Search Results

A final project event shares lessons from Europe and the UK... On the 24th September 2025, the project hosted a final webinar, 'Inside Farmer Clusters: Lessons from Europe and the UK', from coordinating partner the James Hutton Institute - reflecting on five years supporting biodiversity through piloting collaborative farming approaches. We're pleased to share that the webinar was well attended with over 70 stakeholders joining, the majority of them external. Farmers in the project's Czech Cluster | Czech Organics/CULS As H2020 FRAMEwork approaches its conclusion, this webinar provided a timely opportunity to share experiences from our 11 pilot Farmer Clusters established across Europe, from southern Spain to Estonia. Project coordinator Dr Graham Begg from the James Hutton Institute opened the session by emphasising how FRAMEwork has been about 'supporting biodiversity in farming, but doing so by working with farmers'. The Evolution of Farmer Clusters Neville Kingdon from the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) provided historical context, explaining how the 'Farmer Cluster' concept developed in England in the early 2010s. "The pilot was considered successful, and the government set out funding to support and expand the concept," he noted, describing how the initiative has now grown from five pilot Clusters managing areas up to 100 square kilometers to encompassing environmental farmers' groups - sometimes termed 'SuperClusters' -covering nearly 315,000 hectares - approximately 4% of England's farmed areas. Diverse Experiences Across Europe The webinar featured presentations from facilitators across FRAMEwork's Farmer Clusters, each highlighting unique approaches and achievements shaped by local contexts: Czech Republic : the Velké Hostěrádky cluster transformed nine farms managing over 2,500 hectares into "living laboratories". Key achievements included installing bird boxes, creating a 7km biodiversity path now featured on national maps, and establishing an 8-hectare agroforestry system on erosion-prone land. Spain : The Cazadores de Aguilar cluster brought together farmers and hunters around restoring life to olive groves. Ground cover establishment between olive trees has proven beneficial for erosion control and biodiversity, challenging cultural norms about "good" olive grove management. Estonia : The Kanepi kihlkund Farmer Cluster of 14 farmers managing over 3,000 hectares focused on wild pollinators and wildflowers. The project recorded over 75 bird species and identified more than 60 species of wild bees, while hosting educational events with local schools, and on new EU CAP requirements. Webinar video | © Taskscape Learnings from Beyond FRAMEwork The webinar also featured an external example of innovative private sector engagement. Fiona Torrance from GWCT Scotland presented on the FAB (Farming, Arable, Biodiversity) Cluster, which emerged from the earlier Interreg-funded Partridge project and is now funded through PepsiCo's Positive Agriculture Output Fund. This cluster demonstrates an alternative funding model, with six farms spread across Fife and Angus testing measures and preparing for Scotland's next round of agri-environment schemes. The inclusion of this externally-funded cluster highlighted potential pathways for sustainability beyond project funding, with FRAMEwork's Clusters having achieved collaborations that could be built upon in Europe to explore innovative next-stage partnerships. Tools and Resources for Scaling Impact The FRAMEwork project developed several resources to support Farmer Clusters beyond the project's lifetime: Guidelines in eight languages  covering topics from starting a cluster to biodiversity monitoring, with over 1,200 views of the English versions to date Landscape Leaders training course  - a free online curriculum for farmers and advisors interested in biodiversity-friendly farming FEAST software  - a decision support tool allowing farmers to assess habitat suitability, plan interventions, and access monitoring guidance Sustainability assessment tool  - a practitioner-friendly questionnaire providing actionable steps for improving farm sustainability Rachel Nichols from GWCT presented these training materials, emphasising their accessibility through the project's information hub, Recodo. Mixed but Promising Biodiversity Outcomes The biodiversity monitoring results from the FRAMEwork Clusters showed variable responses across different sites. "Some Farmer Clusters demonstrated benefits for particular taxa," the research team explained, noting that Austrian clusters focusing on vegetation diversity showed positive impacts on butterfly abundance. Additionally, pest-controlling kestrel populations were enhanced in the Czech cluster, and an increase in corn buntings and pollinators observed in the project's Scottish cluster following implementation of measures. However, the research team also noted divergent results in some areas and emphasised that a three to four-year monitoring period limits assessing longer-term trends: "Our results demonstrate that Farmer Clusters can make a difference, but they also highlight that wider biodiversity recovery will require time, greater landscape scale coordination and strategic alignment." Social Transformation and Identity Shifts Research revealed significant social outcomes within the FRAMEwork Clusters, with farmers shifting roles from business operators to environmental stewards, community leaders, and educators. As Dr. Eszter Kelemen noted: "Farmer Clusters are more than just groups of farmers. They are evolving communities, learning communities, and their success depends on trust, shared learning and local relevance." Looking Ahead Discussion about the future revealed mixed prospects for Cluster continuation. Claire from the Cranborne Chase cluster confirmed their 22 members managing 10,000 hectares are "very much committed to building on what they've done," while Marco Bayer from Luxembourg's Ramborn Cluster noted funding challenges for maintaining facilitator support post-FRAMEwork. The webinar highlighted a critical transition point for European Farmer Clusters - from project-funded initiatives to self-sustaining movements. The inclusion of the privately-funded FAB cluster example suggests one potential pathway, though as Dr Begg concluded, continued success will require addressing funding gaps and maintaining the networks and knowledge exchange that H2020 FRAMEwork has fostered. This final project event was part of a series developed around the project's information hub Recodo - a knowledge, action and legacy platform. For more information on resources for Farmer Clusters, please visit www.recodo.io . You can watch the webinar on youtube here .

