Network of National Contact Points for Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

CARE4BIO serves the needs for transnational cooperation between NCPs for Cluster 6 as well as for cross-cluster cooperation within Pillar 2, but also with other programme parts such as Widening Participation. We comprise a well-balanced network of 26 partners, including partners from the EU-13 and Associated Countries, combing all levels of relevant experience and expertise. Many of us fulfil multiple roles, for instance also working in NCP_WIDERA.NET, NCP Academy or EEN, different clusters and pillars, or appointed as programme coordinators.We are well set-up to deliver on our objectives, namely to (1) harmonise NCP services and increase their quality via transnational cooperation, (2) lower entry barriers for applicants, especially in less active member states and raise the quality of submitted proposals, (3) inform the European R&D community about cross-cutting synergies throughout Horizon Europe.To achieve this, we will cooperate with other (NCP) networks such as the ones mentioned above, to share knowledge and best practices, maximise efforts on informing NCPs, applicants and stakeholders, thereby raising the quality of proposals, breaking down silos, and encouraging trans-cluster collaboration. We will cooperate with the European Commission to assist in delivering upon political objectives such as the EU Green Deal, guiding applicants on policies, and providing feedback from our work as NCPs. We also offer concrete services for applicants, e.g., by organising yearly brokerage events to aid applicants in forming their own cooperation networks, and by supporting other matchmaking efforts.Our services will include training, learning resources, best practice manuals, policy briefings, and more. While our services will be available to whoever needs them, our focus is on NCPs and applicants from widening countries. Ultimately, our goal is to raise the general standard of support for potential applicants of Horizon Europe, contributing to increasing the quality