  result,  similarly  to  project  outcomes  under  the  other 
subprogrammes. Projects under this subprogramme would also 
support wider ecosystem services, such as nutrient cycling. 
Projects under the climate change mitigation and adaptation 
subprogramme  can  have  positive  impacts  on  soil  health 

68 

 
 
 
 
through research and innovation, technical work, and policy or 
plan  implementation  in  the  areas  of  farming,  land  use  and 
peatland  management,  and  land-use  planning.  Projects  under 
this  subprogramme  can  seek  to  develop  and  improve  farming 
and  land-use  practices,  such  as  soil  conservation  measures, 
which can support the better functioning of soil and improve soil 
health as well as encouraging increases  in  soil organic carbon 
(SOC). Projects  that are  focused on  restoring  and maintaining 
peatland  areas  (which  contain  organic  soils)  similarly  aim  to 
increase SOC levels  and support the better functioning of soil 
ecosystem  services,  specifically  related  to  regulating  and 
supporting  services,  such  as  climate  change  mitigation,  water 
runoff, and water cycling.  

There  are  various  eligibility  requirements  for  the  LIFE 
programme.  See  ‘Targeted  beneficiaries’  section  for  more 
details  on  what  projects  or  entities  are  eligible  to  submit  a 
proposal under the LIFE Programme.  
Co-financing  criteria  can  be  found  in  the  ‘Types  of  funding’ 
section. 

Applications  are  available  through  the  EC  funding  and  tender 
opportunities portal (see link below) 
At the end of the project, from 5 to 10 page, report should be 
made which summarises the work and the results of the project, 
as well as highlighting the long-term environmental and climate 
benefits.  
Projects must also report on Key Performance Indicators at the 
project  level  (KPIs),  indicating  at  the  proposal  stage  what  the 
expected  environmental  results  and  also  socio-economic 
benefits are. Following project completion, the beneficiary must 
report on the realised KPIs at a point during the project (First 
Snapshot), and again at the end of the project’s lifetime in  the 
final report (Final Snapshot).  

LIFE programme website  
Funding & tenders (europa.eu) 
LIFE reporting 
KPIs for Life reporting  
Further support for applicants  
List of national contact points (NCPs) for the LIFE programme, 
who  provide  application  support  and  facilitate  networking 
events and proposal writing workshops 

69 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

 
 
 
 
 
3.7  Technical Support Instrument (TSI)31 

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

The TSI provides tailor-made technical expertise to EU Member 
States to design and implement reforms. The TSI support covers 
the  entire  reform  process,  from  preparation  and  design  to 
implementation of the reforms. 

To promote the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion 
by  helping  Member  States  implement  reforms,  the  instrument 
aims to assist national authorities in improving their capacity to: 

  Design, develop and implement reforms; 
  Prepare,  amend,  implement  and  revise  recovery  and 
resilience  plans  pursuant  to  Regulation  (EU)  2021/241 
which sets out the Recovery and Resilience Facility. 

The  TSI  offers  Member  States  a  service  to  help  them  tackle 
reform  challenges.  To  achieve  the  regulation’s  objectives,  the 
instrument will finance a number of types of actions including 
but not limited to: 

  Providing  expertise  related  to  policy  advice,  policy 
change, formulation of strategies and reform roadmaps, 
as  well  as  to  legislative,  institutional,  structural  and 
administrative reforms; 

  Providing  experts  on  a  short-term  or  long-term  basis, 
including  resident  experts,  to  perform  tasks  in  specific 
domains or to carry out operational activities; 
Institutional, administrative or sectoral capacity building 
and related supporting actions at all governance levels, 
also  contributing  to  the  empowerment  of  civil  society 
organisations; 

 

  Organising  local  operational  support  in  areas  such  as 

asylum, migration and border control; 

  Carrying  out  studies,  including  feasibility  studies, 
research, analyses and surveys, evaluations and impact 
assessments. 

The  TSI  provides  technical  support  to  Member  States’ 
authorities  in  a  wide  range  of  policy  areas,  notably  the  green 
transition  (including  the  environment,  the  circular  economy, 
climate  action  and  the  energy  transition).  The  TSI  also 
contributes to the implementation of the European Green Deal 

31 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Technical Support Instrument (TSI), EC (2022) 
Questions and Answers on the 2022 Technical Support Instrument, EU Monitor (2022) 
Commission supports reform projects in Member States for more jobs and sustainable growth (2021) 
Technical Support Instrument 2022 call (2022) 

70 

 
 
 
                                                 
 
Volume of funding 

and supports Member States’ efforts to implement measures to 
protect and restore soils to facilitate green transitions. 

The budget for the instrument for the period 2021-2027 is EUR 
864 million. Member States can transfer additional resources to 
the  budget  of  the  instrument  to  finance  actions  eligible  for 
technical  support  which  would  be  used  exclusively  for  the 
benefit of the Member State concerned. 

Type of management 

Direct management- the ECs Directorate-General for Structural 
Reform Support (DG REFORM) manages the TSI. 

Types of funding 

Targeted beneficiaries 

The  EC  does  not  provide  direct  funding  to  Member  States. 
Rather, it provides expertise to Member States with the design 
and implementation of reforms. Member States are responsible 
to carry out the reforms. The TSI is demand driven and does not 
require  co-financing  from  EU  Member  States.  In  many  cases, 
the support is given as a mix of external support, combined with 
the Commission's own expertise which is deployed specifically 
for each case in a tailor-made fashion. 
These can be funded by national means or other EU funds.  
Member  State  public  authorities  designing  and  implementing 
reforms that help to address environmental degradation. 
Member States are engaging reforms to address environmental 
degradation by further developing their environmental policies 
and strategies. Soil protection and restoration related activities 
and projects that can be funded include: 

  Analyse 

the  current 
management practices; 

situation  as 

regards 

soil 

  Raise awareness  and provide training schemes on soil 

health 

  Analyse  investment  needs  and  innovative  financing 

Types of projects / 
activities  

 

