FIRAB

What FIRAB does

FIRAB (Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca in Agricoltura Biologica e Biodinamica) is a private non-profit research foundation established in 2008 and headquartered in Rome, Italy. Founded by AIAB, Associazione per l'Agricoltura Biodinamica, Legambiente, and UILA, the organization conducts participatory research, market analysis, technical knowledge transfer, and policy advocacy focused on organic and biodynamic agriculture in Italy. FIRAB operates through a small core team of approximately 5 employees augmented by a distributed network of collaborators and technician-researchers across Italian regions, with governance led by President Cristina Grandi (also long-standing IFOAM representative at FAO) and Secretary General Luca Colombo.

The foundation's output portfolio spans market analyses, technical manuals, professional training courses, the BIOCONNESSIONI newsletter, and the annual Mangiasano awareness campaign, but the primary vehicle for activity is participation in competitive research projects. Its project portfolio is geographically and institutionally layered: European-level projects (BIOGREENET 2025-2029 led by Naturland; OrganicAdviceNetwork, OrganicClimateNET, DIVINFOOD, TAELABS, ALL FACTS under Horizon Europe and the EU Agroecology Partnership), national projects (LIFE GRACE, ECOINPASCOLI, DIVERSIBIO, RIFLAESSI), and regional projects (CEREALI RESILIENTI 3.0, Ortobiostrip, SIC.A.RI.B., SAIMarche, FiSiCa). Technical outputs include the registration of the 'Bosco dei Frumenti' Heterogeneous Biological Material of durum wheat in Italy's National Official List and models for organic school canteens and extensive livestock supply chains (e.g., LIFE GRACE network in Lazio Natura 2000 sites).

FIRAB's revenue model is grant-based with no commercial sales. The vast majority of activity is funded through competitive public grants at European, national (MASAF), and regional (PSR) levels; a 2020 snapshot listed approximately €216,868 across 7 projects, but the organization has since expanded its multi-year European portfolio. End beneficiaries include organic and biodynamic producers, supply chain operators, Italian municipalities and schools, agricultural technicians, and international institutions (FAO, EU Commission, TP Organics). The organization does not develop proprietary software, hardware, or platforms and derives its strategic value from convening power, research credibility, and integration into European organic and agroecological policy networks.

Name

FIRAB

Legal name

Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca in Agricoltura Biologica e Biodinamica

Website

https://firab.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FIRAB is an Italian non-profit research foundation founded in 2008 that conducts participatory research on organic and biodynamic agriculture. Funded by competitive European, national, and regional grants, it serves organic farmers, policymakers, and institutions through market analyses, training, and policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Research Services

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Industry & Sector Research (Syndicated/Custom) (BPAHALAE)

Keywords

• Organic agriculture research
• Agroecology research
• Biodynamic farming research
• Agricultural policy advocacy
• Rural development projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Roma

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Competitive Research Project Funding: The vast majority of FIRAB's activities are funded through competitive research projects financed by public institutions at European level (Horizon Europe research programs, European Agroecology Partnership, Life program), national level (MASAF and supervised entities), and regional level (Rural Development Program innovation measures). These are grant-based funds, not commercial revenue.
2. Project-Based Public Grants (2020 Snapshot): Illustrative 2020 project grants include: Diverimpacts (H2020 UE, €31,990), GRACE (Life, €36,400), Stabiwine (7th EU Framework Programme, €10,000), Eco in Pascoli (MiPAAF, €29,251), Vino Bio Calabria (PSR Calabria, €13,000), Appecobio (PSR Umbria, €8,028), and TERRITORI BIO (PSR Veneto, €88,198). Total 2020 entries: approximately €216,868.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

FIRAB (Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca in Agricoltura Biologica e Biodinamica) is a non-profit Italian research foundation that conducts participatory research, market analysis, policy advocacy, and knowledge transfer in organic and biodynamic agriculture. It coordinates and participates in European, national, and regional research projects, delivers technical manuals and market intelligence to organic sector operators, and convenes farmers, researchers, and policymakers across Italy and Europe.

