Description

TOPIC: 1.1.1-2026 (IA): Decentralised Brackish Water Desalination for Climate-Resilient and Resource-Efficient Mediterranean Agriculture

TYPE OF ACTION: (IA) Innovation action

TOTAL INDICATIVE AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THIS CALL: EUR 10.815 million

Expected Outcomes

Projects are expected to contribute to improving water resilience and agricultural sustainability in the Mediterranean, in line with the European Water Resilience Strategy, the European Green Deal, and circular economy objectives.

Key expected outcomes include:

• Improved access to sustainable irrigation water for smallholder and peri-urban farmers through decentralised, renewable-energy-powered desalination systems
• Demonstration of scalable, low-energy desalination solutions adapted to rural and peri-urban agricultural contexts, including circular brine management approaches
• Contribution to a climate-neutral, circular, and resource-efficient agricultural system through recovery and reuse of by-products (e.g., nutrients and minerals)
• Evidence-based policy support for non-conventional water use and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), in collaboration with public authorities and regional platforms
• Clear market uptake pathways, including validated business models, cost-performance benchmarks, and engagement with SMEs, technology providers, and financial actors

Scope

Water scarcity in the Mediterranean remains a critical challenge, with agriculture accounting for a major share of freshwater withdrawals (64–79% in southern and eastern regions). Brackish water desalination is seen as a promising solution but faces barriers related to cost, energy use, brine disposal, and limited integration of renewable energy and digital optimisation tools.

This call supports the development of:

• Cost-effective and environmentally sustainable brackish water desalination systems for agricultural use
• Solutions co-designed with farmers and adapted to local agro-ecological and socio-economic conditions
• Integration of digital tools (e.g., IoT, Digital Twins, AI) where relevant to improve efficiency and reduce costs

All projects must comply with the Do No Significant Harm (DNSH) principle and ensure protection of freshwater and marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and circular resource use, applying the “water efficiency first” principle.

Key Requirements and Activities

Projects must address at least three of the following:

• Development and pilot testing of decentralised, low-cost desalination systems for agricultural reuse
• Validation of renewable-energy-powered desalination units across different agro-ecological contexts, ensuring seasonal adaptability and energy efficiency
• Lifecycle assessments covering environmental, economic, and social impacts (including carbon footprint, soil health, cost-benefit analysis, and WEFE Nexus indicators)
• Development of guidelines and toolkits for scalable implementation of agricultural desalination solutions

Additional requirements:

• Demonstration of economic and financial viability, including affordability for smallholder and peri-urban farmers
• Clear scalability and replication strategy across Mediterranean contexts
• Engagement with SMEs and market actors to support uptake and post-project continuity
• Environmental impact assessment with attention to brine management and ecosystem protection
• Inclusion of KPIs related to energy use, operational costs, brine management, and farm-level adoption

Methodological Approach

Projects should adopt:

• Multi-Actor Approach (MAA): involving farmers, SMEs, researchers, public authorities, and other stakeholders across the full project lifecycle
• Living Labs (encouraged): for co-design, testing, and iterative adaptation in real-world conditions
• Strong integration of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH), including socio-economic analysis, behavioural change, and governance aspects
• Application of the Societal Readiness Thinking Tool to ensure responsible innovation and societal relevance

Call Documents

• Annual Work Programme 2026
• Guidelines for Applicants (Section 1)
• KPI Handbook
• Electronic Submission System Handbook
• Pre-proposal Templates (RIA & IA Stage 1 Part I & II)
• Full Call Text