EUFRAS Webinar Explores Horizon Europe Opportunities for Agricultural Advisory Organizations

EUFRAS Webinar Explores Horizon Europe Opportunities for Agricultural Advisory Organizations

On 16 October 2026, EUFRAS organized the webinar “Horizon Europe Opportunities for EUFRAS Members”, bringing together members interested in exploring European research and innovation funding, identifying relevant calls and finding ways to participate in collaborative projects.

The session was led by Sylvain Sturel, European Project Manager at Chambres d’Agriculture France, who shared practical insights from his extensive experience in European research and innovation projects.

From funding calls to practical opportunities

The webinar introduced participants to the Horizon Europe programme, highlighting the benefits of taking part in European projects and offering practical advice for organizations interested in applying for funding or joining existing consortia.

A key part of the session focused on ongoing projects involving EUFRAS members and the opportunities they offer for further collaboration. This provided a starting point for exploring how agricultural advisory organizations can contribute their expertise, connect with research partners and participate in initiatives addressing challenges faced by farmers and rural communities.

Participants were also introduced to a selection of approximately ten Horizon Europe calls planned for 2027 that could be relevant to EUFRAS members. The calls covered a broad range of themes, including biodiversity, sustainable food systems, circular bioeconomy, zero pollution, climate, communities and governance, as well as the Soil Mission.

By connecting programme information with concrete funding opportunities, the webinar aimed to help members identify areas of interest and consider their next steps towards participation.

Strengthening the role of agricultural advisors in research and innovation

The discussion also highlighted the importance of ensuring that European research and innovation projects respond to the needs of farmers and advisory services. Agricultural advisors can play an important role in connecting research with practice, facilitating knowledge exchange and helping translate project results into solutions that work on farms.

Meaningful involvement of advisors and farmers from the early stages of project development is essential to ensuring that research addresses real-world challenges. Participants also discussed the importance of recognizing the contribution of practitioners and ensuring that project outcomes remain relevant to the realities of commercial farming.

For EUFRAS members, participation in Horizon Europe offers opportunities not only to access funding but also to build international partnerships, exchange expertise and strengthen the contribution of agricultural advisory services to Europe's agricultural transition.

Next steps for EUFRAS members

The webinar encouraged members to explore the calls presented, identify opportunities relevant to their organizations and express their interest in potential project collaborations.

EUFRAS will continue to support connections among its members and promote opportunities for agricultural advisory organizations to engage in European research and innovation initiatives.

By helping members navigate funding opportunities and connect with potential partners, EUFRAS aims to strengthen the visibility and involvement of agricultural advisory services in European research and innovation.