1. Horizon 2020 Rural Renaissance call - 2017
Rural Network & Information – Ireland Nort/South event, 20th October, Dundalk
Miroslav Božić, DG AGRI
© Fotolia.com: Photographies # , 2015;stockWERK, # , 2015

2. Societal Challenge 2: Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry, Marine and Maritime and Inland Water Research and the Bioeconomy
2.1 Agriculture and forestry
2.2
Agri-food sector for a safe and healthy diet
2.3.
Aquatic living resources
2.4
Bio-based industries and bioeconomy
2.5
Marine and maritime research

3. Four Societal Challenge 2 Calls
Sustainable food security
Blue Growth
Rural Renaissance
Bio-based innovation for sustainable goods and services
Our work programme is structured around four main calls…which interacts based ont he center of gravity
SFS call: Actions to tackle the environmental, economic and social dimensions of food and nutrition security in a comprehensive manner by looking at all dimensions of FNS
- 431 M€ to ensure sufficient, safe and nutritious food for all while safeguarding natural resources
Rual R: addresses the territorial of SC2 sectors
Actions to address the territorial dimension of SC2 sectors with a focus on the development of non-food value chains (including from forests), biobased industries, digital technologies and the delivery of public goods in rural/coastal areas, seas and oceansdimension
© Photographies # , © stockWERK, # , 2015.Source Fotolia.com

4. Call Rural renaissance : Fostering innovation and business opportunities (RUR)
Territorial challenges
Vitality of rural areas
Diversity of EU agriculture
© Pictures Fotolia.com: Budimir Jevtic # ; Stepmar # ; Celeste Clochard

5. Key facts and figures: rural-urban typology
EU territory:
50% rural
38% intermediate
Rural & intermediate:
55% EU jobs
46% GVA
Rural areas indeed represent the vast majority of the European territory. Areas considered are predominantly rural make up 50% of the EU territory and we go up to 88% if we include the intermediate areas which are sort of semi-rural. Together, these areas represent 55% of EU jobs and produce 46% of the gross value added. So areas which are not predominantly urban are significant in economic terms.

6. Key facts and figures: rural growth potential
Rural GDP lags at around 70% of EU average
But average GDP growth rate higher in OECD rural regions (2013)
Aggregate growth or rural regions = 75% of total growth
EC, 2014
We notice that rural GDP/capita generally lags behind at around 70% of the EU average, when intermediate areas are around 87-88% and predominantly urban areas above average.
However, OECD work has demonstrated that the average GDP growth has been higher in the first decade of the 21st century in predominantly rural regions of the OECD than in intermediate and predominantly urban regions.
And OECD also illustrated that even if the growth is more limited in some rural regions than in very big agglomerations for example, as rural regions are much more numerous, their aggregate growth still represents 75% of total growth.
So in short: there are signs that rural growth can be fostered and there is a potential there which should not be neglected.
OECD, 2014

7. Key facts and figures: jobs
Primary sector employment still significant especially in EU-N12
Close link to secondary sector (up and downstream spill-over effects)
When we look at the distribution of jobs in rural areas, we see that the primary sector still matters, especially in the NMS where it still represents nearly one fourth of the employment. So agriculture development and all related value chains are an important component of the rural reconomy.
But the first employer is the tertiary sector. So when we look at rural development, we must not only look at agriculture but also at other business development opportunities, new business models, new types of jobs; that's what we try to do in this call.
EC, 2014

8. Key facts and figures: business development opportunities
Higher demand for "biomass" for food and non-food uses
New energy agenda, space for renewable energy
Renewed interest from consumers in local/regional products
Demand for ecosystem services, possibility for better remuneration
International trade of high-value added products
Lifestyle migrants
Services for new rural inhabitants
Finally, there are a number of opportunities which rural areas can exploit to increase their sustainable development potential such as:
the increasing demand for primary products for food and non-food uses
the new energy agenda and in particular the need to develop renewable energies, which require a lot of space and space is available in particular in rural areas
The reneweed interest of consumers in local and regional products, and things such as the development of urban food policies or regional food policies
The demand for ecosystem services and the possibility for better rewarding their provision
The increasing interest worldwide in our high-value added products
And we can see some demographic trends also. Many rural areas are depopulating but many are also repopulating with what we could call "lifestyle migrants", who move from urban centres to get a different way of life and who need to be provided with services. That includes retirees but not only.

