WP leader: Milena Micevski (CBS), mmic.marktg@cbs.dk

Objectives:

WP1 ensures the effective coordination, administration, governance, and compliance of the project throughout its lifetime. The work package establishes robust management procedures, monitors progress against objectives and milestones, ensures compliance with ethical and gender-related requirements, maintains high standards of data management, and supports the identification, protection, and exploitation of project innovations and intellectual property.

Overview:

WP1 provides the overall management framework for the project. The Coordinator establishes governance structures, communication channels, reporting procedures, and decision-making processes through the development and maintenance of a comprehensive Project Manual (Task 1.1). Financial administration and contractual obligations are monitored and managed to ensure compliance with the Grant Agreement and the efficient use of project resources (Task 1.2).

The consortium actively monitors and promotes gender equality and inclusiveness across all project activities through the implementation of a Gender Action Plan (Task 1.3). Data generated during the project are managed according to FAIR principles through the preparation and regular updating of a Data Management Plan (Task 1.4). Ethical compliance is ensured through the development and implementation of an Ethical Management Plan, which provides procedures for monitoring and addressing ethical issues arising during project execution (Task 1.5).

To maximise project impact, innovation management activities identify exploitable results, support intellectual property protection, and develop pathways for the exploitation and uptake of project outcomes (Task 1.6). WP1 also organises and facilitates the project Kick-off Meeting and subsequent Project Coordination Meetings, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among consortium partners (Task 1.7).

WP leader: Belen Gallego Elvira (UPCT), belen.gallego@upct.es

Objectives:

WP2 develops the conceptual frameworks, assessment methodologies, indicators, and decision-support tools required to evaluate and support the transition towards more sustainable horticultural production systems. The work package benchmarks novel products and processes against existing production systems, assesses their economic, social, and environmental performance, and provides practical tools to support evidence-based decision-making by growers and other stakeholders.

Overview:

WP2 establishes a comprehensive framework for assessing the sustainability of innovative horticultural products, technologies, and production practices. A conceptual framework is developed to characterise and benchmark novel production systems against existing reference systems, enabling a systematic evaluation of their performance across multiple sustainability dimensions (Task 2.1).

Building upon this framework, assessment methodologies and indicators are refined and adapted to evaluate the economic viability, environmental impacts, and social implications of novel products and processes. These methodologies integrate sustainability assessment approaches, including life cycle assessment and sustainability indicators, to provide robust and harmonised evaluation tools (Task 2.2).

WP2 also develops practical decision-support tools that enable professional growers to identify, compare, and adopt more sustainable production practices. These tools support informed decision-making related to resource use, substrate selection, fertigation strategies, and the implementation of innovative technologies and processes within horticultural systems (Task 2.3).

The outputs generated within WP2 provide a common methodological foundation for project pilot activities and contribute to the evaluation, optimisation, and uptake of innovative solutions throughout the project.

WP leader: Signe Værbak (AU), signe.vaerbak@food.au.dk

Objectives:

WP3 accelerates the development, optimisation, validation, and commercial readiness of sustainable alternatives to peat for horticultural production. The work package establishes the regulatory, technical, and agronomic foundations required to support the adoption of innovative growing media solutions based on wood fibre and complementary biomass resources. It supports the identification of suitable feedstocks, develops novel substrate formulations and cultivation practices, and validates their performance through large-scale commercial trials.

Overview:

WP3 acts as the innovation accelerator within the project, transforming promising biomass resources and novel substrate technologies into commercially viable peat alternatives. The work package combines regulatory assessment, material characterisation, formulation development, cultivation optimisation, and large-scale validation to support the transition towards more sustainable growing media systems.

The work begins with a detailed assessment of existing and emerging regulatory frameworks governing innovative growing media constituents and blends. This activity identifies regulatory opportunities and barriers and provides guidance to facilitate future market uptake and commercialisation (Task 3.1).

To support the development of high-performance peat alternatives, the physical, chemical, and biological properties of a broad range of biomass feedstocks are characterised and documented. These data are used to develop a predictive mixing model that identifies optimal biomass combinations capable of complementing wood fibre for different crop species and cultivation systems (Task 3.2).

WP3 further develops cultivation and management practices tailored to peat-free production systems. Particular emphasis is placed on optimising fertigation strategies, irrigation management, nutrient availability, and pH control to ensure that novel substrates deliver consistent crop performance while reducing environmental impacts (Task 3.3).

The resulting growing media blends are validated through large-scale commercial trials that compare their technical, economic, and environmental performance against conventional peat-based systems. These trials generate the evidence required to demonstrate the reliability, scalability, and sustainability of the developed alternatives under real production conditions (Task 3.4).

