ECOLOOP: Empowering rural communities for the energy transition

The ECOLOOP project is transforming how rural communities manage land, waste and energy by equipping farmers and foresters with tools, knowledge and innovative business models to harness renewable energy, improve soil health and cut carbon emissions, while generating new economic opportunities.

With over 80% of the EU’s land covered by forests and farms, rural areas are at the heart of Europe’s climate ambitions. ECOLOOP ensures that these regions are not left behind in the green transition.

By decentralising renewable energy production and converting agricultural and forestry residues into valuable resources, ECOLOOP empowers rural communities to become key players in sustainability.

Its strategy aligns with the European Green Deal, the updated Renewable Energy Directive and the EU’s circular economy and biodiversity goals – while also supporting youth employment, gender equality and climate resilience.

A big solution for rural Europe

Launched in October 2023, the €9.1 million ECOLOOP funded by Horizon Europe and coordinated by ETRA is developing and demonstrating seven integrated innovations across four pilot sites in Spain, Slovenia, Estonia and Bulgaria. These sites span a range of climates, crops, forest types and socio-economic settings, ensuring real-world validation and broad replicability.

The project’s holistic approach connects renewable energy, sustainable farming and rural development, with a strong focus on reducing emissions and waste, improving biodiversity and soil health, boosting local economies and strengthening climate resilience.

ECOLOOP’s four core goals are:

1. Smarter biogas production – transforming farm and forest waste into biogas for local energy use, cutting emissions and creating a valuable, circular resource.
2. Sustainable farming practices – replacing traditional fertilisers with bio-based alternatives that improve crop yields while protecting soil, water and biodiversity.
3. Integrated clean energy – blending biogas, biomass, agri-PV and geothermal energy to meet rural electricity, heating, cooling and transport needs.
4. Stronger rural economies – empowering communities with policy tools, financial incentives and business models that foster local growth and green jobs.

ECOLOOP innovations driving the transition

To turn these goals into action, ECOLOOP is rolling out a suite of seven innovations – three products and four processes – tailored for rural applications.

The biogas production process focuses on converting agricultural waste into biomethane while exploring digestate as biofertiliser and pyrolysis for added value – supporting farmers, landowners and energy communities.

The RES integration process combines solar, geothermal and bioenergy to optimise local energy use, benefiting energy providers and technology companies.

The soil health tool tests sustainable alternatives to chemical fertilisers, including digestate treatment, bio-stimulants for forests and wood ash recycling, helping farmers and forest managers enhance soil and water quality.

The decision support tool enables remote crop monitoring to reduce emissions, energy use and costs, based on real-time data, and supports farmers and foresters’ decision-making process.

The CO₂ sequestration tool recommends tree species to maximise carbon uptake by soil type, aiding foresters and policymakers.

The farmer support process promotes inclusive business models that empower farmers as renewable energy prosumers.

Lastly, the soil living lab brings together stakeholders in a co-innovation space to test and adapt sustainable practices on the ground.

Demonstration sites across Europe

ECOLOOP's accomplishments will undergo rigorous testing and validation through four pilot sites located in Spain, Slovenia, Estonia and Bulgaria.

These demonstrators will encompass a diverse range of crops, plantations and trees in both agricultural and forestry sectors. They will accommodate different types of energy sources and assets while spanning diverse climatic, geographic and socio-economic conditions and sizes.

The overarching goal is to facilitate replicability, scale-up, and eventual market launch.

From pilot to impact

ECOLOOP is more than a research project, it’s a blueprint for real-world change. By 2030, it will contribute to the EU’s goal of producing 35bcm of biogas and biomethane – 10% of the EU’s gas demand – and up to 95bcm by 2050. This could support over 1 million green jobs across Europe by mid-century.

Its model supports EU rural communities to cut greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil and water quality, generate and consume clean energy locally and create jobs and inclusive business models.

By advancing bio-based fertilisers and renewables integration, ECOLOOP strengthens biodiversity, protects ecosystems and lays the foundation for a sustainable and competitive rural economy.

To explore ECOLOOP’s innovations, pilot sites, and latest results, visit the website and follow the project on social media for real-time updates. Don’t miss the introductory video and the Valencia pilot site visit, featured by ENLIT On the Road, for a closer look at the project in action.

About the authors

Raquel Castán Vidal is Communication Manager for EU Projects at ETRA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences and master’s in environmental risk management and in journalism and is currently leading the communication strategy and actions for several EU-funded projects coordinated by ETRA, including ODEON, ECOLOOP, EBENTO, and R2D2.

Sheila Sánchez Mínguez is Project Manager at ETRA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from the Universitat de València and a master’s degree in project management from the Universitat Politècnica de València and is currently leading the coordination of Horizon EU ECOLOOP project.