More than 1 Million € for SMEs to boost European Urban Agriculture towards sustainable and resilient urban food systems, green and digital transition, and internationalization.

 

About the project

A 30-month pioneering European project, SUAVE EuroCluster, aims to boost urban agriculture (UA) towards sustainable and resilient urban food systems.

An integral part of SUAVE’s concept is the development of urban green spaces, alternative methods of generating and distributing food, new technology applied to cities, environmental issues, and urban planning, along with social aspects of inclusion, integration, and community building.

Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC) and Zero Waste are essential for providing a better environment and also responding to urban population demands. Using new and alternative technologies, such as Industry 4.0 solutions, urban agriculture covers diverse fields, including vertical and indoor farming systems, soilless urban farms (hydroponics, aeroponics, and aquaponics), and Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA).

EuroCluster gathers five experienced agri-food and digital clusters with the aim of boosting innovation in urban farming systems via networking activities, innovation support, and SMEs’ innovation adoption, as well as training. The project supports SMEs from new ideas in urban agriculture to market entry of new services and products, with 1,050 M€ (over 75% of the budget) designated for SMEs from European countries.

Role of AgriFood Lithuania in SUAVE

As part of its mission, AFL connects its stakeholders with international and cross-sectoral initiatives, provides comprehensive support for research, development, and implementation of agricultural innovations, and has been recognized by the EU Joint Research Center for its excellent industry focus. Every year, AFL organizes international events like the “AgriFood Forum” for business and political leaders, as well as “HACK AgriFood“. These points prove the company’s ability to collaborate with partners from the EU and outside of the EU, and to support SMEs in their digitalization and internationalization efforts. The AFL also contributes to the SUAVE project’s overall activities.

AgriFood Lithuania DIH aims to strengthen the resilience of the EU industrial ecosystems by building value chain interconnections within the EU single market, which serves as a basis for further networking actions and innovation, adoption, and training support.

Who can apply?
European SMEs in the European Urban Agriculture value chain. SMEs should:

  • Be an European SME (employing less than 250 persons with an annual turnover of up to EUR 50 million, or a balance sheet total of no more than EUR 43 million) as per the definition of the European Union in line with the EU recommendation 2003/361.
  • Provide services, products, supplies, and technologies for the European Urban Agriculture food system
  • Be directly or indirectly linked to at least one of the following types of urban agriculture

 

Important information

  • SUAVE application page on the grant platform: https://lnkd.in/g9wWfJQP
  • Before starting your application, please carefully read the Guide for Applicants:  https://bit.ly/3Kbd0Ae
  • Visit the SUAVE European Cluster Collaboration Platform page for more information: https://lnkd.in/g9qSCqQQ
  • Follow the news and register for the info sessions, which will be available in April in English, French, Hungarian, Lithuanian, Spanish and Polish!