Partner Projects

FORSAID is a HEU project dedicated to introducing a new technology-driven standard for the management of forest pests and pathogens. Launched in September 2024, it brings together 17 institutions from 10 European countries for an implementation period of 4 years. Throughout that time, the initiative will research, develop and test digital solutions targeting 6 insect, 3 fungi and 1 nematode species regulated by the EU. This endeavour will be guided by three primary aims: enhancing remote sensing, improving automated ground detection and harnessing citizen science. Ultimately, they are meant to be the pillars of a comprehensive strategy for innovating the early detection of biotic stressors in forests, one that is grounded in environmental and economic realities. More details can be found on the project's website - www.forsaid.eu

The HEU project PurPest (January 2023 to December 2026), with a budget of €6.472 million, aims to develop a new sensor platform to rapidly detect and stop five different pests during import of plant material. It is envisioned that this concept can alco be used in pest detection in the field to reduce pesticide use directly. Preventing the incursion of quarantine pests into the EU, by detection of the pest during import is expected to facilitate inspection and protect natural and agricultural plant ecosystems.  The sensor concept is based on detection of pest-specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by host plants invaded by one or several pests. PurPest will determine the VOC signature of different host plants attacked by Phytophthora ramorum, Spodoptera frugiperda (Fall Armyworm), Helicoverpa armigera (Cotton Bollworm), Halyomorpha halys (Brown Marmorated Stinkbug) and Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Pinewood Nematode). Coordinated by the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), this project is an international collaboration among 18 institutions from 11 European countries.

For more detailed information, please visit the PurPest project website: www.purpest.eu

Launched in May 2025 with 11 partners from 7 European countries and Brazil, the Horizon Europe-funded CitrusBusters is a four-year Research and Innovation Action aimed at protecting citrus production through sustainable, smart, and bio-based pest management solutions. It targets three citrus pests: Candidatus Liberibacter (CL), its associated insect vector Trioza erytreae (T. erytreae), and Phyllosticta citricarpa (PC), all considered priority threats under quarantine in the EU. CitrusBusters will expand the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) toolbox for citrus growers across Europe. With a prevention-first approach, the project pursues three core objectives: enabling early outbreak detection through hyperspectral and LiDAR imaging technologies and predictive models; enhancing citrus plant resilience via DNA-free innovations and active molecule extraction to trigger plant immune responses; and delivering safe, effective biocontrol formulations to reduce reliance on conventional pesticides and support healthier, more resilient crops.

GRAPEBREED4IPM is a European research and innovation project focused on developing grapevine varieties better suited to sustainable viticulture. Its main objective is to accelerate the breeding and deployment of new grapevine cultivars that combine high wine quality with durable resistance to key pests and diseases, thereby supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies.

The project brings together breeders, researchers, nurseries, and industry stakeholders to integrate advanced breeding techniques, genomic tools, and field validation across different European environments. A key aspect is the identification and pyramiding of resistance traits against major fungal diseases such as downy and powdery mildew, reducing reliance on chemical plant protection products.

GRAPEBREED4IPM also emphasizes the evaluation of agronomic performance, wine quality, and market acceptance of new varieties, ensuring they meet both producer and consumer expectations. In parallel, it works on harmonizing testing protocols and regulatory frameworks to facilitate faster approval and uptake of improved cultivars across Europe.

By linking innovation in plant breeding with sustainability goals, the project contributes to the transition toward more resilient, environmentally friendly viticulture systems aligned with EU Green Deal priorities.

NextGenBioPest is a Horizon EU project that meets the challenge of increasing crop yields, while reducing the use of chemical pesticides by delivering novel and improved products, methods, and practices for the rational control of the most difficult-to-manage arthropod pests and pathogens, with substantially reduced pesticide use. The project will provide a new toolkit for plant protection in key vegetable and fruit crops including diagnostics for pest and pathogen identification and incrimination, novel Biological Control Agents and methods to augment their performance in the field, RNA-based pesticides, Low Risk/Green chemicals, plant resistance inducers and innovative agronomic and ecological practices. These innovations will be integrated with existing approaches, to achieve effective, environment friendly and sustainable crop protection.