 

international  best  practices 

instrument for soil management technologies; 
Integrate 
the 
organisation  of  study  visit  to  other  EU  member  states 
and analysis of further cases; 
Identify  legal,  technical  and  financial  barriers  to 
improving soil health; 

through 

  Raise  industry  awareness  on  the  benefits  of  soil 
regulation and of a robust information framework; 
  Support to improve the quality of data on soil health; 
  Contributing  to  soil  management,  clarifying  specific 
framework 
issues  and  enhancing 
regulatory 
conditions for managing specific land categories. 
The development of soil protection and restoration policies may 
provide  a  whole  host  of  ecosystem  services,  including  food 
production, water purification, retention of moisture, breakdown 
of pollutants, and greenhouse gas regulation. 

the 

71 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

 
 
 
Technical  support  on  climate  adaptation  will  aim  to  support 
building capacity of climate change adaptions at both national 
and regional level in the Member States. This may result in the 
implementation of the following nature-based solutions: 

the 

including 

  Support  the  implementation  and  scale-up  of  nature-
implementation  of 

based  solutions, 
ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction approaches; 
  Assess  the  vulnerability  of  ecosystems  to  climate 
change,  perform  ecological  assessment,  and  integrate 
climate  pressures  in  the  Mapping  and  Assessment  of 
Ecosystem Services (MAES); 

  Support  the  biophysical  and  economic  assessment  of 
forest and water ecosystem services to support informed 
decision-making 
for  policymakers  and  ecosystem 
managers. 

indicators 

analysis  of 

socioeconomic 

Commission shall analyse the request from Member States for 
support  based  on  the  urgency,  breadth  and  depth  of  the 
challenges identified, support needs in respect of the policy areas 
concerned, 
and 
institutional and general administrative capacity of the Member 
States concerned. 
An  EU  Member  State  wishing 
technical 
support submits  a  request to  the  Commission,  via  a  national 
Coordinating Authority. This request must be submitted by 31 
October  of  each  year.  The  Commission  analyses  the  requests 
received and enters into dialogue with the national Coordinating 
Authorities to assess the country' specific needs and the options 
to support the design and implementation of the reforms. 
Support may be provided directly through the Commission’s in-
house expertise or with other providers of technical support: 

receive 

to 

  Experts 

from  EU  Member 

States' 

national 

administrations (TAIEX); 
International organisations; 
 
  Private firms and consultancies; 
 

Individual experts from the private sector. 

For  more  information  on  the  technical  support  to  Member 
States: 
Reform Support website 
Summary of legislation 
Detailed legislation 
Questions  and  Answers  on  the  2022  Technical  Support 
Instrument 

72 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

 
 
 
 
 
 
3.8  Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)32 

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

The  RRF  is  a  temporary  recovery  instrument  that  finances 
reforms and investments in Member States from the start of the 
pandemic  in  February  2020  until  31  December  2026.  It  is  the 
centrepiece of Europe’s recovery plan, NextGenerationEU. 

The primary objective of the RRF is mitigation of the social and 
economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.  
It  also  aims  to  make  European  economies  and  societies  more 
sustainable, resilient and better prepared for the challenges and 
opportunities  of 
transitions.  RRF 
the  green  and  digital 
regulations  stipulate  minimum  expenditure  targets  for  climate 
transition  and  digital  transition  investments  of  37%  and  20%, 
respectively.  
The RRF is for EU countries to invest, create jobs and build a 
green and digital future for all.  

The RRF is structured around 6 pillars: 

  Green transition 
  Digital transformation 
  Smart,  sustainable  and  inclusive  growth,  including 
economic cohesion, productivity and competitiveness  

  Social and territorial cohesion 
  Health, economic, social and institutional resilience  
  Policies for the next generation 

There  is  a  major  focus  of  RRF  expenditures  on  climate 
transition.  Improvements  to  soil  health  may  fall  under  this  as 
soils have to both adapt to become more climate resilient, while 
also playing a part in preventing climate change.  
Activities that contribute to soil health may fall mainly under the 
“Green  transition”  and  “Smart,  sustainable  and  inclusive 
growth, 
including  economic  cohesion,  productivity  and 
competitiveness” pillars, listed in the components section above. 
Pillar 1 Green Transition 

32 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
Recovery and Resilience Facility (europa.eu) 
Ireland’s recovery and resilience plan (europa.eu) 
Austria’s recovery and resilience plan (europa.eu) 
Belgium’s recovery and resilience plan (europa.eu) 
Croatia’s recovery and resilience plan (europa.eu) 
Lithuania’s recovery and resilience plan (europa.eu) 
Greece’s recovery and resilience plan (europa.eu) 
Denmark’s recovery and resilience plan (europa.eu) 

73 

 
 
 
                                                 
  RRF contributes to the mainstreaming of climate action 

and environmental sustainability; 

  Measures supported by the RRF should contribute to the 

green transitions, including biodiversity; 

  Green skills and jobs, transition to a circular economy, 
climate  change  adaption,  other  climate  change 
mitigation, among others.  

Pillar 3 Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth 

  Funds from the RRF will be used to make Member States 
economies more resilient and competitive and enable a 
sustainable recovery;  

  The  RRF  supports  measures 

to  promote  smart, 
sustainable  and  inclusive  growth,  entrepreneurship, 
competitiveness,  foster  research,  development  and 
innovation, and support SMEs; 
Improvements to soil health can contribute to increasing 
resiliency  through  ensuring  a  sustainable  supply  of 
ecosystem services provided by soil. 

 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

Targeted beneficiaries 

In  their  RRPs,  several  Member  States  have  included  projects 
which are aiming to improve the digitisation of industry within 
their countries, including the agricultural sectors. As an indirect 
effect of this process, soil health may be improved.  

EUR 723.8  billion  in  loans  (EUR 385.8  billion)  and  grants 
(EUR 338 billion).  
Each Member State will be supported by loan and grant amounts 
specific to them, based on factors such as their population, the 
inverse of their GDP per capita, and the average unemployment 
rate.  

The RRF is performance-based.  
Member States are responsible for preparing and implementing 
RRPs which are approved by the EC and contain milestones and 
targets  for  achieving  reforms.  These  can  also  delegate  the 
to 
implementation  of  specific  elements  of 
intermediaries. 
Funds  are  then  unlocked,  and  disbursement  made  to  Member 
States as and when these agreed milestones and targets are met.  

the  plans 

The RRF regulation specifies grants and loans as the forms of 
funding.  However,  Member  States  may  disburse  funds  under 
different  modalities  and  through  financial  intermediaries  to 
which the final beneficiaries then apply.  

