European Innovation Partnership Scheme

The European Innovation Partnership Scheme funds projects that allow farmers, scientists and other experts to collaborate together to develop new practices that are environmentally friendly and economically sustainable.

The ultimate aim of these innovation partnerships is to road-test new ideas and practices which can then be used more widely by farmers and others to improve productivity and enhance resource efficiency.

Open calls for proposals were made in December 2016 and August 2017. The deadline for these calls has now passed. Proposals were assessed on set criteria and projects could focus on specific areas including:

• enhancing farm viability and competitiveness of all types of agriculture in all regions and promoting innovative farm technologies and the sustainable management of forests
• promoting food chain organisation, including processing and marketing of agricultural products
• animal welfare
• risk management in agriculture
• restoring, preserving and enhancing ecosystems related to agriculture and forestry
• promoting resource efficiency and supporting the shift towards a low carbon and climate resilient economy in agriculture, food and forestry sectors
• preservation of agricultural landscapes, water quality, resources efficiency and biodiversity

Successful applicants proposed projects designed to improve efficiency and sustainability in farming such as:

• Enable Conservation Tillage (ECT)
• Maximising Organic Production Systems (MOPS)
• OviData
• Sustainable Uplands Agri-environment Scheme (SUAS)
• Danú Farming Group

A number of the schemes have a specific geographical focus such:

• The Duncannon Blue Flag Farming and Communities Scheme
• North Connemara Locally Led Agri-environmental Scheme
• Mulkear EIP
• Farming Rathcroghan Project
• Inishowen Upland Farmers Project
• Blackstairs Farming Futures
• Sustainable Agricultural Plan for the MacGillycuddy Reeks
• Allow Project - Duhallow Farming for Blue Dot Catchments
• Caomhnú Árann
• Cúlra Créafóige

Some of the projects focus on protecting wildlife and biodiversity such as:

• BRIDE - Biodiversity Regeneration in a Dairying Environment
• Locally Led Scheme for the Conservation of the Hen Harrier
• Protecting Farmland Pollinators
• Conservation of Breeding Curlew in Ireland
• Pearl Mussel Project

Other Schemes are aimed at promoting alternative fuels:

• Small Biogas Demonstration Programme
• Biorefinery Glas
• Biomass to Biochar for Farm Bioeconomy (BBFB)

Projects can get up to 100% funding. The total funding for the scheme across all projects is €59 million under the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020. The scheme is co-funded with the European Union.

Minister Heydon launches €1 million call for proposals for innovative farm health, safety and wellbeing projects

Wader Action Zone shapefiles will be made available to applicants on request to: breedingwaderseip@agriculture.gov.ie

gov.ie - Ministers Hackett and Noonan announce a €25 million call for proposals for a European Innovation Partnership on Breeding Waders (www.gov.ie)

The closing date for the Breeding Waders EIP Call was 5:00p.m on Tuesday, 30 January 2024.

Animal Health and Welfare EIP Call 2 under CSP Guidelines

Expression of Interest Forms

Gender Balance in Farming EIP Call 3 under CSP Guidelines

Gender Balance Expression of Interest Form

Minister Hackett announces calls for proposals for European Innovation Partnerships - gov - Minister Hackett announces calls for proposals for European Innovation Partnerships (www.gov.ie)

Call 1 – General & Environmental

Call 2 – Environmental

Call 3 - Agricultural Peatlands

Call 4 – Farm Health, Safety & Wellbeing

Call 5 – Farm, Community & Biodiversity