In this article, Caroline Wynne, NCP for Environment, outlines a number of upcoming opportunities and events that will be of particular interest to Ireland’s environmental and sustainability research community.
European Commission Review of the Horizon Europe Missions
The European Commission recently published a mid-term review of the five EU Missions under Horizon Europe. The communication reinforces the central role of research and innovation in supporting Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, sustainability and strategic autonomy and is broadly supportive of the progress being made by the Missions.
For 2021-2027, the Missions’ budget is €4.8 billion, with their 2024-2027 budget making up 11% of the total allocated to Pillar II of Horizon Europe. Between the launch of the EU Missions in 2021 and 2025, the EU contributed €3.3 billion to EU Missions’ calls via Horizon Europe funding.
The Commission’s overall judgment is that the mission-oriented approach is working, creating stronger ecosystems for innovation, deployment, citizen engagement, governance and investment than traditional research programmes alone.
Biodiversa+: Looking Beyond 2028
Last month, the Biodiversa+ General Assembly and Future Cooperation Workshop in Ljubljana, took place on the 15-17 September.
L to R: Magnus Tannerfelt, Rainer Sotke and Ron Winkler, Biodiversa+ Co-Chairs; Caroline Wynne; Environmental Protection Agency; Katja Žagar, Slovenian Ministry of Science and Innovation host.
Discussions focused on:
- Approval of projects for funding from the 2025/6 Joint Transnational Call
- The updated Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda
- Strengthening biodiversity monitoring across Europe
- Future cooperation models and priorities beyond 2028
A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the importance of maintaining strong links between science, policy and practice, ensuring that biodiversity research continues to support real-world decision-making and implementation.
The conversations also highlighted the growing importance of European collaboration on biodiversity monitoring, restoration and knowledge mobilisation, areas which will remain highly relevant for Irish researchers and policymakers alike.
Key Events for the Cluster 6 Community
- EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change Annual Forum 2026
Dublin will host the Fifth Forum for the EU Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change on 24 November 2026, with accompanying site visits and networking activities taking place on 23 November. The Forum will bring together policymakers, researchers, regional authorities and practitioners to explore climate resilience across Europe. This is a significant opportunity for Irish organisations to engage directly with leading European actors working on climate adaptation and resilience.
- EU Mission Soil Week 2026
Ireland will also host the European Mission Soil Week 2026 in Dublin on 17-18 November 2026, under the auspices of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Hosted by Teagasc and the European Commission, the event will bring together researchers, policymakers, farmers, land managers, businesses and financial institutions to discuss challenges and solutions for sustainable soil management. The event provides an excellent platform for researchers interested in Mission Soil activities and future Horizon Europe opportunities linked to sustainable land management.
Horizon Europe Networking and Brokerage Opportunities
A range of European networking and brokerage events are being organised through the European Research and Innovation Community platform to support consortium development and project preparation. Researchers planning submissions to forthcoming Cluster 6 topics and partnership calls are encouraged to attend these events to identify potential collaborators and strengthen proposal development.
- Horizon Europe info day: Horizontal Activities Nature and Bridging calls. The session will provide participants with targeted guidance on the policy context, supporting applicants in understanding the objectives and opportunities of the Nature and Bridging calls.
- The CARE4BIO project, gathering Cluster 6 National Contact Points (NCPs), will host a virtual brokerage event for potential applicants on 19 October 2026. The event offers networking and matchmaking opportunities to find partners who share the same topics of interest.
New Funding Opportunities
- Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership: Fourth Joint Transnational Call
The Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP) has launched its fourth Joint Transnational Call, with an overall budget of approximately €38 million. Applications require multinational consortia involving partners from at least three participating countries. A brokerage programme is currently underway to facilitate partnership building, and a dedicated information webinar is being offered to prospective applicants. Researchers working in marine, coastal and blue economy research should consider this opportunity.
- Water4All 2026 Joint Transnational Call
The Water4All Partnership has launched its 2026 Joint Transnational Call on “Sustainable Water Management.”With an overall budget of approximately €34 million, the call includes a dedicated opportunity for Early Career Researchers, alongside the main funding stream. Projects are expected to contribute to implementation of the European Green Deal, the EU Water Resilience Strategy and wider sustainability objectives.
For further information contact C.Wynne@epa.ie and to find out more about Horizon Europe, go to www.horizoneurope.ie