The final beneficiaries are often public bodies, though in some 
cases  these  public  bodies  act  as  intermediaries.  SMEs,  large 
enterprises, research organisations or universities, NGOs, civil 
society organisations, or citizens may be potential beneficiaries 

74 

 
 
 
of funds from  the RRF. This  will depend on the RRP of each 
Member State.  
Specifically  for  soils,  any  of  these  bodies  that  are  involved  in 
soil activities may be eligible beneficiaries.  

Types of projects supported by the RRF are not defined in the 
RRF  regulation,  therefore  there  are  no  specifics  on  the  soil 
related activities that can be funded. There are intervention fields 
for the purpose of climate tracking listed in the RRF Regulation, 
some of which pertain to soil: 

  Rehabilitation of industrial sites and contaminated land; 
  Rehabilitation of industrial sites and contaminated land 
compliant with efficiency criteria (If the objective of the 
measure is to turn industrial sites and contaminated land 
into a natural carbon sink) 

  Support 

to  environmentally 
processes and resource efficiency in SMEs 

friendly  production 

Types of projects / 
activities  

Within approved RRPs, Member States have included suggested 
goals  or  activities  that  will  be  funded  under  their  share  of  the 
RRF,  many  of  which  are  directly  or  indirectly  related  to  soil 
activities.  
These include: 

implementing  soil  protection  or 

  Restoration of degraded peatlands 
  Promotion of carbon rich-soils 
  Developing  and 
management plans 
 
Improving carbon capture  
 
Improving biofuel production 
  Sustainable forestry management  
  Reforestation and/or afforestation  
  Enhancement of protected forests  
  Promoting biodiversity  
  Protecting and enhancing natural landscapes 
 

Increasing  resiliency  and  sustainability  of  food  supply 
chains 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Eligibility criteria 

Projects  that  improve  soil  health  can  have  indirect  benefits  to 
improved biodiversity, water supply, and aesthetic value of the 
landscape. Many of the activities that may improve soil health 
are targeting other environmental areas, including biodiversity 
and forestry management.  

Eligibility  criteria  for  RRF  funds  will  depend  on  the  RRPs  of 
each  Member  State,  the  actions  and  targets  and  milestones 
included, and the decisions of any intermediaries.  

75 

 
 
 
Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Member States prepare and submit a Recovery and Resilience 
Plan to the EC for approval.  
Final beneficiaries will apply to the financial intermediaries that 
are managing the designated funds within their Member State.  

Useful links and 
resources 

Recovery  and  Resilience  Facility  |  European  Commission 
(europa.eu)  

3.9 

InvestEU33 

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

InvestEU  promotes  investment  for  recovery,  green  growth, 
employment and well-being across Europe.  

The  InvestEU  programme  aims  to  boost  green  growth, 
innovation, and job creation in Europe by leveraging substantial 
private and public funds and mobilising private investment. 

The InvestEU programme is comprised of three pillars:  

  The  InvestEU  Fund  that  aims  to  mobilise  more  than 
EUR  372  billion  of  public  and  private  investment 
through an EU budgetary guarantee of EUR 26.2 billion 
that backs the investment of implementing partners such 
as the European Investment Bank (EIB) Group and other 
financial institutions. 

  The  InvestEU  Advisory  Hub  that  provides  technical 
support  and  assistance  including  capacity  building  to 
project  developers  and  entities  –  private  and  public  - 
helping  with  the  preparation,  development,  structuring 
and implementation of investment projects. 

  The InvestEU Portal that brings together investors and 
project  promoters  on  a  single  EU-wide  platform,  by 
providing an easily accessible and user-friendly database 
of investment opportunities available within the EU. 

Key policy areas of InvestEU include: 
Water resources and pollution prevention control 

  Healthy  soil  is  important  for  effective  filtration  and 

 

storage of water 
Improvements  to  soil  health  may  be  supported  under 
InvestEU  where  it  can  improve  water  resources  and 
pollution prevention control 

33 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
About the InvestEU Fund (europa.eu) 
Regulation (EU) 2021/1078 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 April 2021 (2021), European Commission  
InvestEU (eib.org) 

76 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems 

  Soils  form  the  basis  of  many  ecosystems,  and  healthy 
soils  will  mean  greater  biodiversity  and  improved 
ecosystems 

  Support  of  biodiversity  and  ecosystems  will  also 

improve soil health  

Sustainable forests and agricultural practices 

  Forestry  and  agricultural  practices  significantly  impact 
improve 
soil  health.  Support  from  InvestEU 
sustainability  of  these  practices  will  mean  sustainable 
use of soils, and therefore healthy soils 

to 

Transition to the circular economy 

  Sustainable and efficient use of the resources including 
land and excavated soil contribute to the transition to the 
circular economy, which is supported by the fund 

The EU budgetary guarantee under the InvestEU programme is 
EUR 26.2 billion. This guarantee is expected to mobilise more 
than  EUR  372  billion  in  investments,  both  public  and  private 
(2021-2027).  
The guarantee will be structured around four policy windows, 
(each with a specific budget): 

  Sustainable infrastructure window (EUR 9.9 billion) 
  Research, innovation and digitisation window (EUR 6.6 

billion) 

  SMEs window (EUR 6.9 billion) 
  Social investment and skills window (EUR 2.8 billion)  

Indirect  and  direct  management.  The  InvestEU  Fund  is  being 
implemented through financial partners who invest in projects 
using  the  EU  guarantee.  The  main  partner  is  the  European 
Investment  Bank  Group  (EIB  Group).  In  addition  to  the  EIB 
Group,  International  Financial  Institutions  active  in  Europe  – 
such  as 
for  Reconstruction  and 
Developments  (EBRD)  –  and  National  Promotional  Banks  do 
have direct access to the EU guarantee.  

the  European  Bank 

InvestEU is leveraging substantial private and public funds that 
are protected through an EU budget guarantee that builds on the 
successful  implementation  of  the European  fund  for  strategic 
investments.  
Implementing  partners  provide  financing  directly  to  final 
recipients  or  indirectly  through  private  or  public  financial 
intermediaries.  

