A new study examines the validity trade-offs when using farmer samples in economic experiments designed to inform agricultural policy. Economic experiments are increasingly used to test the design of agri-environmental policies before they are rolled out at scale. But most laboratory experiments use student volunteers rather than the farmers who would actually participate in such schemes. Does this matter? A new project-funded study published in Q Open directly addresses th

A new study finds that farmer identity influences contract choices more strongly than risk aversion, with implications for how biodiversity schemes are designed and offered. Agri-environmental schemes are a primary tool for encouraging farmers to manage land for biodiversity, but uptake varies widely. Understanding what drives farmers’ choices between different contract designs is essential for improving scheme effectiveness. A new project-funded study published in Q Open u

A new perspective article proposes co-assessment as a practical pathway for integrating diverse knowledge systems into biodiversity governance. Biodiversity policy increasingly recognises that scientific data alone cannot capture the full picture of how ecosystems are changing. Indigenous peoples and local communities hold deep knowledge of their environments, often spanning generations, yet this knowledge is rarely integrated into formal decision-making processes. A new per

New project funded paper reveals that local habitat type and prey availability drive predatory beetle communities even in landscapes rich in semi-natural habitat... Ground beetles (carabids) and rove beetles (staphylinids) are among the most important natural pest control agents in European arable farming. They prey on pollen beetle larvae and other crop pests. But what determines where these predators are found and in what numbers? A new project-funded study published in Pes

New paper introduces a standardised protocol for measuring farmland biodiversity outcomes across European farmer-cluster landscapes. This protocol was developed and tested during the FRAMEwork Project, which established eleven farmer clusters across nine countries. The project monitored biodiversity using a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) experimental design. The paper makes the full methodology available for replication in other farming systems and landscapes across Euro

A webinar exploring how collaborative farming can deliver beneficial outcomes ... The James Hutton Institute recently hosted a webinar organised by its International Land Use Study Centre (ILUSC), chaired by Director Professor Lee-Ann Sutherland alongside Deputy Director Dr Kerry Waylen. Four project speakers presented findings from across FRAMEwork's 11 clusters in nine European countries, then opened the floor for a wide-ranging discussion. © The James Hutton Institute "Fro

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Project publishes Legacy Guide signposting all activity and outputs Between 2020 and 2025, the H2020 FRAMEwork project brought together 18 consortium partners, 11 farmer clusters, and over 50 farm businesses across Europe to test whether farmer-led approaches could deliver measurable biodiversity gains, and whether the ‘Farmer Cluster’ model could work in diverse European contexts. The project monitored more than 12,000 hectares of farmland, recorded over 40,000 biodiversity

Project launches substack publication to continue dissemination through 2026 We're pleased to announce the launch of Foodlands , a free weekly newsletter on Substack. The publication shares stories recorded during the course of the project with people trying to improve life in our food system across Europe and beyond ! It's interview-led journalism that puts real on-the-ground voices at the centre of the conversation. Why is This Important? Biodiversity loss and ecosystem deg

A new study in Trends in Ecology & Evolution identifies 21 key AI applications for conservation alongside critical implementation risks... Artificial intelligence is reshaping conservation at an unprecedented scale and speed. A project-funded horizon scan published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution identifies 21 key AI applications likely to benefit biological conservation alongside critical implementation risks. The urgency is real, biodiversity loss is accelerating globally,

Project officially launches YouTube Channel to support legacy dissemination Throughout H2020 FRAMEwork, video has played a central role in connecting our project's actors and audiences across Europe - from short documentaries filmed on farms to expert-led webinars on biodiversity policy and practice. For most of the project's lifetime, these videos were hosted via Taskscape's Vimeo, embedded across the project website and knowledge hub, Recodo, and played at project events an

FRAMEwork has released a sustainability assessment tool that evaluates farms across environmental, economic and social dimensions As the European Union shifts agricultural priorities towards sustainable food production and farmland biodiversity restoration, farmers and policymakers face a critical question: how can we reliably assess and compare the sustainability of farming systems? FRAMEwork has released a comprehensive sustainability assessment tool that evaluates farms ac

Project releases policy brief demonstrating that coordinated, landscape-scale action delivers measurable ecological benefits whilst strengthening rural communities across Europe FRAMEwork has published a policy brief documenting five years of evidence from eleven Farmer Clusters across nine European countries. The research demonstrates that coordinated, landscape-scale action delivers measurable ecological benefits whilst strengthening rural communities. Farmer Clusters repre

New analysis of project biodiversity monitoring events mobilising over 13k citizens and generating over 10k ecological observations across Europe A new project report analyses how our Farmer Clusters across nine European countries mobilised over 13,000 citizens through 38 FRAMEwork biodiversity monitoring events between October 2020 and June 2025. These were not one-off awareness events but structured biodiversity-monitoring activities that generated both valuable ecological

An update on the project's concluding stages... Unsplash EU H2020 projects undergo annual reviews where the project officer and a panel of external experts assess progress based on reporting and a meeting where presentations are given and aspects of the project discussed. Yesterday, FRAMEwork had its concluding review meeting in its fifth and final year - the project officially ran autumn 2020 to autumn 2025. We're pleased to share that this final review was positive, with ma

FRAMEwork has released evidence showing that ecological health directly supports crop production and long-term farm profitability, bridging the divide between conservation and productivity. The natural capital approach views farms as integrated systems where soil, water, habitats, and biodiversity underpin essential ecosystem services. FRAMEwork has released a comprehensive analysis testing this approach at Cranborne Chase farmer cluster in England, revealing critical insight

New project study identifies set of indicator bird species that can simplify biodiversity monitoring for farmers and facilitators... Monitoring farmland birds is one of the most established ways to track the health of agricultural landscapes. But current breeding bird survey methods require observers to identify a large number of species by sight and sound, using complex survey protocols that demand significant training and time. For farmer clusters seeking to monitor their o

Project policy brief outlines why skilled facilitators are essential for landscape-scale conservation within farmer clusters Farmer clusters succeed or fail based on facilitator quality. FRAMEwork has published a systems analysis brief of eleven clusters across nine countries examining how facilitators shape biodiversity outcomes. The research shows that skilled facilitators serve as critical hubs distributing knowledge, building trust, and connecting farmers with researchers

Project publishes Cluster-level policy briefs documenting farmer-led biodiversity management across Europe. Here is what they offer and why they matter! FRAMEwork has published ten policy briefs, each documenting a different farmer cluster operating within the project. The briefs cover 11 clusters across 9 European countries: Austria (2 clusters), the Czech Republic, England, Estonia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Spain. Scotland’s Buchan cluster is covered

FRAMEwork has published evidence-based guidelines on supporting viable farming on marginal lands across diverse European regions. Land abandonment poses a critical challenge to European biodiversity, food security and rural livelihoods. As economic pressures drive farmers to exit production on marginal lands, former agricultural areas rapidly transition to scrubland and woody encroachment, reducing habitat diversity for farmland specialists. FRAMEwork has published guidelines