In parallel, advanced activated carbon technologies, including graphene-based and non-graphene materials, are investigated to improve nutrient retention, water-use efficiency, and substrate functionality. Predictive models and adsorption studies support the integration of these materials into next-generation growing media formulations.

Through these activities, WP3 accelerates the progression of sustainable peat alternatives from innovation to practical implementation, supporting both environmental objectives and commercial adoption across the horticultural sector.

WP Leader: Elke Vandaele (VLACO VZW), Elke.Vandaele@vlaco.be

Objectives:

WP4 develops and validates innovative solutions that reduce the use of water, mineral fertilisers, and pesticides in horticultural production systems. The work package focuses on improving resource-use efficiency through optimised irrigation and fertigation strategies, the development of organic-based fertiliser products, and the application of oxygen nanobubble technologies to enhance plant health, soil health, and crop protection. Through pilot-scale demonstrations, WP4 provides practical solutions that contribute to more sustainable and resilient horticultural production systems.

Overview:

WP4 addresses key sustainability challenges associated with resource consumption and crop management in horticultural production. The work package develops innovative approaches that reduce dependency on finite resources and external inputs while maintaining crop productivity and quality.

The first area of activity focuses on reducing water consumption through the optimisation of irrigation and fertigation practices in both covered and open-field production systems. Advanced monitoring approaches, improved scheduling methods, and data-driven management strategies are developed and validated to increase water-use efficiency and minimise resource losses (Task 4.1).

WP4 also develops and evaluates innovative organic-based fertiliser products capable of partially or fully replacing conventional mineral fertilisers. These products support nutrient recycling, improve nutrient-use efficiency, and contribute to circular economy objectives within horticultural production systems. Associated monitoring tools, including in planta nutrient sensing technologies, are investigated to support precision nutrient management (Task 4.2).

A further innovation area explores the use of oxygen nanobubble technologies to improve crop health and reduce pesticide dependency. The work investigates the effects of nanobubbles on soilborne pathogens, plant performance, root development, and soil microbial activity. These technologies have the potential to provide sustainable alternatives to conventional crop protection approaches while enhancing overall system resilience (Task 4.3).

The innovations developed within WP4 are validated through pilot studies that generate baseline data, assess technical and environmental performance, and demonstrate their practical applicability under commercial horticultural production conditions.

WP Leader: Steve Quarrie (EUTA), steve.quarrie@gmail.com

Objectives:

WP5 accelerates the development, validation, and commercialisation of innovative solutions that improve soil structure, mitigate soil compaction, and enhance soil functionality within horticultural production systems. The work package develops biological, mechanical, microbial, and technological innovations that improve soil health, increase carbon sequestration, enhance root development, and support sustainable crop production. Through laboratory, greenhouse, and field-scale validation activities, WP5 generates practical solutions that strengthen the resilience and sustainability of horticultural soils.

Overview:

WP5 addresses one of the major constraints affecting horticultural productivity and sustainability: soil degradation resulting from compaction, poor soil structure, and declining soil biological activity. The work package focuses on accelerating innovative solutions capable of restoring soil functionality while improving environmental performance and long-term productivity.

The first area of activity develops biological and mechanical approaches to prevent soil compaction and restore degraded soils. These solutions include the evaluation of cover crops, biological soil improvement strategies, and innovative cultivation techniques that enhance soil structure, improve rooting conditions, and reduce the adverse effects of soil compaction in horticultural systems (Task 5.1).

WP5 also develops and evaluates novel organic, microbial, and chemical products designed to improve soil aggregation, increase organic matter content, stimulate beneficial microbial activity, and enhance carbon sequestration. These innovations contribute to improved soil quality while supporting climate mitigation objectives through increased carbon storage (Task 5.2).

A further innovation stream focuses on improving oxygen availability within soils through advanced oxygenated irrigation technologies. The work investigates the use of oxygen-enriched water and nanobubble-based irrigation systems to improve root-zone aeration, stimulate beneficial soil processes, enhance nutrient availability, and improve crop performance under a range of production conditions (Task 5.3).

The innovations developed within WP5 are validated through greenhouse and field trials, providing evidence of their technical effectiveness, agronomic benefits, environmental performance, and commercial potential. The resulting knowledge and technologies contribute directly to the development of more resilient and sustainable horticultural production systems.

