Carbon Initiative for Climate-resilient Agriculture

Project Information

CARBONICA

Grant agreement ID: 101087233

DOI

10.3030/101087233

EC signature date 9 November 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 4 985 250,00

EU contribution

€ 4 985 250,00

Coordinated by

REFRAME FOOD ASTIKI MI KERDOSKOPIKI ETAIRIA
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - CARBONICA (Carbon Initiative for Climate-resilient Agriculture)

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The vision of CARBONICA Excellence Hub is to become a regional hub for excellence in R&I, infrastructure, business development, and policy, aimed at reducing agriculture’s carbon footprint in Cyprus, Greece, and North Macedonia. Its mission is to consolidate and enhance the R&I capacity of these ecosystems to foster the uptake of carbon farming solutions as a pathway to climate-resilient agriculture. This will be achieved through a collaborative model engaging the quadruple helix, underpinned by a joint R&I strategy integrating state-of-the-art knowledge and technologies.

Key Objective 1: Strengthen place-based innovation and excellence in carbon farming to achieve wider understanding and adoption. The Hub interconnects three regional innovation ecosystems and their key stakeholders.
Key Objective 2: Foster long-term cross-border collaboration and viable linkages between quadruple helix actors to enable knowledge transfer, entrepreneurial skills, and collective capacity.
Key Objective 3: Design, validate, and implement pilots and demonstrators that will inform the joint R&I strategy and action plan. The strategy will outline national priorities, themes, and objectives, and guide future policies and funding.
Key Objective 4: Create business opportunities by bridging science and industry, connecting start-ups and SMEs with investors, mentors, and markets through dedicated business development programmes.

By linking three place-based ecosystems into a broader European network, CARBONICA promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, accelerates innovation, and strengthens carbon farming as a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1: Active operation of three national Multi-Actor Platforms (MAPs) was achieved. Stakeholder needs were validated through >200 surveys and >60 interviews. The CARBONICA Academy was launched as a farmer-friendly training hub, enriched by cross-visits, workshops, and online sessions.

WP2: The Joint R&I Strategy was updated with new thematic areas aligned with EU policies and emerging science. An Action and Sustainability Plan was drafted, providing long-term governance and investment pathways.

WP3: Pilot sites were established across all ecosystems, covering >10 crops (cereals, olives, vines, citrus, broccoli, apples, peaches, potatoes). Common protocols harmonised monitoring and data collection. Lab prototypes of farming solutions and accreditation protocols were validated against ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 15189:2022, paving the way for certification.

WP4: Business development services became operational. The Acceleration Programme attracted 32 participants (start-ups, SMEs, farmers, innovation teams), focusing on business model refinement, investor readiness, and internationalisation. The Carbon Farming Toolbox was validated, building market confidence and certification potential.

WP5: Two White Papers were published: (1) overview of EU policies relevant to carbon farming, (2) policy landscape and gap analysis for CY, GR, MK. Brain gain strategies progressed through three conferences and six roundtables with diaspora experts. Dissemination exceeded targets, with 19 networking events, 12 community presentations, and strong online presence including podcasts.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Joint R&I Strategy

The updated Joint R&I Strategy has been completed, expanding on the initial version with new thematic areas aligned to evolving EU policy frameworks and recent scientific advances. It now provides a clearer roadmap with enhanced operational guidance, ensuring its continued relevance for carbon farming R&I at national and EU levels.

Policy Recommendations

Two White Papers have been produced, offering evidence-based recommendations on the policy context for carbon farming at EU and national levels. Additional policy focus groups and masterclasses are underway, feeding into EU frameworks such as the Carbon Removals Certification Framework (CRCF), CAP eco-schemes, and biodiversity targets.

Potential Impacts

Scientific and Technological Impact
CARBONICA has consolidated its role as an Excellence Hub for carbon farming across Cyprus, Greece, and North Macedonia. The CARBONICA Toolbox of Carbon Farming Solutions has been validated against ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 15189:2022 standards, enhancing its credibility for certification and market uptake. The CARBONICA Academy was launched as a farmer-friendly, open-access training hub with >6 modules, complemented by field-based pilots and demonstrators testing solutions across more than ten crop types. These actions strengthen scientific outputs while embedding innovations into place-based ecosystems.

Economic Impact
The Acceleration Programme has been launched, attracting 32 participants (start-ups, SMEs, farmers, innovation teams). It supports business model refinement, investor readiness, and internationalisation, directly enhancing market uptake of carbon farming solutions. Toolbox validation has built market confidence and opened certification pathways. Together these advances underpin operational sustainability, new products and services, SME growth, job creation, and the opening of new market niches in sustainable agriculture.

Societal Impact
CARBONICA has broadened societal reach through the Academy, training workshops, MAP engagement, and cross-visits, reinforcing acceptance and uptake of carbon farming solutions. Dissemination exceeded projections with 19 networking events, 12 community presentations, a strengthened digital presence, and new podcast formats. Brain gain strategies advanced via three conferences and six online roundtables with diaspora experts, reconnecting scientific talent with regional ecosystems. Collectively, these actions cultivate awareness, trust, and long-term integration of carbon farming into society, while contributing to EU and national climate goals.

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