Product overview

FIRAB (Fondazione Italiana per la Ricerca in Agricoltura Biologica e Biodinamica) is a research foundation focused on organic and biodynamic agriculture research in Italy. The organization operates as a distributed research center rather than a traditional product company, offering a portfolio of services including market analysis studies, technical manuals, training programs, and advocacy campaigns. FIRAB's core activities center around coordinating and participating in multiple European, national, and regional research projects addressing organic farming, agroecology, climate adaptation, and biodiversity. Key project portfolios include the international initiatives (Organic Advice Network, Organic Climate Network, BIOGREENET, DIVINFOOD, TAELABS, ALL FACTS), national projects (LIFE-GRACE, ECOINPASCOLI, DIVERSIBIO, RIFLAESSI), and regional initiatives (Ortobiostrip, SIC.A.RI.B., CEREALI RESILIENTI 3.0). The foundation also conducts dissemination through its BIOCONNESSIONI newsletter and the annual Mangiasano awareness campaign.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Organic Market Analysis Studies (Analisi/Studi)

Quantifiable outcome

• Organic school meals in Italy grew from 14.82 million (2019) to 54.47 million (2025) — a 267% increase — while public funding dropped 54% over the same period.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• TP OrganicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTP Organics is the European Technology Platform for research and innovation in organic and agroecological farming. FIRAB, represented by Secretary Luca Colombo, actively contributed to drafting TP Organics' 2025 Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), helping shape the priorities for biological and agroecological research funding at EU level. FIRAB is a member of TP Organics and participates in its Organic Innovation Days events.
• IFOAM – Organics InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFIRAB president Cristina Grandi served for over 20 years as IFOAM – Organics International's representative at FAO and was present at the FAO headquarters in Rome for the 2024 renewal of the FAO-IFOAM MoU. FIRAB participates in joint initiatives with IFOAM on agroecology, family farming, and Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS).
• FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFAO and IFOAM renewed their MoU in October 2024 for a further five years, signed at FAO headquarters in Rome. FIRAB's president Cristina Grandi attended the signing ceremony. The partnership focuses on promoting agroecology, strengthening family farming, extending PGS, and improving livelihoods of smallholder farmers globally.
• EU Agroecology Partnership (European Partnership for Agroecology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFIRAB joined the EU Agroecology Partnership, contributing to its programs and governance. Within this framework, FIRAB co-promotes Living Labs such as the Rome agroecological Living Lab (TAELABS project) with CREA and local stakeholders, and participates in the ALL FACTS project coordinated by the University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo.
• CREA (Council for Agricultural Research and Economics)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCREA (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Economia Agraria) collaborates with FIRAB on multiple projects, including the TAELABS agroecological Living Lab in Rome, the ALL FACTS project on Heterogeneous Biological Materials, and joint workshops on agroecological transitions in Italian territories.
• AIAB (Associazione Italiana per l'Agricoltura Biologica)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIAB is a founding member of FIRAB and a key project partner. FIRAB and AIAB collaborate on the OrganicAdviceNetwork (EU project, with FIRAB as Italian partner), OrganicClimateNET, and AIAB FVG co-organizes events such as Vitibio 2025. The two organizations share staff and participate jointly in policy consultations.
• Naturland (Germany)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNaturland, a major German organic farming association, coordinates the BIOGREENET project (Horizon Europe, 2025–2029). FIRAB participates as an Italian partner alongside AIAB and CREA, contributing to activities on greenhouse organic production, knowledge exchange, and innovation across 16 European partners.
• FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Switzerland/Germany)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFiBL is a partner in the BIOGREENET project. It is one of the world's leading institutes for organic agriculture research, bringing expertise in organic farming systems, soil science, and sustainability assessment to the consortium.
• CIHEAM (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Options)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIHEAM participates in the BIOGREENET project consortium, contributing Mediterranean agronomic expertise to the network of 16 European partners working on organic greenhouse production.
• IFOAM EUmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIFOAM EU is a BIOGREENET project partner, bringing the perspective of the European organic movement to the consortium focused on strengthening organic greenhouse production through knowledge and innovation.
• ARSIAL (Agenzia Regionale per lo Sviluppo e l'Innovazione dell'Agricoltura del Lazio)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARSIAL co-organized the LIFE GRACE final conference at Spazio Europa in Rome alongside project partners. ARSIAL is a key institutional partner in the Lazio region's sustainable agriculture initiatives involving FIRAB.