77 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

 
 
 
 
Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

The European Investment Fund (part of the EIB Group) offers:  

  Guarantee products 
  Equity products 
  Climate and Infrastructure Funds 
  Capacity Building Instrument 

The InvestEU Fund provides support to final recipients that are 
natural or legal persons deemed economically viable according 
to internationally accepted standards, including:  

  Private entities such as special-purpose vehicles (SPV) 
or  project  companies, 
large  corporates,  midcap 
companies,  including  small  midcap  companies,  and 
SMEs; 

  Public sector entities (territorial or not) and public-sector 

type entities; 

  Mixed  entities,  such  as  public–private  partnership 
(PPPs) and private companies with a public purpose; 

  NGOs. 

All projects supported by InvestEU have to fall under one of the 
key policy areas listed in Volume of Funding above. 
An extensive list of projects/activities can be found in Find Your 
EU Funding Programme for the Environment. 

Some soil specific activities may include: 

  The  environment  and  resources  (e.g.  water,  waste 
restoration  of  ecosystems  and 
the  decarbonisation  of  energy 

the 
management, 
biodiversity,  and 
production); 

  Sustainable  agriculture,  forestry,  fishery,  aquaculture 
and other elements of the wider sustainable bioeconomy; 

  Research, development and innovation projects; 
  Rehabilitation of industrial sites (including contaminated 
sites) and restoration of such sites for sustainable use; 
  Management  and  enhancement  of  natural  capital  for 

biodiversity 

  Sustainable  production  of  crops/residues  for  bioenergy 

that does not damage soil health; 
 
Improvements to food production and supply chains; 
  Sustainable production of other services including fibre, 
timber, and other residues that protects soil health; 
Improvements  to  water  related  infrastructure  including 
sanitation and storage;  

 

78 

 
 
 
Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

InvestEU  will  support  ecosystem  services  through  funding 
projects  that  aim  to  develop  a  circular  economy,  expand  the 
sustainable production and use of biofuels, and enhance natural 
capital. These aims that are beneficial to ecosystem services, can 
also  involve  activities  that  are  beneficial  to  soil  health.  An 
improvement in soil health will then also be a benefit to broader 
ecosystem  services  through  storage  and  filtration  of  water, 
nutrient cycling, and GHG emission mitigation.  

In  order  to  benefit  from  InvestEU  support,  potential  projects 
must: 

  Address  market  failures  or  investment  gaps  and  be 

economically-viable; 

  Need EU backing in order to get off the ground; 
  Achieve a multiplier effect and where possible crowd-in 

Eligibility criteria 

private investment; 

  Help meet EU policy objectives. 

The  policy  areas  eligible  for  financing  and  investment 
operations are presented in annex II to the InvestEU Regulation. 
The  eligibility  criteria  are  further  defined  in  the  Investment 
Guidelines  which  lay  down  the  requirements  that  financial 
products and financing and investment operations shall satisfy. 

implementing  partners  provide  direct 

The  main  implementing  partner  for  InvestEU  is  the  European 
Investment  Bank,  responsible  for  75%  of  the  EU  guarantee. 
InvestEU 
and 
intermediated  financing  solutions  for  both  private  and  public 
‘projects promoters’ (‘final recipient’).  
Financial  Intermediaries  should  consult 
the  offering  of 
implementing partners active in their regions proposing relevant 
products: it is up to the implementing partners to select financial 
intermediaries through open and transparent procedures such as 
calls for expressions of interest.  

Project promoters may apply directly to implementing partners 
who  will  offer  tailor-made  financing  solutions  based  on  the 
financial  products  supported  by  the  EU  guarantee.  Project 
promoters may also apply for intermediated products. 
SMEs and small mid-caps, microfinance and social enterprises 
may apply through financial intermediaries of the implementing 
partners. These entities should apply to their local commercial 
or public banks whose financial products are covered by the EU 
guarantee in their country or region. The local intermediary will 
inform them if a particular financing programme is covered by 
the InvestEU Fund. 

79 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

 
 
 
Useful links and 
resources 

Practical  guide  to  doing  business  in  Europe  -  Your  Europe 
(europa.eu) 
InvestEU Portal (europa.eu) 
Questions and answers: InvestEU Programme (europa.eu) 
InvestEU (eib.org) 

4  OVERVIEW  OF  ADDITIONAL  EU  FUNDING  OPPORTUNITIES  THAT  MIGHT  TARGET  SOIL 

HEALTH 

4.1 

Introduction 

This  final  chapter  describes  five  additional  EU  funding  opportunities  that  might  target  soil 
health,  although  this  is  not  their  focused  priority,  nor  do  they  have  specific  components  or 
subcomponents related to soil themes clearly defined. They have wider objectives which can 
be related to social inclusion, green and digital transitions, providing support, foster dialogue 
and  cooperation  with  non-EU  Member  States,  among  others.  These  funding  opportunities 
include the following: 

  ERASMUS+;  

  The European Solidarity Corps;  

  Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI); 

 

Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA), and 

  TAIEX  -  Environmental  Implementation  Review  Peer  to  Peer  Tool  (EIR  PEER  2 

PEER).  

Nevertheless, as the focus of this guidance is to provide an overview of the potential funding 
opportunities available for the protection, sustainable management and restoration of soils, for 
each funding opportunity included below the information presented attempts to refer to soil 
health related issues. More detail on each funding programme can be found through the various 
links provided in the individual descriptions that follow.  

4.2  Erasmus+34 

Overview 

Objectives  

Erasmus+  is  the  EU  programme  supporting  sport,  youth, 
training,  and  education  in  Europe.  The  programme  is  open  to 
organisations from all sectors of lifelong learning. 

Social  inclusion,  green  and  digital  transitions,  and  promoting 
young people’s participation in democratic life is the focal point 
of the 2021– 2027 programme.  

34 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
Erasmus+ (2022) 
EU funding programme Erasmus+ 

80 

 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Components 

Relevance to soil health 

Specific  programme  objectives  are  contained  on  Erasmus+ 
website. These are not of any particular relevance to soil health. 

