Project Information :
Project Overview
DIVERSIFY4Future is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action working to accelerate the transition towards more sustainable, circular and climate-resilient European aquaculture.
The project focuses on diversifying aquaculture through low-trophic species, organic aquaculture, integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), and aquaponic–polyculture systems. These approaches aim to make better use of nutrients and natural resources, reduce environmental impacts and support the development of sustainable and competitive “blue food” value chains.
DIVERSIFY4Future brings together 33 organisations and associations, including universities, marine research institutes, SMEs, aquaculture producers, technology providers and policy and communication experts.
By combining scientific research with real-world demonstration, socio-economic analysis, consumer engagement and market uptake activities, the project aims to translate innovative aquaculture solutions into practical opportunities for producers, SMEs, policymakers and European regions.
Our Role & Contribution
INNOVA participates in DIVERSIFY4Future as an Italian project partner, contributing its experience in European research and innovation projects and supporting the consortium in translating project knowledge and innovation into wider impact.
Working within a multidisciplinary consortium, INNOVA contributes to the broader ambition of connecting research, industry, innovation stakeholders and market perspectives to support the uptake of more sustainable aquaculture solutions.
Its participation complements the project’s strong scientific and technological expertise with an innovation-oriented perspective aimed at supporting the transition from research and demonstration towards practical application and long-term impact.
The Challenge
European aquaculture must respond simultaneously to increasing demand for nutritious food, environmental pressures, climate change, resource constraints and the need to remain economically competitive.
Conventional production systems can depend heavily on external inputs while nutrients and biological resources are not always fully recovered and reused. At the same time, promising low-trophic species and integrated production approaches still face technical, economic, regulatory and market barriers that can limit wider adoption.
DIVERSIFY4Future addresses this challenge by demonstrating how aquaculture can become more diverse, resource-efficient and circular while maintaining high standards of animal welfare, product quality and economic viability.
Consultation Process
Impact & Results
DIVERSIFY4Future aims to provide practical evidence and scalable solutions for a more competitive, sustainable and resilient European aquaculture sector.
Expected results include:
- Validated production concepts for organic and integrated aquaculture
- Demonstrators for IMTA and aquaponic–polyculture systems
- Greater integration of low-trophic species into European aquaculture
- Improved nutrient recovery and resource efficiency
- Reduced environmental impacts and strengthened climate resilience
- Improved animal welfare and product quality
- Operational guidelines and decision-support tools for producers
- Evidence supporting spatial planning, certification and policymaking
- Better understanding of consumer acceptance and nutritional benefits
- New market opportunities for farmers, SMEs and technology providers
- Support for fair and premium pricing models
- Contribution to employment and regional development in aquaculture value chains
Ultimately, DIVERSIFY4Future seeks to demonstrate that environmental sustainability, healthy food production and economic competitiveness can advance together, supporting the transition towards circular blue food systems and a stronger European Blue Economy.
