EUROPEAN COMPOST NETWORK
ECN e.V.

Network for Organic Resources and Biological Treatment

ECN E-BULLETIN No. 2_2026

17 February 2026

Next EU budget for 2028-2034

Publication of a Briefing on the impacts of the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework

The ENVI Committee of the European Parliament requested a mapping of the Commission proposals concerning the 2028 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). This Briefing analyses how the proposed MFF would provide funding for climate and environment objectives. Key findings are that it does not include programme or instrument solely dedicated to climate or environmental financing but introduces a binding, horizontal ‘do no significant harm’ principle and a 35% spending target for climate and environment. In addition, the funding will go through two main programmes, the National and Regional Partnership Fund and the European Competitiveness Fund. Minimum spending for environment and EU-funded eco-schemes under the common agricultural policy would be replaced by Member State-led voluntary agri-environmental and climate actions.
The proposals are currently debated at the Parliament and the Council.

European Parliament

New chair appointed to the ENVI Committee

The Italian MEP Pierfrancesco Maran (S&D) has taken over as chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment. He succeeds his compatriot Antonio Decaro (S&D) who has ended his term as an MEP to return to regional duties in Italy.

Interreg Europe CORE I Closing the loop

Pilot Action Turning Digestate into High Quality Compost

The Autonomous Province of Bolzano's pilot project is entering its second stage. The first stage of the project focuses on finding ways to turn the semi-liquid digestate from the Lana biogas plant into valuable, high-quality compost products. This compost can be used as a soil improver and organic fertiliser for various agricultural and landscaping applications within the Autonomous Province of Bolzano.
The first phase of post-composting of digestate mixed with green waste has been successfully completed. On 2 February, the six compost piles of co-composted digestate (from the Lana biogas plant) and structuring material were screened. Over 12 weeks, the solids, interstitial gases and emissions were monitored. The final samples are now in the laboratory and the results will be discussed with project partners at BOKU Vienna, Vlaco and ECN next month. In the second trial additional waste streams from the local fruit and beverage industries will be used together with the digestate for post-composting.
Further information is available here.

European Environment Agency | Biomass potentials

New report highlights untapped circularity of bio-based waste

A new report by the EEA examines the potential to enhance the circularity of bio-based waste across Europe. Drawing in part on data from the ECN’s Status Report 2022, the analysis estimates that 58 to 68 million tonnes of food, garden and vegetal waste are currently not recycled. This represents around 53% of total generation in Europe, highlighting a substantial untapped resource for biological treatment.
The figure below presents the estimated potentials across the different waste streams assessed.

Report link: Assessing the potential to enhance the circularity of bio-based waste (December 2025)

Source: EEA 2025

Compost Council of Canada | The Case AGAINST a Home Compostable Certification Program

The Council argues why home-compostable certification is inappropriate for Canada

Key arguments of the position paper:

Absence of a Canadian standard for backyard compostable claims
Risk to finished compost quality and system confidence
Ever-declining, ongoing participation in home-composting across Canada

The Council’s position is partly based on a resident survey.

FertiCovery project | General assembly in Cartagena, 20-21 January 2026

Project updates, Joint meeting with Sister project Fertitec and site visits

The bi-annual project meeting served to update partners on activities within the different work packages: Stakeholder engagement activities, identification of best available techniques for bio-based fertiliser production, regulatory framework, market and replication potential.

The consortiums next big step will be a comprehensive analysis of 25 nutrient recovery and bio-based fertiliser technologies, alongside an online catalogue showcasing these solutions.

Joint Research Centre | Technical proposal on EU harmonised waste sorting labels

Specifications on Compostable Materials with reference to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation

The proposal builds on behavioural and participatory design research and aims to harmonise the visual appearance and system logic of consumer-facing sorting labels, applicable both on packaging and on waste receptacles across the EU.

Pages 146 – 155 focus specifically on compostable materials, setting out proposed label specifications (see figure below) and sorting instructions. The section clarifies how compostable packaging should be visually distinguished within the harmonised labelling system and how it links to existing bio-waste collection practices.

Report link: JRC technical proposal on EU harmonised waste sorting labels under the PPWR (2026)

Source: JRC 2026

European Commission Consultation I Deadline: 19 February 2026

Draft certification methodology for carbon farming under the CRCF

The Commission has released its new draft certification methodology for carbon farming under the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming Regulation. A consultation on this draft is open until 19 February.
The aim of the draft is to define the criteria used to certify carbon farming activities. It includes as an eligible carbon farming activity the use of organic soil improvers and organic fertilisers.
In addition, the Commission organised a meeting of the Expert Group on Carbon Removals on 5 February to present the new draft and hear comments from the Expert Group members. The meeting was web streamed and is accessible here.

Announcements

HORIZON CALL

Funding Opportunities 2026

The EU CAP Network has published a brochure detailing funding opportunities for 2026. It covers topics such as sustainable agricultural practices, healthy soils and the circular bioeconomy. Please access the brochure here.