9. Rural renaissance at a glance: what is it about?
Opportunities for sustainable rural growth…
… looked at through integrated approaches…
… cutting accross sectors…
… taking a territorial perspective…
… with the ambition to:
modernize policies & governance
foster new business development
boost innovation, co-creation and exploitation of knowledge
enhance social and human capital
Opportunities for sustainable rural growth…
… looked at through integrated approaches…
… cutting accross sectors…
… taking a territorial perspective…
… with the ambition to:
modernize policies & governance
foster new business development
boost innovation, co-creation and exploitation of knowledge
enhance social and human capital

10. Invest in better decision-making:
Rural renaissance: our territories € 128 million to grasp promising opportunities to boost rural growth and jobs
Invest in businesses:
47 M€ for new business models, new value chains and better connectivity
Invest in people:
49 M€ to boost innovation, co-creation and exploitation of knowledge by improving skills and innovation systems
Invest in better decision-making:
25 M€ to modernize policies and governance to make the most out of our resourceful territories sustainably
more and better jobs, better environment, better social cohesion
Help us to have it all:
To raise the sustainable development potential of rural areas…
we will invest in businesses, with 47 M€ for new business models, new value chains and better connectivity.
We will also invest in people, through a 49 M€ effort on innovation systems, networks, new approaches enabling co-creation of solutions by scientists and end-users and we will also look into improving the skills of all those working in farming, related industries and in rural areas in general
We will finally invest in better decision-making: rural areas are changing very rapidly and rural policies and governance mechanisms need to be permanently adapted to make the best out of these territories.
With these three axis for action we hope to have it all: more and better jobs, more public goods, a better environment and also enhanced social cohesion.

11. Rural renaissance : 3 areas
New approaches towards Policies and governance
New value chains and business models
Innovation and skills development
The Rural renaissance call is structured around 3 main areas that reflect the core objectives of the call:
New approaches to policies and governance
New value chains and business models
Innovations and skills development

12. New approaches towards policies and governance
5 topics – 32 M€
Territorial interactions: enhance synergies, adapt policies, foster cross-sectorial cooperation
Rural-urban
Land-sea (RUR-2)
RUR-3 ‘Towards 2030': policies and decision tools for an integrated management of land as a resource ! – Budget reduction to 7 mio EUR and scope clarification
Economic benefits from ecosystem services:
Farming & drinking water
RUR-5 Forest ecosystem services (IA)
Five topics (4 RIA, 1 IA).
Under policies and governance, we will focus on three main types of issues:
Enhancing synergies in territorial inetractions, seeking to adapt policies and to foster cross-sectoral cooperation: there we have two topics, one on rural-urban linkages and one on land-sea linkages
Policies and decision-support tools for an integrated management of natural resources: there we want to look at territorial level, accross sectors, how to best prioritize the use of scarse resources for different uses
Finally we want to look at how we can take advantage of ecosystem services and public goods from land management with one topic specifically on water, in particular drinking water, and one topic on forest ecosystem services.
RUR-3 update
• Remind that the purpose of making changes to RUR-03 was to clarify the scope. It was made clear that this topic was about the multiple uses of land as a resource and different land use and land management practices (which can impact on other natural resources, biodiversity, soil, water quality etc.), but the impact is through land management).
• Using the broad term natural resources in the original version led to questions for example if mining was also included - while water issues separate from land management are being dealt with elsewhere.
© Pictures Fotolia.com: Photyo # ; Stepmar #