  Learning mobility projects (key action 1) 
  Organisation and institution cooperation (key action 2) 
  Policy development and cooperation (key action 3) 
  Education and training (Jean Monnet) 

Currently  183  soil  related  Erasmus+  projects  classified  as 
‘ongoing’  can  be  found  on  the  Erasmus+  project  search  page 
(see  link  below).  Promoting  training,  learning,  education,  and 
organisation cooperation can support soil related projects. 

Volume of funding 

Estimated budget of EUR 26.2 billion 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

Direct management– The EC oversees the general management 
of  the  programme.  The  European  Education  and  Culture 
Executive  Agency  manages  the  “centralised”  elements  of  the 
programme.  National  Agencies  manage  the  “decentralised” 
elements in programme countries (see link below). 

As an individual, Erasmus supports (see links below): 

  Students,  staff  teaching,  staff  training,  pupil  mobility, 
traineeships,  adult  learners,  volunteering  or  youth 
exchange, training and networking periods abroad 

As an organisation (see links below): 

  Key Action 1: Learning mobility of individuals 
  Key  Action  2:  Cooperation  among  organisations  and 

institutions 

  Key Action 3: Support for policy reform 
  Jean Monnet Actions: Stimulating teaching & research 

on the European Union 

  Students,  staff,  adult  learners,  young  people,  youth 

workers, organisations 

Key Action 1: Learning mobility of individuals 

  Mobility projects for – school education pupils and staff; 
VET  (vocational  education  and  training)  learners  and 
staff; higher education students and staff; adult education 
learners and staff; and those in the field of youth (youth 
exchanges & youth workers) 
  Youth Participation Activities 
  DiscoverEU  Inclusion  Action  (short-term  travelling 

across Europe) 

Key  Action  2:  Cooperation  among  organisations  and 
institutions  

81 

 
 
 
  Cooperation  Partnerships  in  the  fields  of  Higher 
Education,  Vocational  Education  and  Training,  School 
Education, Adult Education and Youth  

  Small  Scale  Partnerships  in  the  fields  of  Vocational 
Education  and  Training,  School  Education,  Adult 
Education and Youth 

Apply via European Education and Culture Executive Agency 
(EACEA) for: 

  Cooperation  Partnerships  in  the  fields  of  Higher 
Education,  Vocational  Education  and  Training,  School 
Education,  Adult  Education  and  Youth  submitted  by 
European NGOs 

  Centres of Vocational Excellence 
  Erasmus+ Teacher Academies 
  Erasmus Mundus Action 
Innovation Alliances 

 
  Capacity building in the field of youth 

Key Action 3: Support for policy reform  

  European Youth Together 

Jean Monnet 

 

 

Jean Monnet in the field of higher education: Modules, 
Chairs and Centres of Excellence 
Jean  Monnet  in  other  fields  of  education  and  training: 
Teacher Training and Networks 

training  supported 

though  Erasmus+  develops 

the 
The 
knowledge and expertise of future environmental scientists and 
this  future  knowledge  and  research  has  the  potential  to 
contribute to the climate, soil and overall environmental sector 
and therefore address the key challenges to different ecosystem 
services.  

Participants in the Erasmus+ projects must be in an EU state, or 
third country associated with the programme, some actions are 
also open to those from third countries not associated with the 
programme.  
View specific grant calls for specific eligibility details (see link 
below) 
In general, the programme is open to any organisation which is 
active in education, training, youth or sport. However, specific 
conditions  for  projects  depend  on  the  type  of  Key  Action  is 
being delivered. 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Applicants  submitting  a  project  proposal  to  receive  funding 
support must: 

  Register (which will require an EU login) 

82 

 
 
 
  Check compliance with programme criteria  
  Check financial conditions 
  Submit an application form  

Key Action 1: Learning mobility of individuals – apply via the 
National Agencies. 
Key  Action  2:  Cooperation  among  organisations  and 
institutions– apply via the National Agencies. 
Key Action 3: Support for policy reform– apply via EACEA. 
Jean Monnet: apply via EACEA. 
For calls managed by  EACEA– visit the ‘European Education 
and Culture Executive Agency website’ (see link below). 
For  calls managed by National  Agencies– visit  the ‘Erasmus+ 
and European Solidarity Corps platform’ page (see link below). 

Erasmus+ project search 
Management and Register  
Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps platform 
European Education and Culture Executive Agency website 
Opportunities for individuals  
Opportunities for organisations 
List of Erasmus+ programme countries  
Staff teaching  
Staff training 
Pupil mobility, Students, Traineeships and Adult learners  
Youth exchange 
Training and networking  
DiscoverEU 
Key Action 1: Learning mobility of individuals 
Key Action 2: Cooperation among organisations and institutions 
Key Action 3: Support for policy reform 
Jean Monnet Actions 

Useful links and 
resources 

4.3  The European Solidarity Corps35 

Overview 

The European Solidarity Corps is an EU funding programme for 
young people aged 18-30 interested in solidary activities, which 

35 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment – Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
European Solidarity Corps, features 

83 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
includes  contributing  to  environmental  actions  for  the  period 
2021–2027. The European Solidarity Corps funds opportunities 
to  train,  work  or  volunteer  abroad  or  in  one’s  home  country 
whilst  also  supporting  young  people  to  start-up  their  own 
solidarity projects to engage young people activities addressing 
societal challenges.  

  Build inclusivity into society by bringing young people 

together 

  Support vulnerable people  
  Responding to societal challenges  
 

Inspire and develop young people who want to learn 

Objectives  

Components 

Volunteering and solidarity projects 

Relevance to soil health 

Funding available for volunteering or solidarity projects which 
can  focus  on  soil  health  through  projects  contributing  to  the 
environment. 

Volume of funding 

EUR 1.01 billion  

Type of management 

Types of funding 

The  EC  is  responsible  for  European  Solidarity  Corps  policies 
and oversees the overall programme implementation. Therefore, 
The  European  Solidarity  Crops 
through  direct 
management.  The  actions  are  managed  at  the  national  level 
(National Agencies) (90%) and at the European level (European 
Education and Culture Executive Agency) (EACEA) (10%).  

is  run 

Funding  is  available  in  the  form  of  grants  to  organisations 
through  call  for  proposals.  Calls  for  proposals  can  be  found 
through  the  ‘Funding  and  tender  opportunities’  page  (see  link 
below). 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Young people aged 18-30. 