Mission Soil calls now open: Funding research and innovation for healthy soils

On 12 February, the Horizon Europe Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” opened new calls to support research and innovation for healthy soils, including Living Labs and AI-ready decision-support tools. First deadlines for two-stage calls are in April. Explore opportunities on the Mission Soil Platform and don’t forget to check the EU CAP Network brochure on funding opportunities (p.14) for calls relevant to farmers and foresters.

Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and environment

Cluster 6 provides research &innovation opportunities to strengthen and balance environmental, social and economic goals for sustainability. It supports transformative change of society and the economy to reduce environmental degradation, reverse the decline of biodiversity, better manage natural resources, and meet the EU’s climate objectives. This happens while ensuring food and water security, fostering sustainable prosperity and competitiveness across the EU, and responding to an evolving geopolitical context. This cluster includes the following topics:

First Ten Years of the International 4 per 1000 Initiative

Soil Carbon Sequestration for Climate and Food Security

The International 4 per 1000 Initiative marks its ten-year anniversary with a new report reviewing progress since its launch at COP21 in 2015. The publication highlights advances in soil carbon sequestration, sustainable land management practices, and contributions to food security. It also documents the growth of the global network and lessons from implementation across diverse regions. This milestone overview provides policymakers, practitioners, and researchers with insights into the Initiative’s achievements and future strategic priorities for soil health and climate action. The report is publicly available on the 4p1000 website.

EU CAP Network Conference on Water Resilience

Innovation and Practice for Sustainable Agriculture

The EU CAP Network will host the conference “Water Resilience in Agriculture: Innovation in Practice” on 19–21 May 2026 in Hamburg, Germany. The event will showcase practical solutions for improving water resilience in agricultural and forestry systems through field visits, workshops, and an innovation marketplace. Participants will explore nature-based approaches, precision irrigation, and soil health strategies. The conference provides an opportunity for farmers, advisors, and researchers to engage in knowledge exchange and innovation. Full details are available on the EU CAP Network event page.

Competition for Land Use and Sustainable Farming

Insights for EU Policy and Land Management

A new European Commission study examines the competition for land use and the sustainability of EU farming. The report assesses trends in agricultural land use, interactions with forestry, built environment, and energy production, and policy scenarios under the Green Deal and Farm to Fork strategies. It highlights how targeted interventions can reduce farmland loss, improve environmental performance, and support sustainable food production. The study provides a key reference for policymakers, researchers, and land managers seeking evidence-based guidance on balancing competing land demands. The publication is accessible via the EU Agenda portal.

News for ECN Members

Carbon Farming Summit 2026

Advancing Climate Action Through Carbon Farming

The European Carbon Farming Summit 2026 will take place on 17–19 March in Padova, Italy, bringing together policymakers, scientists, farmers, and economic actors to explore practical solutions for carbon sequestration in agriculture. The summit will cover topics such as soil management practices, standards and certification, and monitoring carbon fluxes.
Alberto Confalonieri will represent ECN and CIC in the session “Beyond Carbon”, sharing insights on the role of compost in carbon farming initiatives and how it can deliver broader environmental and societal benefits. The summit provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders to discuss innovation, policy, and market mechanisms to scale climate-positive actions in European agriculture. More information and registration are available on the Carbon Farming Summit website.

Sirk Norge | Webinar on the EU Bioeconomy strategy, 04 February 2026

ECN presents the results of the LIFE BIOBEST project and its position on the strategy

During the webinar organised for Sirk Norges’ members, the recently released strategy was presented and discussed. Our Scientific Officer, Steffen Walk, presented the project’s core results, including policy recommendations, and connected these with the strategy.

Emilie Rohde Larsen, responsible for Sirk Norge’s EU affairs, summarises the organizations’ view on the new strategy:

"We hope that the new Bioeconomy strategy will be a driver for circularity in production systems for bioresources. The sectors in focus in the strategy is waste, forestry and aquaculture. In Norway we already have expertise through R&I-projects within circular usage of wood and sludge from fisheries. In parts of Norway, we have a great phosphorous excess, so utilization of this excess and export to a growing demand in Europe is a great opportunity for establishing circular business models. The competitiveness of these solutions is dependent on market demand, in which the new strategy is aiming to strengthen."

Further info about ECN‘s member organisation from Norway here.

Events

Registration open I March 3-5, 2026

Waste Fermentation Day & GGG Technical Seminar

The Waste Fermentation Day & GGG Technical Seminar will take place from March 3–5, 2026, in Mannheim-Ladenburg and is now open for registration. The event covers political, legal, and technological developments in waste fermentation, alongside practical applications, safety and compliance topics, and future innovations such as e-methanol, sustainable fuels, and CCU business models. Networking opportunities and an educational site visit to regional facilities round out the three-day program.

S.O.S Save Organics in Soil

This international initiative S.O.S. SOIL – Save Organics in Soil, led by the European Compost Network (ECN) and the Italian Composting and Biogas Association (CIC), aims to highlight the importance of soil organic matter to encourage policy makers to develop instruments to move Europe towards implementing sustainable, climate proof soil management practices.

Sign the manifesto 'Save Organigs in Soil' here.