HORIZON-CL6-2026-02-COMMUNITIES-01 Boosting sustainable competitiveness in rural areas through innovation

1)Understanding drivers and obstacles of sustainable competitiveness in rural agri-food systems

Support research and data analysis on the market and social drivers/ barriers affecting competitiveness of rural agri-food businesses.

Conduct consumers’ studies by surveys in different EU countries and focus groups or in-depth interviews in Spain.

Provide evidence from real industrial ecosystems in rural regions in Spain, where CNTA operates, supporting case studies on circular economy, digitalization, and innovation adoption in SMEs and cooperatives.

2. Supporting rural startups and young entrepreneurs

Support the design of technological roadmaps and carry out activities to support the technological development of solutions (prototyping, pilot tests, consumer acceptance, etc.).

Host cross-regional demo days and solution-sharing events to promote adoption across rural territories.

Develop short, practical online and blended training modules on food innovation, sustainability, food safety and quality, market opportunities, trends, legal requirements.

3)CNTA has been partner of CONSERWA and is currently involved in CO-FRESH and BIOTECH4FOOD, which collectively aim to transform and modernize European agri-food value chains by integrating agroecological practices, advanced biotechnologies and collaborative innovation models to enhance sustainability, circularity, economic performance and farmer/SME capacity, supported by decision tools, training and inter-regional cooperation.