[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

July 15, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time, single-stage)

Up to €81,000 per project over 15 months; total call budget €729,000; up to 9 projects funded

Supports small- and medium-sized farms with digital solutions for sustainable agroecological farming through a 15-month co-creation innovation programme.

Funding is deliverable-based and paid in instalments after milestone reviews (no prefinancing).

--- ## Description The GUARDIANS Co-Creation Open Call is part of the European Commission’s GUARDIANS project, which aims to empower small- and medium-sized farms by bridging the technological gap with larger food producers. The call seeks proposals for smart, cost-effective, and human-centric digital solutions to enhance sustainability and resilience in agroecological farming models. These include regenerative agriculture, natural grazing, alternative managed grazing strategies, and pollinator promotion. The programme is structured as a 15-month, multi-actor co-creation process, divided into four phases: Co-Design, Development, Validation, and Replication. Selected projects will customize and deploy a combination of software and hardware technologies to address real-world farming needs, with close collaboration between researchers, technical experts, and farmers. --- ## Due Dates - Application deadline: **July 15, 2025 (17:00 Brussels time)** - Single-stage submission --- ## Funding Amount - **Up to €81,000 per project** (technology provider and farm combined) - **Up to 9 projects funded** - **Total available budget: €729,000** - Funding is distributed in four instalments, linked to successful completion of deliverables at each project phase: - Co-Design (3 months): up to €10,000 (tech provider) + up to €6,000 (farm) - Development (6 months): up to €20,000 (tech provider) + up to €6,000 (farm) - Validation (6 months): up to €20,000 (tech provider) + up to €10,000 (farm) - Replication (3 months, in parallel with Validation): up to €10,000 (tech provider) *No prefinancing; payments are made after milestone reviews.* --- ## Eligibility - Targeted at **small- and medium-sized farms** and technology providers offering digital solutions relevant to agroecological farming. - Applicants must form consortia involving both technology providers and farm partners. - Solutions must address the technological needs of small- and medium-sized farms, focusing on sustainability, resilience, and agroecological practices. - Further eligibility details are available in the Guide for Applicants (see External Links). --- ## Application Process - Submit proposals via the [online application form](http://url.ctic.es/guardiansopencall). - The selection process consists of: 1. Eligibility check 2. External expert evaluation 3. Final validation by the GUARDIANS Selection Committee - Proposals must outline a co-creation plan for the design, development, validation, and replication of digital solutions. - Deliverables and milestones are required at each phase for continued funding. --- ## Additional Information - Funding is **deliverable-based**; each instalment is paid after successful review of phase-specific milestones. - Participation in the “Test Before Invest” Open Call may affect payment conditions for certain phases. - The programme encourages real-world, multi-actor collaboration and aims to generate lasting impact through technology adoption and replication. --- ## External Links - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal – GUARDIANS Co-Creation Open Call](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/competitive-calls-cs/10982?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=7&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Project website](https://guardians-project.eu/) - [Open Call Microsite](https://guardians-project.eu/call/open-call-%201-co-creation) - [Application form](http://url.ctic.es/guardiansopencall) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Details | |-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Helpdesk Email | [ocguardians@ctic.es](mailto:ocguardians@ctic.es) | | Funder Contact | [Contact the European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | Phone | +32 2 299 11 11 |

GUARDIANS Co-Creation Open Call

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