Crop-MATCHING – A thematic network to boost small-scale sustainable farming through sustainable cropping practices
EU Programme: HORIZON Europe
Reference: 101182980
Start date: 1/10/2025
End date: 30/9/2029
Crop-MATCHING is a four-year Horizon Europe Coordination and Support Action that establishes a Europe-wide thematic network to boost small-scale sustainable farming through the identification, adaptation, and diffusion of crop-matching practices. Responding to the decline of small farms and the need for greener, more resilient agricultural models, the project proposes a holistic, multi-actor and demand-driven approach that merges traditional intercropping techniques with modern data and digital solutions.
The consortium—comprising 16 partners from 13 countries—will collect, analyse, and validate over 100 best practices from 10 pedoclimatic zones, identify 30 lighthouse examples, and define 10 success stories demonstrating the economic, environmental, and social value of sustainable crop combinations. These will be synthesized into national reports, fact sheets, handbooks, and multimedia content, and made accessible through the Crop-MATCHING open-access digital cloud tool, enhanced by AI-based personalization and an interactive e-learning platform.
The project aims to empower farmers, foresters, and advisors with easy-to-use training materials and decision-support tools, strengthen knowledge transfer through thematic networks and cross-fertilization events, and foster new market opportunities via labelling and social-norm campaigns (“Do-it-like-organic”). By integrating socioeconomic analysis, participatory governance, and innovative communication, Crop-MATCHING supports the EU Green Deal, Farm-to-Fork, Climate Policy, and Rural Vision—ultimately promoting a self-sustaining “automotive” regeneration of rural communities grounded in sustainable farming practices.
- Multi-actor exchange and networking: Partners will hold meetings at regional, national, and European levels to identify key actors in crop matching practices across 10 target countries, fostering participatory learning and the exchange of practical ideas.
- Synthesis of research and practice: Partners will review and adapt underutilized knowledge and best practices from 10 countries, avoiding overlap with existing projects. Each will produce a national report summarising relevant research, initiatives, and best practices.
- Lighthouse practices and success stories: Local expert groups will analyse 100 best-practice reports to identify 30 high-potential lighthouse examples (minimum three per country). Ten success stories will then be validated, analysed, and promoted via the digital cloud tool and social campaign.
- Smallholder farmers’ and foresters’ training needs: Partners will identify key knowledge gaps through surveys to adapt information for end users. Tailored e-learning and educational materials will target farmers’ and foresters’ specific needs.
- Socioeconomic analysis of success stories: Selected lighthouse practices will be evaluated to extract key lessons and produce accessible materials—handbooks, videos, and policy briefs—for broad dissemination.
- Information and training packages: Five targeted info-packages will be produced for farmers, advisors, food companies, consumers, and public authorities.
- Open access digital cloud solution: The curriculum will be transformed into an interactive e-learning platform using ICT tools, AI, and machine learning to complement in-person training.
- Accessible success stories: National teams will compile over 100 examples through case studies, films, and podcasts promoting sustainable crop matching.
- Communication of success stories: Success stories will be showcased through cross-fertilisation events and social campaigns, supported by crop-matching labelling initiatives.
- Long-term sustainability: Capacity building, communication, and policy actions will secure long-term impact and strengthen advisory services.
- Project management: The consortium will be managed effectively, fostering synergies, reducing risks, and ensuring transparent coordination and reporting.
- Establish networks of farmers, advisors, researchers, and policymakers to identify key actors and foster collaboration across Europe.
– Collect and analyse best crop-matching practices from previous EU projects, literature, and national initiatives.
– Identify and document the most effective and replicable crop-matching practices across different pedoclimatic zones.
– Validate lighthouse practices with stakeholders and define success stories illustrating sustainable and profitable models. - T2.1 Identify knowledge and training gaps to guide the design of tailored learning tools.
– Examine policy frameworks and governance structures to align project outputs with EU and national priorities. - T3.1 Evaluate the socioeconomic and environmental impacts of selected practices.
– Develop targeted info-packs for key stakeholder groups, including farmers, advisors, food companies, consumers, and public authorities.
– Produce digital learning materials, courses, and interactive content to support capacity building. - T4.1 Build an open-access platform hosting project resources, tools, and training materials.
