DIVERSIFY4Future
Framework :
HORIZON.2.6 - Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Start date:
2026-07-01
Ref :
101286791
End date:
2030-05-31
DIVERSIFY4Future advances the diversification of EU aquaculture through innovative methods for organic aquaculture, integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), aquaponic–polyculture systems, and the cultivation of low trophic species. These strategies serve a dual purpose: provide sustainable food for human consumption and supply raw materials for aquafeed production. This fosters the sustainable development of local aquaculture within the framework of the One Health paradigm, with an emphasis on zero-waste practices, minimal environmental impact, and enhanced resilience to climate change. DIVERSIFY4Future supports social acceptance, consumer preferences and job creation for novel IMTA–LTA products, supporting evidence-based policies, best aquaculture practices, ecosystem health, and sustainable aquatic biodiversity management. COISPA leads WP5 on welfare and smart technologies.
Horizon Europe, Aquaculture, Sustainability
DIVERSIFY4Future advances EU aquaculture diversification through organic aquaculture, integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA), aquaponic–polyculture systems, and cultivation of low trophic (LT) species.
DIVERSIFY4Future delivers sustainable food for human consumption, circular feed resources, and climate-resilient production within a One Health framework. Targeting six key regions (the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Delta del Ebro lagoon, Nile Delta, inland waters of Central/Western Europe, and the northeast Atlantic), 10 small - and 5 commercial -scale studies validate innovations across 13 established and emerging novel LT species, advancing zero-waste practices, welfare, and resource efficiency. An interdisciplinary approach integrates natural and social sciences with strong stakeholder engagement to ensure technological, economic, and policy impact. Both the natural sciences (genetics, nutrition, fish biology/physiology, immunology, diseases, welfare and sensor technologies) and socioeconomics (economics, policy research, marketing, sociology) feed into different WPs (1,2,3,4,5,8), extend through WP6,7 and are exploited through WP9. WPs 1–5 deliver innovations in sustainable feed, production diversification (IMTA, Organic, Aquaponics, LT) promoting health, welfare, and smart technologies. WP6 contributes Social Sciences and Humanities perspectives, providing consumer information, economic growth, job creation. It evaluates the nutritional and health benefits of the LT rabbitfish for human consumption with a human study. It explores consumer acceptance, fair pricing, and regional needs. WP7 integrates health and environmental findings, applying a One Health approach and life-cycle/Environmental Footprint methods. WPs 8–10 address regulatory frameworks, competitiveness, stakeholder engagement, and impact. Aligned with EU Strategic Guidelines (2021–2030), the project supports diversification, sustainability, and societal acceptance of European aquaculture.
