Collaborating for Greater Impact
This section will showcase the linked projects, featuring short descriptions, links to their websites, and contact information — an open door to collaboration and shared progress.
By connecting with initiatives that share similar goals, especially in the Mediterranean region, PRIMA programme enhances stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and long-term impact. These partnerships, involving ongoing and past projects, promote continuity, mutual learning, and the development of resilient agricultural systems through accessible, cooperative activities.
4CE-MED project aims at developing Mediterranean innovative, diversified and resilient farming systems not competing for land with actual food chain, following a participatory approach for identifying smallholder needs, while planning, monitoring and evaluating the project actions. The 4CE-MED systems are modified conventional farming systems including camelina, a promising oilseed crop for Europe, as a cash cover crop which might increase farmers’ revenue while enhancing soil and water conservation.
Profesor Andrea Monti: a.monti@unibo.it
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM – UNIVERSITÀ DI BOLOGNA
The project will focus on innovative farming systems for these crops, which can grow almost everywhere in Europe and Northern Africa. They also provide high quality oils that will be transformed into innovative biobased products (bioherbicides, bioplastics). What’s more, the co-product from oil extraction from these crops is a protein-rich cake that can be used as animal feed. A solution may be found in two new oilseed crops, carinata and camelina. The CARINA solution will benefit approximately three million farmers.
Profesor Andrea Monti: a.monti@unibo.it
ALMA MATER STUDIORUM – UNIVERSITÀ DI BOLOGNA
The project aims to transform degraded and marginal land in the Mediterranean region into productive and sustainable agroecosystems by introducing neglected and underutilised species (NUS) that are well adapted to drought, salinity and poor soils, but which have been overlooked by modern agriculture. By focusing on these resilient species, VENUS seeks to improve soil health, reduce land degradation and make efficient use of scarce water resources, whilst creating new economic opportunities for local farmers.
Dr. Vassilis Aschonitis: v.aschonitis@swri.gr
Hellenic Agricultural Organization – DIMITRA, Soil and Water Resources Institute
The project promotes the cultivation and utilisation of Neglected and Underutilised Species (NUS) as climate-resilient solutions for sustainable agriculture in arid Mediterranean regions. By introducing drought-tolerant crops such as cacti, barley and traditional pulses, the project aims to improve water use efficiency, soil health and economic opportunities for farmers.
Marta W. Vasconcelos: mvasconcelos@ucp.pt
CBQF-UCP Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry
IASIS is a Horizon Europe project to develop and demonstrate innovative phytomanagement solutions for contaminated and saline land with the use of industrial crops, while producing intermediate and high-value end products for the bio-based economy.
Efthymia Alexopoulou: ealex@cres.gr
CENTRE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES AND SAVING FONDATION
PHYBi is an initiative funded by the Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) that aims to combine the phytoremediation of polluted soils with the valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass to contribute to soil health and a bio-based circular textile industry.
Dr. Andrea Martos Domínguez: pHYBi@steinbeis-europa.de
IDENER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT AIE
RUNFASTER4EU is creating a sustainable and replicable bio-based value chain for large-scale cultivation of oil crops on marginal lands. The project’s aim is to transform these underutilised lands into productive sources of feedstock for bio-based industries. Through advanced biorefinery processes, the project converts vegetable oils and residual biomass into high-value bio-based products in a cascading approach. These include bio-building blocks and intermediates, cosmetic formulations, bio-stimulants, feed ingredients, herbicides, dielectric fluids, bioplastic, and NIPU for vertical gardens.
VERSALIS S.p.A.