Types of projects / 
activities  

Volunteering projects: 

Individual volunteering: up to 12 months 

 
  Team volunteering: between 2-8 weeks 

Solidarity projects: 

  Bottom-up activities initiated and run by young people 
to address challenges and make positive changes in their 
local communities. 

  The project can be between 2-12 months  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

The  European  Solidarity  Corps  funds  projects  and  activities 
which  address  societal  challenges  and  has  the  potential  to 

Funding & tenders, European Commission 
European Youth Portal  

84 

 
 
 
                                                 
 
Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

include projects which impact upon ecosystem services such as 
water quality, food production and biodiversity. 

Volunteering  –  open  to  18–30-year-old  people  who  live  in 
programme and partner countries (see link below). 
Solidarity projects  – open to  a group of no less  than 5 people 
(18-30 years old) who are legally living in the same country (this 
must be one of the programme countries (see link below)). 

Volunteering: 

  Young  people  need  to  register  on  the  European 
Solidarity Corps portal to  search  for opportunities and 
access  online 
training.  This  portal  also  allows 
organisations to seek participants for their projects. 
  Use the application form ESC50 to apply for a Quality 

Label (this is processed by National Agencies) 

Solidarity Projects: 

  Form a group and register for an organisation ID (OID)  
  Assemble project goals, Budget, and activities.  

  Apply (You can contact your National Agency to help 

you with your application (see link below).) 

Funding and tender opportunities  
The European Solidarity Corps 
Project platform 
Quality Label  
Search  for  supporting  organisations  –  accredited/Quality-
Labelled organisation database 
Programme and partner countries 
Support services  
Volunteering 
Solidarity Projects 
Register for IOD 
European Solidarity Corps Guide 
National Agencies contact information 

85 

 
 
 
 
 
 
4.4  Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) 

36 

Overview 

Objectives  

Components 

The  NDICI  is  meant  to  uphold  and  promote  the  EU’s  values, 
principles  and  fundamental  interests  worldwide  in  order  to 
pursue the objectives and principles of its external action. The 
NDICI thus contributes to the reduction and, in the long term, 
the  eradication  of  poverty,  consolidating,  supporting  and 
promoting  democracy,  the  rule  of  law  and  respect  for  human 
rights,  sustainable  development  and  the  fight  against  climate 
change  and  addressing 
forced 
displacement, including their root causes. 

irregular  migration  and 

The  specific  relevant  objectives  of  the  NDICI  2021-2027 
programme include: 

  To  support  and  foster  dialogue  and  cooperation  with 
third  countries  and  regions  in  the  Neighbourhood  at 
global level, among others to address global challenges 
such as, climate  change, protection of biodiversity  and 
the environment, as well as migration and mobility; 
  To respond rapidly to: situations of crisis, instability and 
conflict 
those  which  may  result  from 
migratory  flows  and  forced  displacement  and  hybrid 
threats; resilience challenges, including natural and man-
made  disasters,  and  linking  of  humanitarian  aid  and 
development  action;  as  well  as  the  Union’s  foreign 
policy needs and priorities. 

including 

  Geographic  programmes;  supporting  multi-annual 
indicative  programmes  (MIPs)  for  Neighbourhood 
countries  with  some  funding  available  to  Sub-Saharan 
Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas and the 
Caribbean. This pillar will also finance Erasmus+.  
  Thematic  programmes  such  as  Human  Rights  and 
Democracy;  Civil  Society  Organisations;  Peace, 
Stability  and  Conflict  Prevention;  and  Global 
Challenges. 

  Rapid response mechanism that will allow the EU to 
swiftly  respond  to  crises,  contribute  to  peace,  stability 
and  conflict  prevention,  strengthen  the  resilience  of 
states,  societies,  communities  and  individuals,  linking 
humanitarian  aid  and  development  action.  It  will  also 

36 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
NDICI Factsheet 
Geographic multi-annual indicative programmes (MIPs) for neighbourhood countries 
EFSD+ and the External Action guarantee 

86 

 
 
 
                                                 
ensure early action to address Union foreign policy needs 
and priorities. 

  A ‘cushion’ of unallocated funds could top-up any of the 
above-mentioned  programmes  and  rapid  response 
mechanism,  to  address  unforeseen  circumstances,  new 
needs  or  emerging  challenges  and  promote  new 
priorities. 

  The  new  instrument  will  furthermore  contain  an 
investment framework for external action financed from 
the  geographic  pillar  to  raise  additional  financial 
resources  for  sustainable  development  from  the  public 
and private sector. It will consist of the European Fund 
the 
for  Sustainable  Development  (EFSD+)  and 
External Action Guarantee  

An  opportunity  that  could  be  relevant  to  soil  health  would  be 
within  the  investment  framework  for  external  action  to  raise 
additional financial resources for sustainable development from 
the private sector, with the aim to foster renewable energy and 
sustainable  agriculture.  Opportunities  could  be  found  in 
ensuring soil health is maintained in order to secure sustainable 
agriculture.  

EUR 79.5 billion,  the NDICI  - Global  Europe instrument  will 
cover the EU cooperation with all third countries, except for the 
pre-accession  beneficiaries  and  the  overseas  countries  and 
territories from the geographic programmes 

Direct  management  by  the  EC  and/or  through  the  Union 
Delegations and under indirect management by entities, such as 
the EU Member States agencies or international organisations, 
that ensure a level of protection of the EU’s financial interests 
Indirect 
equivalent 
management may also  be entrusted to  partner countries or the 
bodies 
instruments 
including  in  partnership  with  the  European  Investment  Bank, 
Member  States’  financial  institutions  and  other  international 
financial institutions will be used for blending activities. 

that  under  direct  management. 

they  designate. 

Innovative 

financial 

to 

Relevance to soil health 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

It  is  a  broad  financial  instrument  including  various  types  of 
funding  which  will  be  available  within  each  country’s 
Multiannual Indicative Programmes documentation.  

