Executive Summary

EU funding increasingly prioritises research addressing complex agri-environmental challenges, such as soil degradation, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity, especially in the EURO-Mediterranean region, known as a climate change hotspot. However, current funding mechanisms often fail to adequately support the unique requirements of truly transdisciplinary research – a crucial approach for driving systemic transformations. This brief synthesises lessons from recent EU-funded projects, with a particular focus on the EURO-Mediterranean region. It analyses existing barriers and outlines actionable recommendations for funding frameworks, while recognising the specific resources and long-term commitment required for successful collaboration. These recommendations focus on funding framework conditions, emphasising the process quality of science-practice interfaces in transdisciplinary research projects and capacity building.