PRIMA (Partnership for R&I in the Mediterranean Area)
Environmental and social changes are deeply affecting Euro-Mediterranean agro-food systems and water resources.
Climate change, unsustainable agricultural practices, over-exploitation of natural resources, new lifestyle behaviours (diet, physical activity and socio-cultural) and low profitability of smallholders put a strain on the sustainable and healthy development of the region, with major impacts on our societies.
The increased complexity and multidimensionality of such social, economic and environmental challenges can only be tackled through common efforts and resources with a research and innovation approach.
PRIMA's mission:
To achieve, support and promote integration, alignment and joint implementation of R&I initiatives under a common research and innovation strategy to address the diverse challenges in water scarcity, agriculture, food security.
PRIMA's expected impacts:
* Economic impacts: increase in production and efficiency, access to new markets, greater funding options and large-scale aggregate economic impacts.
* Social impacts: political stabiliy and reduced migration.
* Environmental impacts: biodiversiy consevation, sustainable farming practices.
19 participating countries: Israel, Cyprus, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Turkey, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco.
PRIMA Structure:
Section 1 - EU funding, subjected to H2020 funding rules.
Section 2 - National funding, subjected to the countries national funding laws.
Three thematic areas:
1. Management of water: integrated and sustainable management of water for arid and semi-arid Mediterranean areas
2. Farming systems: sustainable farming systems under Mediterranean environmental constrains
3. AGRO-FOOD value chain: sustainable Mediterranean AGRO-FOOD value chain for regional and local developement
Rules of participation:
- The minimum number of participants is three. Consortia must be composed by at least three independent legal entities established in three different countries considered to be PRIMA Participating States, of which:
* At least one established in a Member State or Associated Country to Horizon 2020: Croatia, Cyprus, France, Italy, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain.
* At least one established in a country bordering the Mediterrean sea : Israel, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey.
- Proposals are submitted in 2-stage manner (1st stage and full proposal).
Projects are expected to propose solutions to existing problems, encouraged to involved as much as possible a diversity of actors (SMEs, NGOs, Farmers, extension services….) especially for Innovation Actions, encouraged to promote mobility and training and encouraged to integrate new technologies.
2018 Call for Proposals
Section 1 - EU funding, subjected to H2020 funding rules (18 M Euros)
Deadline for submissions: 17/4/2018
1.Management of water:
* Water reuse and water desalination for agricultural and food production (6.1 M Euros)
2. Farming systems:
* Improving the sustainability of Mediterranean agro-ecosystems (6.1 M Euros)
3. AGRO-FOOD value chain:
* Implementing innovation in Mediterranean Agro-food chains by smallholders and SMEs (6.1 M Euros)
Section 2 - National funding, subjected to the countries national funding laws (30M Euros)
Deadline for submissions: 27/3/2018
1.Management of water:
* Water resource availability and quality within catchments and aquifers
* Sustainable, integrated water management
* Irrigation technologies and practice
2. Farming systems:
* Adaptation of agriculture to climate change
* Preventing emergence of animal and plant pests and diseases
* Farming Systems able to create employment and territorial development
3. AGRO-FOOD value chain:
* Valorising food products from traditional Mediterranean diet
* Food safety and quality in local food chains
* Health effectts of the dietary shifts and promotion of healthy and sustainable diets for the Mediterranean populations