BIO2 aims to transform organic farming (OF) by replacing contentious inputs with sustainable alternatives through innovative R&D. The main innovations are: (i) combining marine materials (fish discards and seaweed byproducts), microorganisms, and recycled sewage nutrients to create fertilizers tailored for OF; (ii) encapsulating biocontrol agents (e.g., yeast and bacteria) in biogenic materials to enhance their efficacy in protecting crops from diseases; (iii) developing processes for manufacturing microalgal-based agricultural fungicides; and (iv) producing immunostimulants and bark extracts with antiparasitic properties. To facilitate the integration of BIO2 solutions into OF and make them viable for farmers, we will scale up production processes and provide sufficient materials for testing in agronomic and animal trials from the project's early stages. The efficacy of these products will be studied and compared with contentious inputs, such as copper- and sulfur-based fungicides, mineral oils, manure from conventional farming, and synthetic antibiotics. BIO2 will prioritize sustainability assessments and actively engage stakeholders (industries, the OF sector, farmers transitioning to OF, and consumers) to develop products that are both environmentally friendly and accepted by end users. Potential barriers, such as raw material quality and availability, product costs, farmers’ acceptance, and regulatory challenges, will be addressed by diversifying material sources and involving key actors. By leveraging advanced technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration, BIO2 will deliver tangible outcomes, including the industrial production of at least 1 biocontrol agent, 2 fertilizers, and 1 antiparasitic treatment. Through its comprehensive approach, BIO2 not only addresses current limitations in OF but also contributes to broader sustainability goals by reducing environmental impacts and promoting a circular economy.

The GREENHOOD project pioneers a comprehensive approach to address the global challenge of unbalanced nutrient flows in regional ecosystems. Operating across four European countries and one associated region, GREENHOOD focuses on re-balancing nutrient flows and reducing N/P emissions through five key strategies: a) Participatory Approach: Engaging diverse stakeholders through capacity building, governance labs, and cross-regional exchange activities to ensure inclusive decision-making. b) Estimation of Maximum Allowable Nutrient Inputs: Utilizing optimized budgeting methodologies, including novel modeling tools and socio-economic data, to assess the impacts of new balancing practices. c) Demonstration of Effective Nutrient Management Strategies: Leveraging insights from previous R&D experiences to develop and demonstrate solutions for nutrient excess prevention, reduction, and recycling in key sectors such as agriculture, wastewater treatment, aquaculture, and forestry. d) Establishment of Regional Nutrient Circular Economy Schemes: Creating schemes to close nutrient flow gaps between sectors like livestock-agriculture and aquaculture-agriculture, evaluating the agronomic performance and market uptake of bio-based fertilizers and by-products. e) Innovative Governance Measures: Showcasing governance measures to incentivize the adoption of nutrient-balancing solutions, collaborating with regional administrators and supporting existing policies. GREENHOOD also emphasizes effective dissemination and exploitation of results by collaborating with strategic initiatives like CCRI and Mission projects, as well as conducting regional twinning programs. Through these efforts, GREENHOOD aims to pave the way for societies to operate within safe ecological boundaries while meeting socioeconomic needs.

The Organic-PLUS project has the overall aim of providing high quality, trans-disciplinary, scientifically informed decision support to help all actors in the organic sector, including national and regional policy makers, to reach the next level of the EU’s organic success story. By doing so organic food systems can be more true to organic principles but equally to the EU Bioeconomy agenda. Organic-PLUS objectives are to: 1) identify and valorise contentious inputs currently used in European agriculture 2) provide specific technical solutions to minimise or phase-out their use 3) provide environmental, social and economic assessments of phase-out scenarios 4) disseminate and broker knowledge, ideas and results to maximise impact. We use a trans-disciplinary research approach; the consortium includes 11 universities and 15 multi-actors from 9 EU and 3 associated countries. We combine scientists from many academic disciplines with advisors, farmers and other stakeholders in participatory research design. Organic-PLUS has three large ‘topical’ workpackages called PLANT (researching alternatives to copper and mineral oils), LIVESTOCK (researching alternatives to synthetic vitamins, antibiotics and novel animal bedding) and SOIL (researching alternatives to peat, animal-derived fertilisers and plastic mulch). The topical work is supported by IMPACT (researching consumer conceptions of contentious inputs and disseminating knowledge together with stakeholders) and by MODEL (using sustainability assessment methodology to deliver phasing-out scenarios). The LEAD workpackage is also responsible for managing the International Scientific and the European Industry advisory boards ensuring impact to industry and policy development. The results of the project are disseminated through peer-reviewed and farmer-facing publications, social media, on-farm events and international conferences and we will also ensure impact through citizen juries and engagement with policy makers.