Strengthening Synergies Across Horizon Europe: CHOICE and Its Sister Projects
Maximising impact in Horizon Europe goes beyond individual project results. It requires structured collaboration, knowledge exchange and cross-project visibility that strengthen the overall European research and innovation ecosystem.
Within this context, CHOICE actively develops synergies with sister projects whose activities complement its work on mainstreaming Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), behavioural change and climate-conscious transitions. Three collaborations illustrate this approach: partnerships with NEVERMORE, HYDRA and WaterWise Hub.
CHOICE & NEVERMORE: Strengthening Cross-Project Impact in Horizon Europe
A key sister project is NEVERMORE (New Enabling Visions and tools for End-useRs and stakeholders thanks to a common MOdeling appRoach towards a climatE neutral and resilient society), a CINEA-funded Horizon Europe project (June 2022 – May 2026). NEVERMORE develops integrated climate models and interactive digital tools to assess risks and support mitigation and adaptation pathways towards climate neutrality and resilience.
Collaboration was operational and strategic. During the CHOICE 2nd Plenary Meeting, NEVERMORE’s Project Coordinator, Alessia Torre, presented the project’s modelling framework and ICT Toolkit, enabling direct exchange between teams working on integrated assessment models, behavioural change and decision-support tools.
Synergy also extended to stakeholder validation. CHOICE supported the dissemination of NEVERMORE’s ICT Toolkit testing sessions, inviting consortium members and their networks to participate in the online validation of the Catalogue Explorer and the EU-Global Scale Tool (3 and 5 March 2026). The sessions combined tool demonstrations with hands-on testing and structured feedback, broadening stakeholder engagement during a key validation phase.
CHOICE & HYDRA: Advancing Integrated Assessment Models Across Sectors
Another important sister initiative is HYDRA (Hydrogen Economy Benefits and Risks: tools development and policies implementation to mitigate possible climate impacts), a Horizon Europe project running from November 2023 to October 2027. HYDRA analyses the climate, environmental and socio-economic implications of a large-scale hydrogen economy, combining integrated modelling, life-cycle assessment and technological innovation to identify benefits, risks and mitigation pathways.
Collaboration materialised through the 2nd HYDRA Webinar (31 October 2025), organised by HYDRA in collaboration with NEVERMORE under the theme “Integrated Assessment Models in Action: Insights from HYDRA, NEVERMORE & CHOICE.” The event brought together Horizon Europe projects applying IAMs across hydrogen systems, climate adaptation and food-system transformation. Researchers from Universidad de Valladolid and CARTIF Technology Center presented the WILIAM model and its application within HYDRA and NEVERMORE, while Dr. Sibel Eker (IIASA), a member of the CHOICE consortium, introduced CHOICE’s modelling suite — GLOBIOM, FeliX and the FABLE Calculator — highlighting how CHOICE integrates behavioural heterogeneity and demand-side dynamics into IAM frameworks. The exchange underscored complementarities between HYDRA’s hydrogen-focused system modelling, NEVERMORE’s integrated climate risk modelling, and CHOICE’s behaviourally informed approach to food, agriculture and land-use transitions.
CHOICE & WaterWise Hub: Connecting Climate Behaviour and Circular Water Innovation
CHOICE has also initiated collaboration with WaterWise Hub, a Horizon Europe Excellence Hub, running from January 2025 to December 2028. WaterWise Hub brings together 21 partners across South-East Europe and Eastern Partnership countries to accelerate circular and decentralised water innovation, with a strong focus on Widening countries and rural regions.
Both initiatives contribute to climate resilience through systemic approaches and stakeholder engagement. WaterWise Hub connects research, industry, public authorities and communities to strengthen regional water innovation ecosystems, while CHOICE contributes insights from its modelling and behavioural research work to support knowledge exchange across sustainability domains.
The collaboration began through mutual visibility and knowledge exchange activities. WaterWise Hub featured CHOICE in its news section highlighting EU Horizon projects, including an interview with Ilias Karachalios, member of the CHOICE consortium, exploring how behavioural research can support shifts in deeply rooted sustainability perceptions, such as attitudes toward water reuse. The discussion emphasised shared lessons on the importance of local examples, trusted messengers and visible co-benefits in driving social acceptance.
Working Together for Stronger Climate Impact
Taken together, these collaborations show how Horizon Europe projects gain strength through connection and exchange. Through joint webinars, modelling discussions, stakeholder engagement activities and mutual visibility efforts, CHOICE, NEVERMORE, HYDRA and WaterWise Hub demonstrate the value of continuous dialogue across the European research and innovation landscape.
What connects these initiatives is a shared commitment to advancing climate resilience through evidence-based approaches, systemic thinking and meaningful stakeholder involvement. By exchanging modelling insights, engagement practices and regional experiences, the projects create space for learning and alignment that extends beyond individual work packages and deliverables.
In this way, sister project synergies move beyond communication actions and become part of a broader, collaborative effort to strengthen Europe’s capacity to design, implement and scale climate solutions.
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