Eastern  Neighbourhood:  Armenia,  Azerbaijan,  Georgia, 
Ukraine, Regional East, Moldova,  
Southern  Neighbourhood:  Algeria,  Egypt,  Jordan,  Regional 
South 

The entry into force of the NDICI Global Europe paved the way 
for  the  adoption,  of  most  of  the  relevant  MIPs  and  Annual 
Actions Plans (AAPs) as well as individual and special measures 

87 

 
 
 
for countries, regions, ERASMUS+ and thematic programmes 
by the end of 2021.  

All  these  programmes  will  significantly  contribute  to  climate 
actions,  social  inclusion  and  human  development,  including 
education,  migration  and  forced  displacement  and  to  achieve 
gender equality and biodiversity targets. The MIPs include the 
identification  of  “Team  Europe  Initiatives”  together  with 
their  agencies  and  European  financial 
Member  States, 
institutions,  with 
the  aim  of  achieving  a  maximum 
transformative impact in partner countries. 

The  EU  assistance  is  based  on  the  European  Neighbourhood 
objectives and priorities outlined in the regional strategies, such 
as the renewed Eastern Partnership and the new Agenda for the 
Mediterranean. 

Each neighbourhood country targeted by this fund has existing 
agreements in place with the EU. This information can be found 
within the counties MIPs here. The EU identifies the countries 
it  wants  to  target  with  specific  objectives  in  mind.  The 
investment  framework  of  this  fund  consists  of  the  European 
Fund  for  Sustainable  Development  (EFSD+)  and  the  External 
Action Guarantee. 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Eligibility criteria 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

NDICI Factsheet 
Geographic MIPs for neighbourhood countries 
EFSD+ and the External Action guarantee 

4.5 

Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA)37 

Overview 

The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) is the means 
by which the EU has been supporting reforms in the enlargement 
region with financial and technical assistance since 2007. IPA 
funds the build-up of capacities of the beneficiaries throughout 
the  accession  process,  resulting 
in  progressive,  positive 
developments in the region .The general objective of IPA III is 
to  support  the  beneficiaries  in  adopting  and  implementing: 
political, institutional, legal, administrative, social and economic 
reforms.  These  reforms  are  required  in  order  to  comply  with 
EU’s  values  and  to  progressively  align  to  Union  rules.  This 
compliance  with  the  EU’s  standards,  policies  and  practice 

37 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
Some of the text for this fund is adapted from the EU guide: Find your EU funding programme for the environment - Publications Office of 
the EU (europa.eu) 
IPA III Planning & Programming 
IPA Programme Summary 
IPARD Summary 

88 

 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
 
provides beneficiaries with a view to Union membership, whilst 
also contributing to their stability, security and prosperity. IPA 
III runs in the period 2021-2027. 

IPA III has the following relevant specific objectives: 

  To  reinforce  the  effectiveness  of  public  administration 
and to support transparency, structural reforms and good 
governance at all levels, including in the areas of public 
procurement and State aid; 

  To shape the rules, standards, policies and practices of 
the IPA III beneficiaries in alignment with those of the 
EU;  

  To  strengthen  economic  and  social  development  and 

cohesion, with particular attention to youth; 

  To 

reinforce  environmental  protection, 

increase 
resilience to climate change, accelerate the shift towards 
a low-carbon economy, develop the digital economy and 
society and strengthen sustainable connectivity in all its 
dimensions; 
  To  support 

territorial  cohesion  and  cross-border 
cooperation across land and maritime borders, including 
transnational and interregional cooperation. 

Specific objectives of the IPA III regulation are focused on the 
priorities  of  the  enlargement  process,  articulated  through  five 
thematic windows: 

  Window  1:  rule  of  law,  fundamental  rights  and 

democracy; 

  Window  2:  good  governance,  EU  acquis  alignment, 
strategic 

neighbourly 

relations 

and 

good 
communication; 

  Window  3: 
connectivity; 

the  green  agenda  and  sustainable 

  Window 4: competitiveness and inclusive growth; 
  Window 5: territorial and cross-border cooperation. 
Actions  are  deployed,  to  beneficiaries,  through  annual  or 
multiannual action plans at national or regional level, or through 
horizontal  initiatives  targeting  specific  types  of  partners  (e.g., 
civil  society)  or  cross-cutting  issues.  In  addition,  a  number  of 
cross-cutting  themes,  such  as  climate  change,  environmental 
protection, civil society, gender equality, rights-based approach, 
is  mainstreamed  and  therefore  can  be  implemented  under  the 
five windows. 

Part of IPA, the instrument for pre-accession assistance for rural 
development (IPARD) focuses on rural areas and the agri-food 
sectors of countries in the process of joining the EU. 

89 

Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

 
 
 
Through  this  tool,  the  EU  provides  the  beneficiaries  with 
financial and technical help with the aim of: 

  Making  their  agricultural  sector  and  rural  areas  more 

sustainable; 

  Aligning  them  with  the  EU's  common  agricultural 

policy. 

The current candidate countries and beneficiaries are: Albania, 
Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey. 
IPARD programmes are based around measures set at European 
level.  Within  them  is  Measure  4  -  "Agri-environment-climate 
and organic farming"; This could be explored by those candidate 
and  potential  candidate  countries  on  improving  soil  health. 
Interest countries can apply for IPARD support. To get funding 
under  IPARD,  an  application  needs  to  be  sent  to  the  national 
IPARD agency. Once approved, they are managed by national 
institutions and IPARD agencies. Turkey has a current measure 
available looking at a pilot on soil erosion. 

EUR 14.78 billion 
Each  country  also  contributes  to  the  budget  through  national 
public funding.  

IPA  III  is  implemented  through  direct,  indirect  and  shared 
management. The Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and 
Enlargement  Negotiations  (DG  NEAR)  is  the  leading  service. 
The Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development 
(DG  AGRI)  is  responsible  for  rural  development  programmes 
and the Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy for 
cross-border  cooperation  programmes  (DG  REGIO)  between 
IPA beneficiaries and EU Member States. 

Actions  are  based  on  the  IPA  III  programming  framework. 
Actions  are  deployed,  to  the  benefit  of  beneficiaries,  through 
annual or multiannual action plans at national or regional level, 
or  through  horizontal  initiatives  targeting  specific  types  of 
partners (e.g. civil society) or cross-cutting issues. In addition, a 
number  of  cross-cutting  themes,  such  as  climate  change, 
environmental protection, civil society, gender equality, rights-
based  approach, 
therefore  can  be 
is  mainstreamed  and 
implemented under the five windows. 

