BioAgora is featured in the Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programme: Here's how to engage

The Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programme for Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment has officially been released, marking a major step forward in the EU’s efforts to address biodiversity loss, climate change, sustainable food systems and circular bioeconomy innovation.

Among the standout features of this year’s Call for new projects under the Work Programme is the explicit inclusion of BioAgora, the flagship EU project co-developing the Science Service for Biodiversity (SSBD), as a point of engagement for biodiversity-related proposals.

What’s new in the 2025 Cluster 6 Work Programme?

Cluster 6 will drive research and innovation that:

• tackles the key drivers of biodiversity loss;

• develops biodiversity-friendly practices in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture;

• strengthens the transition to a sustainable circular and bioeconomy;

• supports water resilience and ocean sustainability in line with the European Water Resilience Strategy, the EU Bioeconomy Strategy and the Nature Restoration Regulation.

In the context of the funding call, BioAgora is highlighted as a key mechanism for ensuring science-based policy-making, contributing directly to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.

What Is BioAgora and the Science Service for Biodiversity?

BioAgora is an EU-funded coordination and support project, mandated by the European Commission to co-create the Science Service for Biodiversity (SSBD) by the end of 2026.

The Science Service will be the scientific pillar of the EU Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) - a central knowledge hub for biodiversity-related policy-making. It is designed to connect researchers, experts, practitioners and citizen science professionals with EU institutions through structured knowledge-sharing mechanisms.

By the end of 2026, BioAgora will have:

• piloted and tested key SSBD functions, such as answering EC policy requests and facilitating capacity building;

• established governance and ethical structures;

• developed a sustainability-focused business plan;

• launched an accessible digital platform for all stakeholders to participate in and benefit from the Science Service.

How to engage with BioAgora: Your pathways

Whether you are submitting a Horizon Europe proposal or part of an ongoing project, you are encouraged to engage with BioAgora and the SSBD in the following ways:

1. Contribute to knowledge requests

Respond to specific knowledge requests identified by the European Commission. BioAgora mobilises experts to co-create targeted responses, such as the ongoing work on Urban Greening Tools supporting the Nature Restoration Regulation.

2. Participate in events and potentially co-organise events with BioAgora

Join events and sessions organised by BioAgora and participate in the dialogue on relevant topics as part of your efforts to ensure your research aligns with legislative and strategic processes.

3. Join a Knowledge Exchange Network

Seven topical Knowledge Exchange Networks are already active under BioAgora, addressing priority biodiversity topics. They act as knowledge hubs that feed into policy processes - and more are on the way.

4. Engage with the broader BioAgora community

Take part in events and workshops, or join the Biodiversity Knowledge Agora - a broader network of experts underpinning the SSBD.

5. Share your expertise and collaborate

If your project aims for strong policy impact, reach out to co-organise joint communication actions or events with BioAgora. You can also join the BioAgora Communications Hub, a space for aligning outreach strategies across biodiversity-focused initiatives.

Why This Matters

There is a growing urgency for knowledge-driven biodiversity policy-making. The Horizon Europe 2025 Work Programme places BioAgora at the centre of this shift, creating a direct route for your research to impact EU policy.

This is not just an opportunity - it’s a responsibility for all biodiversity-related consortia to engage meaningfully, plan for policy impact and help shape a more sustainable future for Europe.

Start engaging today! Visit bioagora.eu or contact us at contact@bioagora.eu. Follow BioAgora on LinkedIn and Bluesky and make sure you don’t miss out any updates.

Be part of the transformation. Join BioAgora efforts to support the EU biodiversity science-policy interface and help shape biodiversity policy in the EU.