Carbon Initiative for Climate-resilient Agriculture (CARBONICA)
Carbon innovations in farming ecosystems targeting reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Description
The Carbon Initiative for Climate-resilient Agriculture project, known also as Carbonica, is a 4-year project (2023–2026) targeting the connection of the carbon farming innovation ecosystems of Greece, North Macedonia and Cyprus. The Carbonica Excellence Hub (CEH) established under the project was envisaged to bolster place-based innovation and excellence in the three countries, aiming to increase the collective understanding and uptake of carbon farming methods and thus reduce agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The project targeted five main outcomes: 1) the establishment of a Joint Strategic E&I strategy including research priorities, themes, actions and focus areas for each country, as well those to be applied jointly, taking into consideration current challenges, research trends, stakeholder needs and current carbon farming policies; 2) the creation of a toolbox of carbon-farming solutions; 3) the creation of two lab prototypes – one as a carbon farming solution, and one as a carbon footprint accreditation/certification protocol; 4) the development of an e-learning platform covering such topics as carbon farming solutions, carbon footprint certification protocols, business development and policy design; and 5) the production of a single policy recommendation document for dissemination within the European Union.
Technology
Under the Carbonica project, the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the Carbonica Excellence Hub was envisaged to be increased as a service provider in carbon farming activities, making use of cutting-edge technologies (Earth Observation), in situ data, digital agriculture, etc. The technological solution targeted in the project comprises three components: 1) an interactive e-learning platform with training and audio-visual content addressing such issues as carbon farming solutions, carbon footprint certification protocols, and business development and policy design activities; 2) a toolbox of carbon-farming solutions for use in three intervention areas (soil management, including soil organic C sequestration and related protocols; land management, including machinery, fertilizers, and the use of fossil fuels and fertilizers; and post-harvest management, to quantify the impact of carbon emissions); and 3) two laboratory prototypes of carbon farming solutions and footprint accreditation/certification systems.
Target
Among the many potential beneficiaries of the policy and recommendation component are policy-makers and civil society in the public sector; academia; and industrial stakeholders in the private sector. The private sector may also benefit from the participation of more than 30 start-ups and SMEs in the provision of support services for business development. Furthermore, training modules were planned for the education of 1000 stakeholders, accessible through the e-learning platform, as well as related workshops, while 20 experts were envisaged to be involved in brain gain activities. Finally, farmers in the three implementation countries of intervention were to gain access to carbon farming knowledge and solutions, as well as learning materials.
Business model
The project has been funded by the European Union under the Horizon programme (2023–2026) “Widening participation and spreading excellence” with a total budget of EUR 4 985 250.
Impact
The impact of the project has been strongly related to the establishment of the Carbonica Excellence Hub (CEH) and the planned focus on long-term cross-border collaboration and strong viable linkages between the actors of the quadruple helix (policy, industry, academia and civil society) within the three innovation ecosystems, motivating knowledge transfer, sharpening entrepreneurial skills and expanding collective capacity in carbon farming. The project was also envisaged to support the creation of business opportunities related to carbon farming by bridging the gap between science and industry, establishing poles of attraction for innovators and investors, and improving the uptake of carbon farming methods.
Partners
Diabalkaniki Kentro Periballontos; Scientatct anonymi etairia emporias espistimonikou expolismou; Ministry of Environment and Energy - Greece; AG Futura Technologii Dooel Skopje - North Macedonia; Zdruzenie Platforma Za Zelen Razvoj Skopje; Agencija za pottiknuvanje na razvojot na zwmjodelstvoto; Republic of North Macedonia State Univerisity Stip Coce Delcev Stip; Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence; Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus; Cellock Ltd; Technologiko Penepistimio Kyprou; Ethniko Systima Diapisteusis; Panagrotikos Syndesmos Kyprou Somateio
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
