Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CARE4BIO (Network of National Contact Points for Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment)
Reporting period: 2023-12-01 to 2025-05-31
CARE4BIO serves the needs for transnational cooperation between National Contact Points for Cluster 6 as well as for cross-cluster cooperation within Pillar 2, but also with other programme parts such as Widening Participation. Our consortium comprises a well-balanced network of 26 partners, including partners from the EU-13 and Associated Countries, combining all levels of relevant experience and expertise. Many of us fulfil multiple roles, for instance also working as National Contact Points in other Clusters and Pillars of Horizon Europe or in the Enterprise Europe Network. We are well set-up to deliver on our objectives, namely to (1) harmonise NCP services and increase their quality via transnational cooperation, (2) lower entry barriers for applicants, especially in less active member states and raise the quality of submitted proposals, (3) inform the European R&D community about cross-cutting synergies throughout Horizon Europe. To achieve this, we will cooperate with other National Contact Points networks such as the ones mentioned above, to share knowledge and best practices, maximise efforts on informing National Contact Points, applicants and stakeholders, thereby raising the quality of proposals, breaking down silos, and encouraging trans-cluster collaboration. We will cooperate with the European Commission to assist in delivering upon political objectives such as the EU Green Deal, guiding applicants on policies, and providing feedback from our work as National Contact Points. We also offer concrete services for applicants, e.g. by organising yearly brokerage events to aid applicants in forming their own cooperation networks, and by supporting other matchmaking efforts. Our services will include training, learning resources, best practice manuals, and more. While our services will be available to whoever needs them, our focus is on National Contact Points and applicants from widening countries. Ultimately, our goal is to raise the general standard of support for potential applicants of Horizon Europe, contributing to increasing the quality of applications/proposals.
During the 2nd reporting period (Dec 2023 – May 2025), CARE4BIO advanced all three Specific Objectives (SO) through diverse activities, with strong emphasis on supporting Widening countries.
For Cluster 6 National Contact Points, 8 trainings—online and onsite—engaged 313 participants, covering topics such as the Multi-Actor Approach, coaching, impact pathways, and cross-cluster opportunities. An updated National Contact Points (NCPs) training curriculum (2025–2027) was developed from 74 survey responses, and updated materials were published, including the Welcome & Info Package, Guide for newcomer NCPs, Annotated Proposal Templates, and Best Practices Guide. Two experience exchange events further enhanced peer learning. These activities supported SO1.
For applicants, 10 training and awareness-raising events were conducted, with strong Widening participation. A key highlight was the 3rd CARE4BIO Brokerage Event on 27 May 2025 in Warsaw, held with the EC, EEN, and others. The event supported SO2, gathering 226 participants and enabling over 685 matchmaking meetings. A long-term online platform extended access. Five applicant trainings were delivered, including a hands-on CBE JU session in Brussels, and sessions on EU Missions and LIFE Programme opportunities. Five awareness events focused on newcomers, were conducted with topics like JRC collaboration, preparation to participate in a brokerage event and SSH integration.
CARE4BIO deepened cooperation with EEN, CBE JU, NCP_WIDERA.NET GREENET, and NCP4Missions through joint trainings and stakeholder activities. A two-way communication channel with the EC (via NCP correspondents) allowed NCPs to share feedback and raise needs. The project also worked closely with Biodiversa+, SBEP, the LIFE Programme, and JRC to increase outreach. These collaborations supported SO3.
Communication and dissemination remained a priority. The redesigned CARE4BIO website features an updated repository of training content, stakeholder maps, and templates. Website analytics highlighted low engagement in some Widening countries, to be addressed in upcoming meetings. Outreach was supported via newsletters, social media, email campaigns, and the Horizon Europe NCP Portal. All training content was shared within 3–4 days. The effort of Communication and Disseminating supported all three SOs, as cross-cutting activities.
