2026-05-27
A European wine innovation project has opened a funding call aimed at helping wineries and technology providers test low-input, environmentally friendly tools and methods in vineyards and cellars, with a strong emphasis on less developed regions across the continent.
The project, called LIGAWINE, launched the call on May 22 through its LinkedIn page and is being managed by Reframe Food, a Greek nonprofit that works on European funding programs. Applications will be accepted until July 31, 2026, through the European Union’s Funding and Tenders Portal and Reframe Food’s platform. The selected projects are expected to be announced in December 2026.
LIGAWINE is designed to support the wine sector’s shift toward lower chemical use, better resource efficiency, digital decision-making tools and less disruptive winemaking processes. The project says it wants to improve sustainability, climate resilience and competitiveness in European wine production by backing innovations that can be tested and adapted in real production settings.
The open call is limited to small and medium-size enterprises that are legally established either in less developed European regions or in regions represented in the project consortium. It is divided into two tracks. The first is for collaborative projects involving two small businesses, one technology provider and one end user, working together to test solutions under real production conditions. Those projects can receive up to €90,000 in total funding, with a maximum of €60,000 per partner under European Union rules.
The second track is for individual projects led by a single technology provider proposing an innovative solution. Those projects can receive up to €50,000 each. At least 70% of the budget for each track must go to small businesses based in less developed regions, a share that will be checked after evaluation and ranking.
In all, the call will support at least 15 projects under the collaborative track and nine under the individual track, for a total of €1.8 million in financial support to third parties. The funding will be performance-based and tied to key deliverables reviewed by the Open Call Advisory Committee.
LIGAWINE said it will also hold a webinar on June 15 for companies interested in applying. The project presents the call as part of a broader effort to connect wine producers and technology developers across regions with different levels of development so they can share practical solutions that can be used more widely in European vineyards and wineries.