Graze4Future - “Empowering Farmers with Climate-Smart Grazing Models and Digital Innovation for Resilient Grasslands”

Project Analysis & Concept Note

Call: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-06

Topic: Improving grassland management in European livestock farming systems

Type of Action: RIA – Research and Innovation Action

Budget: €16 million

EU Contribution per Project: ~€8 million

Expected Outcomes: Better data, models, and methodologies to measure the multifunctionality of grasslands. Increased farmer access to sustainable grassland knowledge and strategies. Broader uptake of innovations for biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and circularity. Enhanced animal welfare and grassland productivity. Resilience to climate change and ecosystem preservation​.

Proposed Project Concept:

Title: “GreenGraze: Multifunctional Grasslands for Climate Resilience and Animal Welfare in European Livestock Systems”

Objective: To develop, demonstrate, and replicate innovative models of low-input, biodiversity-rich grassland livestock farming systems through digital tools, traceability systems, and stakeholder-driven innovation across the EU and accession countries.

Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) & Ideal Consortium Roles:

WP1 – Project Coordination and Management

Lead: University or RTO with Horizon coordination experience

Key Tasks: Governance, reporting, IPR strategy, ethics

Partners: Coordinator, Legal advisor, National ministries

BAC Role: N/A (supporting with national reporting if needed)

WP2 – Agroecological Assessment & Grassland System Mapping

Lead: Agricultural research institute

Key Tasks: Soil biodiversity, forage profiles, pasture use mapping, climate risk indicators

Partners: Ecologists, livestock experts, remote sensing specialists

BAC Role: Contribute local datasets from Sjenica farm; validate pasture typologies in high-altitude Serbian context

WP3 – Livestock-Grazing Optimization Models & Monitoring Tools

Lead: Tech or bioengineering university

Key Tasks: Develop models for optimal herd rotation, nutrient cycles, biodiversity tracking

Partners: ICT companies, universities, agronomists

BAC Role: Deploy herd movement tracking tools, soil moisture sensors, grazing schedule optimizers at demo site

WP4 – Demonstration & Living Labs

Lead: Demonstration farm or innovation hub

Key Tasks: Set up pilot sites; validate circular and biodiversity-enhancing practices

Partners: Farms, NGOs, training centres

BAC Role (CORE): Host pilot (Angus Organic Farm – 500 head nucleus herd), Run real-life demonstrations of rotational grazing, biodiversity planting, solar-powered irrigation

Showcase IPARD-funded infrastructure as scalable template for accession states

WP5 – Digital Innovation and Traceability Systems

Lead: SME with experience in agri-software

Key Tasks: Develop dashboards for TQM, carbon metrics, welfare indicators

Partners: ICTs, agri-insurtech, blockchain companies

BAC Role: Integrate digital twin and smart grazing alerts into farm operations

Share geo-tagged data for Farm2Fork impact metrics

WP6 – Policy & Replication Pathways for EU and Accession Countries

Lead: Policy