  EU candidate countries (Turkey, Albania, Montenegro, 
Serbia and the Republic of North Macedonia) are eligible 
for all five components of IPA; 

  Potential  candidate  countries  in  the  Western  Balkans 
(Bosnia-Herzegovina,  Kosovo  under  UN  Security 
Council  Resolution  1244/99)  are  eligible  only  for  the 
first two components. 

90 

Volume of funding 

Type of management 

Types of funding 

Targeted beneficiaries 

 
 
 
Types of projects / 
activities  

There are a number of relevant National  IPARD programmes, 
please see below for specific examples: 
  Measure  1:  "Investments 

in  physical  assets  of 
agricultural  holdings"  (Albania,  Montenegro,  North 
Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey). 

  Measure  3:  "Investments  in  physical  assets  concerning 
processing  and  marketing  of  agricultural  and  fishery 
products"  (Albania,  Montenegro,  North  Macedonia, 
Serbia and Turkey) 

  Measure  4:  "Agri-environment,  climate  and  organic 

farming (pilot on soil erosion)" (Turkey) 

  Measure  5:  "Implementation  of  local  development 

strategies–LEADER approach" (Turkey) 

  Measure  7:  "Farm  diversification  and  business 
development" (Albania, North Macedonia, and Turkey) 
  Measure  9:  "Technical  assistance"  (North  Macedonia, 

and Turkey) 

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Many  of  the  listed  measure  above  could  be  used  to  provide 
benefits  across  ecosystems  as  part  of  measures  for  improving 
agricultural conditions and soil health.  

Eligibility criteria 

EU potential and candidate counties. 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

Apply  for  IPARD  –  each  eligible  country  provides  their  own 
application webpage.  

IPA Programme Summary 
IPA III Planning & Programming 
IPARD Summary 

4.6  TAIEX-Environmental Implementation Review (EIR) Peer TO Peer38 

Overview 

TAIEX EIR peer to peer is an EU technical assistance and policy 
support instrument. The TAIEX EIR peer to peer tool supports 
public administrations with the application and enforcement of 
EU  environmental  legislation  as  well  as  the  sharing  of  best 
practices between regions.  Offering  tailored expertise to  those 
requesting it, TAIEX organises workshops, expert missions, and 
study visits to allow participants to learn from one another. 

38 References used for the development of this section, include the following: 
TAIEX-EIR PEER 2 PEER tool (2022), European Commission. 
TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange) (2022), EUR-Lex  

91 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                                 
Objectives  

Components 

Relevance to soil health 

EIR  peer  to  peer  is  designed  to  provide  short-term  support  to 
public  administrations  in  a  unique  peer-to-peer  fashion. 
Activities  are  short  in  duration  (1-5  days).  Experts  come  as 
volunteers from the public administrations of EU Member States 
to share their experience with their peers on how to apply EU 
law. The instrument is complemented by longer-term institution-
building  support,  Twinning,  which  offers  long-term,  on-the-
ground cooperation. 

The TAIEX EIR peer to peer tool is  largely needs-driven and 
delivers  appropriate  tailor-made  expertise  to  address  issues  at 
short notice in three ways: workshops, expert missions and study 
visits. 
Implementation gaps, as well as access to justice, environmental 
liability,  compliance  assurance  and  other  aspects  of 
environmental governance are also tackled through this tool. 

Facilitates  peer  to  peer  learning  between  Member  State 
environmental authorities in order to address challenges in the 
implementation of EU soil protection policy and legislation. 

Volume of funding 

Driven by demand and covers all policy areas.  

Type of management 

Direct  management:  EU 
instrument 
managed  by  the  EC’s  Directorate-General  for  European 
Neighbourhood  Policy  and  Enlargement  Negotiations  (DG 
NEAR). 

institution-building 

Types of funding 

the 

For  experts, 
(travel, 
instrument  provides 
accommodation,  interpretation,  daily  allowances,  etc.)  and 
compensation to EU Member State experts involved as speakers. 
Depending on the type of the activity and involved stakeholders, 
the tool can also support public officials involved as participants 
from applicant EU Member States. 

logistics 

Targeted beneficiaries 

Types of projects / 
activities  

Potential co-benefits for 
ecosystem services 

Eligibility criteria 

Public  authorities  involved  in  the  implementation  of  EU 
environmental  policy  and  law  in  the  EU  Member  States  can 
apply for EIR peer to peer assistance.  

The  expert  exchanges  can  deal  with  common  root  causes  of 
implementation  gaps,  such  as  administrative  capacity,  skills, 
governance and coordination mechanisms or similar issues.  

TAIEX-EIR peer to peer expert exchanges can address all issues 
covered  by  the  EIR  country  reports:  for  example,  nature 
protection,  biodiversity,  green  infrastructure,  improvement  of 
air  quality,  water  quality  and  management,  and  sustainable 
urban development. 

The  assistance  is  provided  at  request  of  public  institutions 
involved in the implementation of EU environmental policy and 
law in the EU Member States, such as: 

92 

 
 
 
Inspection and audit authorities; 

  National, regional and local departments and agencies; 
  Coordinating authorities and mandated bodies; 
 
  Permitting authorities; 
  Regional  or 

implementation 
local  environmental 
businesses  entrusted  with  a  public  task,  and  with  the 
application supported by an authority; 

  Representatives  of  social  partners,  trade  unions  and 

employers’ associations; 

  Networks  of  public  experts  involved  in  environmental 

implementation and enforcement. 

Applicants have to provide short information about the objective 
of the event, the field of expertise concerned, participants and 
target  group,  approximate  timing  and  contact  person.  The 
request is subject to approval by the EC. If eligible and justified, 
the EC will approve  your application, look  for suitable public 
experts in other EU Member States, agree on the practical details 
and organise logistics via an external service provider. 

Application process and 
reporting requirements if 
funding awarded 

Useful links and 
resources 

For more information on the tool: 
Online application 
Application template 
TAIEX Expert Database 
Upcoming TAIEX events 

93