A new competition is looking for solutions to the food-water-energy nexus.

The aim of Belmont Forum and Joint Planning Initiative Urban Europe’s project is to bring together research and innovation from around the world to solve food shortage, water scarcity and energy resource issues in cities.

Called the Sustainable Urban Global Initiative/Food-Water-Energy Nexus, it is seeking experts in the physical, natural and social sciences and also in the arts and humanities as well policy and decision makers.

The budget totals €28.5 million (£24.8m), including EU support through Horizon 2020.

The UK is to provide around £1.6 million to fund six or seven projects in the country. The maximum amount of funding these projects are eligible for is €300,000 (£261,000).

Some projects will progress to a full proposal in the second stage of the competition.

An international coalition to boost sustainable cities was launched last summer.

The call opened on the 9th of December 2016 and has its pre-proposal deadline on the 15th of March 2017.