LAFERIA Project Officially Launched with Successful Kick-Off Meeting in Portugal
News
The LAFERIA project, a Horizon Europe project, was officially launched with a successful kick-off meeting held from February 25 and 26 in Portugal at BIOPOLIS-CIBIO headquarters. This meeting brought together all 13 project partners, setting the foundation for successful collaboration and laying the groundwork for the ambitious objectives of the LAFERIA project. Coordinated by BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, the project includes as partners HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR UMWELTFORSCHUNG GMBH - UFZ (UFZ), EIGEN VERMOGEN VAN HET INSTITUUT VOOR LANDBOUW- EN VISSERIJONDERZOEK (EV-ILVO), EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL BUREAU (EEB), FINNISH ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE (SYKE), HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO (UH), HOGSKOLAN I HALMSTAD (HU), INSTITUTE FOR EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY (IEEP), PENSOFT PUBLISHERS (PENSOFT), SOCIETY FOR TERRITORIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROSPERITY (STEP), STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCH (WR), UNIVERSITAET ROSTOCK (UROS), EDIA-EMPRESA DE DESENVOLVIMIENTO E INTRA-ESTRUTURAS DO ALQUEVA S.A. (EDIA).
The LAFERIA project, a Horizon Europe project, was officially launched with a successful kick-off meeting held from February 25 and 26 in Portugal at BIOPOLIS-CIBIO headquarters. This meeting brought together all 13 project partners, setting the foundation for successful collaboration and laying the groundwork for the ambitious objectives of the LAFERIA project. Coordinated by BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, the project includes as partners HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR UMWELTFORSCHUNG GMBH - UFZ (UFZ), EIGEN VERMOGEN VAN HET INSTITUUT VOOR LANDBOUW- EN VISSERIJONDERZOEK (EV-ILVO), EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL BUREAU (EEB), FINNISH ENVIRONMENT INSTITUTE (SYKE), HELSINGIN YLIOPISTO (UH), HOGSKOLAN I HALMSTAD (HU), INSTITUTE FOR EUROPEAN ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY (IEEP), PENSOFT PUBLISHERS (PENSOFT), SOCIETY FOR TERRITORIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROSPERITY (STEP), STICHTING WAGENINGEN RESEARCH (WR), UNIVERSITAET ROSTOCK (UROS), EDIA-EMPRESA DE DESENVOLVIMIENTO E INTRA-ESTRUTURAS DO ALQUEVA S.A. (EDIA).
LAFERIA aims to identify the key factors that can facilitate the reintroduction of landscape features (LF) in intensive agricultural areas across Europe. The project’s primary objective is to ensure that at least 10% of agricultural areas incorporate high-diversity LF, helping to restore biodiversity and ecosystem services. To achieve this, the project will focus on restoring LF where they are lacking and improving management where they still exist.
During the two-day kick-off meeting, partners discussed essential aspects of the project, including work packages, case studies, tasks, and deliverables. This gathering served as a crucial step in aligning efforts and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to address barriers and create strategies for the effective implementation of landscape features.
The LAFERIA approach extends beyond traditional financial incentives by analyzing decision-making processes, fostering inclusive engagement with local actors throughout the food chain—including producers and consumers—and exploring innovative business models that generate value from LF reintroduction. By integrating sustainable management practices with economic viability, the project aspires to promote long-term adoption and support the development of inclusive and resilient business models based on biodiversity and ecosystem services.
The kick-off meeting not only marked the beginning of an exciting journey but also provided a platform for partners to exchange knowledge, align objectives, and set a collaborative tone for the project’s success.
For further updates on the LAFERIA project, stay tuned for announcements and insights following the meeting - https://www.laferia-project.eu/
LAFERIA receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme (ID No 101181492).