Upscaling efficient alternatives for contentious inputs in organic farming – SCALE-it
Key figures
- Start date: 1 May 2025
- Duration: 48 months
- Budget: 7,3 M € (co-funded by the EU and SERI)
- Project Coordinator: FiBL EU
- Scientific Coordination: FiBL CH
- Total project partners: 36
- 65 Demo trials carried out by Local Ambassadors
- 16 countries: Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK
Project summary
The objective of SCALE-it is to increase the availability, accessibility and adoption of cost-effective alternatives to contentious inputs and thus reduce the dependency of organic farming on (a) critical plant protection products, (b) manure from conventional farms, (c) antibiotics and anthelmintics, and (d) synthetic and GMO derived vitamins.
SCALE-it follows a multi-actor approach involving partners from the whole organic value chain (farmers, farmers’ associations, advisors, veterinarians, researchers, industry, consumers). It builds on previous projects and takes forward most alternatives (products, tools, holistic methods) to TRL7-9.
SCALE-it supports companies to establish roadmaps for upscaling alternatives registration and IP protection. Farmers’ and consumers’ acceptance of alternatives is analysed. SCALE-it is well placed to moderate the development of implementable rules on the use of inputs in organic farming and provide support to policy development via national and international multi-actor activities. Targeted dissemination materials and training packages will be developed.
SCALE-it results will reduce the use of contentious inputs and increase the use of their alternatives in organic (and nonorganic) production by (a) increasing the availability and knowledge on the best use of alternatives, (b) creating decision making and (c) advisory tools and (d) showcasing the alternatives. It supports the transition to sustainable framing systems in line with the F2F strategy, promoting fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems.
WP-4
PREPARATION
RTD Trials: Develop alternatives to TRL 7
Collect Alternatives with TRL > 7
PLANNING
Setup collaboration structure
MULTI-ACTOR
Carry out commodity specific planning workshops
Decide definitively on alternatives to be tested
Harmonize Demo trials setup within input/commodity
Setup common data recording structures
TRIALS
ANALYSIS
Setup collaboration structure
COMPLETION
Carry out commodity-specific multi-actor final Workshops
Produce dissemination materials
WP-5
PREPARATION
PLANNING
MULTI-ACTOR
Carry out commodity specific planning workshops
Decide definitively on alternatives to be tested
Harmonize Demo trials setup within input/commodity
Setup common data recording structures
TRIALS
Carry out DEMO trials
Collect data on:
Efficacy
Resource efficiency,
Climate / env. impact
Host local
dissemination events
ANALYSIS
COMPLETION
Carry out commodity-specific multi-actor final Workshops
Produce dissemination materials
WP-6
PREPARATION
Define info needed for impact assessement.
Environmental Socio-economic
PLANNING
MULTI-ACTOR
Carry out commodity specific planning workshops
Decide definitively on alternatives to be tested
Harmonize Demo trials setup within input/commodity
Setup common data recording structures
TRIALS
Support Ambassadors
ANALYSIS
Impact assessment
COMPLETION
Carry out commodity-specific multi-actor final Workshops
Produce dissemination materials
WP-7
PREPARATION
Define needs for exploitation of results/policy advocacy
PLANNING
MULTI-ACTOR
Carry out commodity specific planning workshops
Decide definitively on alternatives to be tested
Harmonize Demo trials setup within input/commodity
Setup common data recording structures
TRIALS
Support Ambassadors
ANALYSIS
COMPLETION
Carry out commodity-specific multi-actor final Workshops
Produce dissemination materials
WP-8
PREPARATION
PLANNING
MULTI-ACTOR
TRIALS
Present DEMO trials and sites
Support Ambassadors
ANALYSIS
COMPLETION
“The strength of SCALE-it is the active involvement of partners of the whole organic value chain – from biocontrol manufacturers and researchers to experienced advisors and organic farmers acting as Local Ambassadors to showcase far-developed alternatives in over 60 demonstration trials throughout Europe.”
Veronika Maurer – SCALE-it Scientific Coordinator