13. New value chains and business models
4 topics – 47 M€
Crop diversification systems for delivery of food, feed, industrial products and ecosystem services
Resource-efficient and profitable industrial crops on marginal lands
Demonstration of integrated logistics for food and non-food applications
Business models for modern rural economies (RUR-9)
(3 RIA, 1 IA)
Under value chains and business models we will look at ways to develop business opportunities in an integrated way. We will explore:
crop diversification systems for delivery of food, feed, industrial products and ecosystem services
Industrial crops that could grow on marginal lands that we cannot use for other purposes
Integrated logistics for food and non-food applications
And then we have a transversal topic to look into business models for modern rural economies in general.
© Pictures Fotolia.com: Robert Kneschke # ; Chalabala #

14. Innovation and skills development
7 topics – 49 M€
Thematic networks (RUR-10)
Experimental and demonstration farms:
Mapping & linking
Thematic networks of demonstration farms (RUR-12)
Building a future science and education system (RUR-13)
Advisors' role in agriculture knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS)
Working together in EU countries where cooperation level is low
Optimising interactive innovation projects and policies for innovation (RUR-16)
3 RIA, 4 CSA).
Under innovation and skills development,
we will continue with thematic networks for translation of research into practice that we already started to support in the first H2020 work programme.
We will strengthen this networking component with activities around experimental and demonstration farms, with one topic to map these farms accross Europe and see how they can be linked and a second topic to actually set up network of demonstration farms on specific themes.
We have then several topics to support the strengthening of the Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems:
One around building the future science and education system, in which we look at the performance of current education systems and how to improve them to meet new demands for skills (technical skills but also soft skills)
One on how to strengthen the role of advisors in the AKIS
One on improving the cooperation level where in the countries where it is low, in particular in the new Member States
And finally one on optimising the interactive innovaton projects and all policies which have an impact on innovation.
© Pictures European Commission; Fotolia.com: Budimir Jevtic #

15. The multi-actor approach under WP2016-2017: Key elements
Description now in WP introduction p. 9-10
Multi-actor projects are about interactive innovation
Beyond dissemination requirement and stakeholders' board
Genuine and sufficient involvement of various actors all along the project, from planning to demonstration
Demonstrate how project will respond to end-users needs
Substantial practical knowledge easily accessible and understandable
Material  EIP-AGRI (for EIP-AGRI related areas)
Common format
Connect with operational groups

16. Number of planned EIP Operational Groups in approved RDPs 2014-2020
RDPs can be modified once a year
* Sum of the regional programmes

17. Learn from first Horizon 2020 multi-actor projects
Workshop "Interactive innovation in motion: multi- actor projects and thematic networks under Horizon " 24/11/2015:
Event page (presentations to be on-line end of the week): horizon2020/en/news/interactive- innovation-motion-multi-actor- projects-and-thematic-networks- under-horizon-2020
Recordings: g/workshop-on-multi-actor- approach-and-thematic-networks- under-horizon-2020

18. Multi-actor topics 2017 - Rural Renaissance (RUR)
Coastal-rural interactions: Enhancing synergies between land and sea-based activities
5 Mio €
RUR-5
Novel public policies, business models and mechanisms for the
sustainable supply of and payment for forest ecosystem services
8 Mio €
RUR-9
Business models for modern rural economies
9 Mio €
RUR-10
Thematic Networks compiling knowledge ready for practice
10 Mio €
RUR-13
Building a future science and education system fit to deliver to practice
7 Mio €
RUR-16
Optimising interactive innovation project approaches and the delivery of EU policies to speed up innovation in rural areas

19. The Multi-actor approach under WP2016-2017
Investment X 2,5  371,5 Million euros
38 topics in 3 calls: SFS, RUR (120 mio EUR), IoT

20. First experience: 2016 calls
Evaluation results:
Known for the single stage actions (IAs and CSAs)
Evaluation on-going for two-stage actions (RIAs)
Lower oversubscription compared to SFS calls
Novelty - first time introduced in 2016
Integrated approaches require new partnerships – takes time