WP leader: Matthew Gorton (UNEW), matthew.gorton@newcastle.ac.uk

Objectives:

WP6 accelerates the adoption of sustainable alternatives to peat by addressing behavioural, market, and policy barriers to change. The work package develops evidence-based approaches that support behavioural change among professional growers, amateur gardeners, and consumers, while also strengthening market incentives and policy frameworks that encourage the uptake of sustainable growing media. Through action-learning pilot sites, stakeholder engagement, and policy development activities, WP6 creates the conditions necessary for large-scale adoption of sustainable horticultural practices and products.

Overview:

WP6 recognises that the successful transition towards sustainable alternatives to peat requires not only technological innovation but also changes in behaviour, purchasing decisions, market structures, and policy environments. The work package therefore focuses on understanding and overcoming the social, economic, and institutional barriers that limit adoption.

The work begins with a comprehensive review of behavioural change models, previous experiences, and stakeholder perspectives relevant to the adoption of sustainable growing media. This activity identifies key drivers, barriers, motivations, and decision-making processes that influence the behaviour of growers, retailers, consumers, and other actors across the horticultural value chain (Task 6.1).

Building on these insights, WP6 establishes action-learning pilot sites with professional growers and separately with amateur gardeners and small-scale growers. These pilot activities create opportunities to test behavioural interventions, evaluate adoption pathways, and identify practical measures that facilitate the transition to sustainable growing media and production practices under real-world conditions (Tasks 6.2 and 6.3).

The work package also develops strategies to improve the market uptake of sustainable growing media through enhanced labelling systems, communication approaches, and point-of-sale materials. These activities aim to provide clearer information to growers and consumers, increase confidence in sustainable alternatives, and support informed purchasing decisions (Task 6.4).

Finally, WP6 examines policy measures, incentives, and regulatory mechanisms capable of accelerating the transition away from peat-based growing media. Evidence generated through the project informs policy recommendations and stakeholder dialogue activities, culminating in a Policy Summit that brings together key actors from industry, research, and government to support future implementation (Task 6.5).

Through these activities, WP6 contributes to lasting behavioural, market, and policy change that supports the widespread adoption of sustainable alternatives to peat across Europe.

WP leader: Richard Freeman (AEIDL), richard.frerman@aeidl.eu

Objectives:

WP7 ensures that the knowledge, innovations, and impacts generated by Hort2thefuture are effectively communicated, disseminated, exploited, and transferred to relevant stakeholder groups throughout the project and beyond. The work package develops targeted communication and engagement activities that maximise awareness, facilitate knowledge exchange, support behavioural change, and accelerate the uptake of project results by growers, industry, policymakers, researchers, educators, and citizens. Through a combination of digital tools, educational resources, training activities, demonstration events, and stakeholder engagement mechanisms, WP7 supports the long-term impact and legacy of the project.

Overview:

WP7 delivers the project’s communication, dissemination, exploitation, and stakeholder engagement activities. The work package establishes the structures, tools, and processes required to ensure that project results reach the audiences most capable of implementing and benefiting from them.

The work begins with the development and implementation of a Communication, Dissemination, Exploitation and Stakeholder Engagement (CDESE) Plan that defines target audiences, key messages, communication channels, engagement approaches, and exploitation pathways for project outputs and innovations (Task 7.1).

To support project visibility and knowledge exchange, WP7 develops the Hort2thefuture visual identity, communication templates, website, and online knowledge exchange platform. These resources provide a central hub for project information, results, training materials, and stakeholder interaction (Task 7.2).

A comprehensive communication programme ensures regular dissemination of project progress and achievements to stakeholder audiences through digital media, publications, newsletters, podcasts, events, and targeted outreach activities (Task 7.3). Stakeholder engagement is further strengthened through the establishment of a Stakeholder Advisory Board (SAB) and collaboration with relevant networks, initiatives, and related projects operating at national and European levels (Task 7.4).

WP7 also develops tailored educational and training resources for different user groups. Educational materials support schools and students (Task 7.5), while training videos and guidance materials assist professional growers and advisors in adopting innovative and sustainable horticultural practices (Task 7.6). Additional training resources are developed for amateur gardeners and hobby growers to support wider societal uptake of project outcomes (Task 7.7).

To encourage practical knowledge exchange and demonstration of project innovations, WP7 organises open facility demonstration days that enable stakeholders to observe technologies, practices, and results under operational conditions (Task 7.8). Finally, the work package supports effective communication with the scientific community through publications, conference participation, and academic networking activities, ensuring that project findings contribute to the wider research landscape (Task 7.9).

Through these activities, WP7 maximises the visibility, uptake, exploitation, and long-term impact of Hort2thefuture results across Europe and beyond.