– Create interactive online training based on project results. - T5.1 Integrate AI and machine learning to tailor e-learning content and user experiences.
– Refine and finalise the digital course based on feedback and personalised mechanisms. - T6.1 Publish and visualise best practices through a structured database, fact sheets, and multimedia tools.
– Organise knowledge exchange and peer-learning activities among European regions. - T7.1 Develop multimedia case studies, short films, and podcasts to showcase best practices.
– Strengthen transnational learning and cooperation through follow-up exchanges.
– Launch a communication campaign promoting sustainable crop-matching practices and labelling initiatives. - T8.1 Implement strategic outreach actions, including a website, newsletters, and communication materials.
- T9.1 Build synergies with EU initiatives, operational groups, and thematic networks to ensure wide dissemination.
- T10.1 Ensure long-term use and visibility of project results through workshops, conferences, and open-access materials.
- T11.1 Guarantee compliance with ethical standards and data protection regulations.
– Manage coordination and communication within the consortium.
– Monitor project implementation and address potential risks.
– Prepare interim and periodic reports for the first reporting period.
– Ensure FAIR data principles and proper handling of project information.
– Promote innovative approaches and continuous improvement in project execution. - Coordination, reporting, quality control, data management, and innovation monitoring during the second and third periods.
The Crop-MATCHING consortium brings together a strong combination of human, technical and institutional resources, ensuring the effective implementation of all planned activities. Sixteen partners from thirteen European and associated countries contribute complementary expertise in agronomy, socio-economics, ICT technologies, training and communication.
The project benefits from the contribution of five leading universities (AUTH, UNIPR, UON, EGE, AUP) and three research centres (NIBIO, CIHEAM/MAICH, CENCIRA), which provide scientific and analytical capacity. At the same time, specialised companies and social innovation actors (BIOAZUL, PRISM, F4S, PFATC, NWARE, A-CERT, S&C, UCF) contribute advanced skills in digital solutions, outreach and certification.
Each partner brings qualified personnel, well-established infrastructures and extensive networks of farmers, advisors and policy stakeholders. The consortium also has access to digital learning environments, laboratories, advisory platforms and AI-based technologies for data processing and personalised training pathways.
Robust financial and administrative management systems ensure transparent coordination, supported by dedicated project management and quality-control mechanisms. Altogether, these resources guarantee the technical reliability, operational efficiency and long-term sustainability of the Crop-MATCHING initiative.
Results
- Identification of the most effective crop-matching systems in each European, assessed for suitability, productivity, and income generation.
- Mapping and enhanced understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of each success story.
- Development of a digital cloud tool with personalized mechanisms and an open-access database to support the adoption and diffusion of successful crop-matching practices.
- Analysis of farmers’ training needs and perceptions, providing feedback to farmers, advisors, and policymakers to adjust production models.
- Establishment of procedures for certification and labelling of crop-matching practices.
- Production of outputs such as handbooks of success stories, information packages, e-learning materials, policy briefs, fact sheets.
- Delivery of policy recommendations under various plausible scenarios to inform regional, national, and EU-level decision-making.
- Generation of new scientific knowledge, including the training of three PhD students and/or postdoctoral researchers.
Co-experts
The co-experts represent the broader knowledge community that collaborates with the consortium to ensure that project outcomes are grounded in real-life agricultural experience and multi-actor learning. They include:
- Farmers and foresters: Main field experts providing hands-on insights, testing practices, and validating results.
- Agricultural advisors: Bridge research and practice, supporting knowledge transfer and farmer training.
- Champion farmers: Demonstrate lighthouse practices on model farms, inspiring replication.
- Local experts and researchers: Offer technical guidance and ensure data accuracy and quality.
- PhD students and young researchers: Contribute to analysis, learning, and long-term knowledge generation.
- Policy officers: Link project findings with regional and EU policies for sustainable uptake.
- Consumers and civil society: Engage through awareness and labelling actions, reinforcing the fork-to-farm approach.
Partnership
UCF – Enosi Kyprion Agroton (EKA) (Cyprus)
Keywords
Crop matching, Sustainable farming, Smallholder farmers, Agroecology, Rural development, Green Deal, Knowledge transfer, Multi-actor approach, Best practices, Digital innovation, E-learning platform, Policy recommendations.
Website
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union. The European Union cannot be held responsible for them.