21. Rural renaissance 2018-2020 – future reflections
Building block of a Strategic approach to EU agricultural research and innovation
Priority area: Enhancing rural innovation: modernising rural territories and policies
New openings for rural growth
Human and social capital
Importance stressed by SC2 Advisory group
Taken into account in Strategic orientations of
Developing smart, connected territories and value chains in rural and coastal areas
Addresses the territorial dimension of R&I activities in primary production, the food and bio-based industries, most of which are located in rural and coastal areas.
Activities will allow for better capitalising on territorial assets (e.g. natural, physical, social, cultural), taking into account long-term drivers to open new sustainable avenues for business, services and value chains in support of the diverse needs of rural and coastal communities.
Activities will promote new partnerships between producers, processors, retailers and society. Land-sea-urban interactions will be further explored to boost economic activities in rural and coastal territories in sustainable ways. Information, knowledge and skills are essential in this process and activities will give particular attention to innovation systems and the human, environmental and social capital.
Activities will explore the potential of the 'digital revolution' to reduce the divide between urban, rural and coastal areas and create smart, connected territories and value chains.
Horizontal aspects: 'Sustainability', 'Systems approaches', 'Open science', 'Enabling knowledge', 'Adapted technologies' and 'Widening participation'

22. Resources, guidance and tools
Useful pages and documents
Horizon 2020 online manual
Reference documents : work programmes, legal and guidance documents
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) on participant portal
IT Helpdesk for questions about the Participant Portal tools and processes.
You have a specific question?
Contact your National Contact Point or the Horizon 2020 helpdesk for guidance, practical information and assistance on all aspects of participation in Horizon 2020.

23. Guidance and tools on horizontal issues
Communication and dissemination matters!
Look at the communication and dissemination guide
Applying to a topic with a strong Social Science and Humanities (SSH) dimension?
SSH page of the H2020 Manual
Tips on the NET4SOCIETY website and partner directory
How to engage the public in your research activities?
EIP-AGRI brochure on participatory approaches
Tools developed by the Engage 2020 project

24. Work Programme documents and supporting material
A guide to find your way
through calls 2016
of interest to
agriculture and forestry
Official published version:
only this one prevails!
Participant portal
Reference documents
Societal challenge 2
work programme
EIP-AGRI website
Brochure

25. Thank you for your attention!
Find out more:

26. Evaluation criteria depend on the type of actions
Research and Innovation Action
Action primarily consisting of activities aiming to establish new knowledge and/or to explore the feasibility of a new or improved technology, product, process, service or solution
For this purpose they may include basic and applied research, technology development and integration, testing and validation on a small-scale prototype in a laboratory or simulated environment
Projects may contain closely connected but limited demonstration or pilot activities aiming to show technical feasibility in a near to operational environment
Research and innovation actions follow 2-stage submission and evaluation scheme. The only exception is Xylella topic (SFS-9) which is an RIA that is falling under single stage submission and evaluation scheme.
Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) follow single stage submission and evaluation scheme with the submission deadline of 17 February 2016, while for the 2017 calls there is a provisional submission deadline of 14 February 2017.

27. Evaluation criteria depend on the type of actions
Innovation Action
Action primarily consisting of activities directly aiming at producing plans and arrangements or designs for new, altered or improved products, processes or services
For this purpose they may include prototyping, testing, demonstrating, piloting, large-scale product validation and market replication
Aiming to validate the technical and economic viability in a (near) operational environment and/or aiming to support the first application/deployment in the market of an innovation that has already been demonstrated but not yet applied/deployed in the market due to market failures/barriers to uptake
Projects may include limited research and development activities.
Research and innovation actions follow 2-stage submission and evaluation scheme. The only exception is Xylella topic (SFS-9) which is an RIA that is falling under single stage submission and evaluation scheme.
Innovation Actions (IA) and Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) follow single stage submission and evaluation scheme with the submission deadline of 17 February 2016, while for the 2017 calls there is a provisional submission deadline of 14 February 2017.

28. Evaluation criteria depend on the type of actions
Coordination & Support Action
Actions consisting primarily of accompanying measures such as
standardisation, dissemination, awareness-raising and communication, networking, coordination or support services, policy dialogues and mutual learning exercises and studies, including design studies for new infrastructure, and
may also include complementary activities of strategic planning, networking and coordination between programmes in different countries