CARE4BIO also organised two major brokerage events alongside EC Cluster 6 Info Days in 2022 and 2023. Over 1,600 joined the first online BE, and more than 900 attended the second (200+ onsite). Feedback showed 84% found potential collaborators; 24% formed or joined consortia—demonstrating CARE4BIO’s role in fostering transnational partnerships.
To ensure ongoing impact, efforts continue to improve NCP service visibility, foster sustained collaboration, and provide tailored support to Widening countries. Internal communication improved with the monthly “CARE4BIO bulletin” for partner updates.
For Cluster 6 National Contact Points, 8 trainings—online and onsite—engaged 313 participants, covering topics such as the Multi-Actor Approach, coaching, impact pathways, and cross-cluster opportunities. An updated National Contact Points (NCPs) training curriculum (2025–2027) was developed from 74 survey responses, and updated materials were published, including the Welcome & Info Package, Guide for newcomer NCPs, Annotated Proposal Templates, and Best Practices Guide. Two experience exchange events further enhanced peer learning. These activities supported SO1.
For applicants, 10 training and awareness-raising events were conducted, with strong Widening participation. A key highlight was the 3rd CARE4BIO Brokerage Event on 27 May 2025 in Warsaw, held with the EC, EEN, and others. The event supported SO2, gathering 226 participants and enabling over 685 matchmaking meetings. A long-term online platform extended access. Five applicant trainings were delivered, including a hands-on CBE JU session in Brussels, and sessions on EU Missions and LIFE Programme opportunities. Five awareness events focused on newcomers, were conducted with topics like JRC collaboration, preparation to participate in a brokerage event and SSH integration.
CARE4BIO deepened cooperation with EEN, CBE JU, NCP_WIDERA.NET GREENET, and NCP4Missions through joint trainings and stakeholder activities. A two-way communication channel with the EC (via NCP correspondents) allowed NCPs to share feedback and raise needs. The project also worked closely with Biodiversa+, SBEP, the LIFE Programme, and JRC to increase outreach. These collaborations supported SO3.
Communication and dissemination remained a priority. The redesigned CARE4BIO website features an updated repository of training content, stakeholder maps, and templates. Website analytics highlighted low engagement in some Widening countries, to be addressed in upcoming meetings. Outreach was supported via newsletters, social media, email campaigns, and the Horizon Europe NCP Portal. All training content was shared within 3–4 days. The effort of Communication and Disseminating supported all three SOs, as cross-cutting activities.
CARE4BIO also organised two major brokerage events alongside EC Cluster 6 Info Days in 2022 and 2023. Over 1,600 joined the first online BE, and more than 900 attended the second (200+ onsite). Feedback showed 84% found potential collaborators; 24% formed or joined consortia—demonstrating CARE4BIO’s role in fostering transnational partnerships.
To ensure ongoing impact, efforts continue to improve NCP service visibility, foster sustained collaboration, and provide tailored support to Widening countries. Internal communication improved with the monthly “CARE4BIO bulletin” for partner updates.
A key highlight of the 2nd reporting period was the 3rd CARE4BIO Brokerage Event, held onsite in Warsaw on 27 May 2025 with the EC, EEN, GREENET, and NCP_WIDERA.NET. The event gathered 226 participants, 19 flash presentations from over 60 submissions, and over 685 matchmaking meetings. It strongly involved Widening countries through 10 CARE4BIO travel grants and further reimbursements from NCP_WIDERA.NET. An online platform extended networking through September 2025. Feedback confirmed the event supported new partnerships and better proposals, especially from less active regions. Its alignment with policy and training sessions added value. CARE4BIO also delivered five applicant trainings and five awareness events with strong Widening country participation. Topics included CBE JU proposals, EU Missions, LIFE funding, and Cluster 6 guidance. The project continues to expand NCP tool access, enhance collaboration, and strengthen Widening country support—boosting proposal quality and cooperation in Horizon Europe Cluster 6.