• Ecovalia (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEcovalia, the Spanish professional association for organic production, organized the OrganicClimateNET cross-visit in Córdoba (November 2025), hosting FIRAB, AIAB FVG, and European participants focused on organic viticulture and oliviculture.
• Verdi Ambiente e Società (VAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVAS (Verdi Ambiente e Società) co-promotes the annual Mangiasano campaign with FIRAB and the Associazione Rurale Italiana, organizing public events such as the 'Cena della Salute' that combine food education, biodiversity advocacy, and organic farming promotion.
• Cooperativa CoraggiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperativa Coraggio transformed the abandoned Borghetto San Carlo site into a green public square. FIRAB has collaborated with the cooperative on projects Eco in Pascoli, DIVINFOOD, and TAELABS, and participated in the 10th anniversary celebrations of Borghetto San Carlo.
• University of Gastronomic Sciences of Pollenzo (Italy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThis university coordinates the ALL FACTS project (Agroecology Living Labs for Accelerating Transition), funded by the EU Agroecology Partnership. FIRAB co-promotes the project in Italy and contributes to activities on Heterogeneous Biological Materials and participatory cereal breeding.
• Slow Food ItaliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSlow Food Italia co-promotes the Scuola di Pastorizia di Calascio in Abruzzo alongside D.R.E.Am Italia, with FIRAB supporting dissemination and linking the initiative to its LIFE GRACE and riflAEssi projects on extensive livestock farming and agroecology.
• Cooperativa HQF AgricolaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHQF Agricola is a member of the LIFE GRACE network, acting as a bridge between pasture-raised meat production and markets. It participates in FIRAB-organized training and networking events, contributing to the ethical supply chain model.
• BIOGREENET Consortium (16 Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFull consortium: Naturland (DE, coordinator), Delphy (NL), Viaverda (BE), Aegilops (GR), CREA (IT), INHORT (PL), COEXPHAL (ES), CTIFL (FR), ETO (TR), FIRAB (IT), AIAB (IT), BIOSELENA (BG), UAL (ES), FiBL (CH/DE), CIHEAM (INTL), IFOAM EU. The project runs 2025–2029 under Horizon Europe.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• ÖMKi (Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture): Hungary's national research institute for organic agriculture, with a comparable scale, EU-project-heavy funding model, and applied on-farm research focus. ÖMKi is a frequent European consortium partner and offers a strong size-and-mission parallel to FIRAB.
• Naturland: A major German organic farming association that coordinates the BIOGREENET Horizon Europe project (2025-2029), in which FIRAB participates. Naturland combines organic certification with international development cooperation and applied research, closely mirroring FIRAB's hybrid model.
• Louis Bolk Institute: A Dutch independent applied research institute focused on organic and sustainable agriculture, nutrition, and health. Its participatory research model with farmers and its focus on biodynamic and agroecological methods make it one of the closest European peers to FIRAB in mission and operational style.
• Rodale Institute: A US-based non-profit research and education organization focused on organic agriculture, with a long history of participatory on-farm research, training, and policy advocacy. Comparable mission and operating model to FIRAB, though operating in a different regulatory and funding environment.
• FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture): The world's leading research institute dedicated to organic agriculture, headquartered in Switzerland with operations in Germany, Austria, and France. FiBL is a BIOGREENET project partner alongside FIRAB and shares the same fundamental mandate of producing applied research for organic farming systems.
• AIAB (Associazione Italiana per l'Agricoltura Biologica): Italy's principal organic farming association and a founding member of FIRAB. AIAB operates closely with FIRAB on OrganicAdviceNetwork, OrganicClimateNET, and BIOGREENET, and shares staff and policy positions. It is the most direct domestic Italian counterpart in advocacy and applied research for the organic sector.

Others

• TP Organics: The European Technology Platform for organic and agroecological food and farming research. FIRAB's Secretary General coordinates TP Organics activities and helped draft its 2025 SRIA. TP Organics is an enabling/convener platform rather than a direct research peer, but the two are tightly intertwined.

Broad incumbents

• IFOAM - Organics International: The global umbrella organization for the organic agriculture movement, with which FIRAB's president has a 20+ year relationship as FAO representative. IFOAM sets international organic standards and convenes global policy actors at a scale well beyond FIRAB, but addresses overlapping sector topics.
• CIHEAM (International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies): An intergovernmental Mediterranean agronomic research organization, a partner of FIRAB in the BIOGREENET consortium. CIHEAM operates at a much larger intergovernmental scale and covers broader agronomic topics, but converges with FIRAB on Mediterranean agroecology and organic transitions.
• CREA (Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Economia Agraria): Italy's national council for agricultural research and economics, a key FIRAB partner on TAELABS, ALL FACTS, and BIOGREENET. CREA is much larger than FIRAB and covers the full agricultural research spectrum, including non-organic topics, making it a broader incumbent rather than a focused peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fondazionefirab

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about FIRAB