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GUARDIANS launches Open Call #1 - Co-Creation: Innovation for Small and Medium Farms

May 22nd, 2025

The GUARDIANS project announces the launch of its first Open Call, aimed at supporting innovative partnerships between technology providers and small to medium-sized farms.

With a total budget of €729,000, this initiative will fund up to 9 consortia to co-design, develop and test accessible digital solutions addressing real challenges faced by small-scale farms.

The 15-month programme will guide participants through a structured co-creation journey, ensuring solutions are practical, impactful and tailored to actual farming needs while promoting sustainable agroecological models.

"Our goal is to bridge the technological gap between small and medium-sized farms and large food producers," states Fidel Díez, the GUARDIANS project coordinator. "This Open Call represents a unique opportunity to develop, test and replicate accessible technologies that can truly transform the management of small farms, making them more resilient and sustainable."

Consortia must be composed of two entities: a technology provider (SMEs, startups, research organisations, or universities) and a small or medium-sized farm (generally, not exceeding 200 hectares and with a standard annual output not exceeding €500,000).

Each selected consortium will receive funding of up to €81,000 (up to €60,000 for the technology provider and up to €21,000 for the farm) and will participate in a four-phase programme: co-design, development, validation, and replication.

Applications can be submitted from May 15 (at 5 pm CEST) to July 15, 2025 (deadline 5 pm CEST, Brussels time).

Eligible activities include the co-design, development and implementation of digital technological solutions that address specific challenges faced by small-scale farms. Technologies should start at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4-5 and aim to achieve TRL 7.

The evaluation process will be managed by an independent selection committee, which will assess proposals based on innovation potential, expected impact, consortium composition and financial viability of the project.

Open calls are a key mechanism to foster innovation, expand impact, replicate a successful model, and engage a diverse range of stakeholders. By opening the door to new partners and ideas, they help translate project goals into real-world solutions while strengthening collaboration across Europe.

For more information about the Open Call #1, please visit the dedicated webpage: https://guardians-project.eu/call/open-call-1-co-creation/

Contacts:

Fidel Díez—R&D Director—CTIC: fidel.diez@fundacionctic.org

Inés Dintén García—Project Manager—CTIC: ines.dinten@fundacionctic.org

Communication:

Alice De Ferrari, ICONS : alice.deferrari@icons.it

Erika Novellini, ICONS: erika.novellini@icons.it

Project website: https://guardians-project.eu/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/guardians-project/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Guardians-EU-project/61566816897243/

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Citation: GUARDIANS launches Open Call #1 - Co-Creation: Innovation for Small and Medium Farms (2025, May 22) retrieved 22 May 2025 from https://sciencex.com/wire-news/509351240/guardians-launches-open-call-1-co-creation-innovation-for-smal.html

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