First set of mini-documentaries profiling cluster activities released... Taskscape are pleased to share that a first set of eight Farmer Cluster Profile Videos have been released. These latest mini-docs were created for the project's information platform Recodo.io , which is in development, as well as the   media page of FRAMEwork's website. They join a bank of videos produced so far on project activity. "Hear directly from participants on the ground in seven countries who share their priorities and actions for more biodiversity sensitive farming..." Taskscape filmed over 107 stakeholders interviews across Europe for the content strand and are grateful for consortium partners support and engagement. The   shoots  organised for the production of the new FC profile videos are multi-use media capture opportunities, allowing Taskscape to record material for podcast  episodes, articles and other planned video formats. You can find some accounts of filming taking place within FRAMEwork's Clusters within Recodo's new Farmer Cluster Stories  blog. Filming in the remaining three Farmer Clusters is planned over the coming months, so keep an eye out for all sorts of new content! Find out more on Recodo:

Stakeholders from across Estonia's agricultural sector recently gathered for a roundtable "Pests and Beneficial Insects in Agriculture," hosted by the Estonian University of Life Sciences . Short on time? View key takeaways on LinkedIn . This hybrid webinar was part of the H2020 FRAMEwork project’s knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement event series . This initiative is associated with the project's online platform Recodo , which connects people working at the frontiers of farming and biodiversity with vital resources. Producers, policymakers, and researchers came together to address a pressing challenge in modern farming: how to balance productivity and biodiversity through more sustainable insect management. Prof Eve Veromann presents | Credit: EMU Gathering Diverse Perspectives Attendees included researchers and farming organizations, as well as representatives from Estonia’s Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture (REM), the Ministry of Climate (KLIM), and the Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge (METK). The roundtable was designed to enhance dialogue around several core questions: How can landscape elements, such as field margins, contribute to natural pest control? What strategies best support beneficial wildlife and ecosystem services on farmland? How can subsidies and policies promote both productivity and biodiversity conservation? What challenges do Estonian farmers face in implementing these methods? Deputy Coordinator Alastair Simmons (Taskscape) welcomed attendees and provided a brief introduction to Recodo and relevant resources available on the platform, before handing over to the EMU team. Why This Matters: The Importance of Biodiversity Integrating landscape elements into agricultural management is vital for enhancing biodiversity, promoting natural pest control, and building ecosystem resilience. However, participants also acknowledged the real-world challenges: balancing productivity with conservation, bridging knowledge and implementation gaps, and weighing short-term costs against long-term benefits. Supportive policy and public recognition of farmers' efforts were recurring themes throughout the discussion. Professor Eve Veromann from the Estonian University of Life Sciences explained the foundational principle: "Agriculture, landscapes, and agricultural ecosystems are special... Farmers can contribute to them in two ways: either through planned diversity—what all producers can do themselves by using different crops and breeds—or by helping landscape elements have flexible standards that work well with fertilization, water operation, and water protection through the inhibition of chemical leaching." What's Working and What Needs Improvement: Current Strategies Estonia has made strides with subsidies already in place to encourage ecological areas and sustainable management practices. These measures help preserve habitats and landscapes, but the roundtable highlighted the necessity for broader adoption of diverse landscape elements—not just herbaceous field margins. Ministry representatives highlighted current support measures: "The main emphasis of the CAP subsidies we have in the country is the sectoral development plan for agriculture and fisheries. For biodiversity, we require the preservation of permanent grasslands, prohibition of incineration of harvest waste, construction of buffer strips along watercourses, and the preservation of landscape elements." Research Insights: Natural Pest Control Professor Veromann shared significant research findings about rapeseed pests and their natural enemies, explaining the vital role of landscape diversity: "In very simple terrain landscapes, the smaller the diversity, the lesser the chances of organisms surviving in such a landscape. The benefits of nature are crucial—plant pest control, environmentally friendly natural damage, pollination, and erosion reduction." She highlighted a surprising discovery about parasitoids—natural enemies of crop pests: "The average rate of parasitism of the giant beetle in Estonia can reach up to sixty percent. Parasitoid populations are regulated by the abundance of their host beetles. When the level of parasitism consistently exceeds a certain threshold, such as two percent, it can significantly impact the host population. In areas where the parasitism rate of the giant beetle was over thirty-six percent, the population of these beetles was reduced by sixty percent the following year." Farmer Perspectives: Real-World Challenges Ott Läänemets shared practical insights about the challenges facing farmers regarding landscape elements: "We still need to make progress with landscape elements. Many landscape features are just piles of stones or soil that are pushed together. Farmers should be motivated to create a more diverse range in the field, but in a way that actually provides benefits." He emphasized flexibility's importance: "Farmers must see this for themselves and optimize their strategies to find solutions... Farmers should design landscape elements while considering our goal of making production more efficient. This doesn't necessarily conflict with environmental goals." Another farm organization representative shared an impactful experience: "Last year, there was one farmer who never used insect control as they relied entirely on natural methods. He disliked insect repellents. The predation was substantial, and all the stems were eaten. The most effective approach is to implement the right strategies that assist when chemical options aren’t available." Climate Change and Pest Dynamics: Emerging Effects Silva Vilumets from the Estonian University of Life Sciences emphasized how climate change affects pest patterns: "We have experienced significantly warmer springs, leading to earlier plant growth. Additionally, the soft ground, especially over large areas, results in decreased winter pest control. Over the past five to ten years, pest populations have risen above average levels." Looking Ahead: Collaborative Future The roundtable concluded with a shared commitment to ongoing collaboration among stakeholders. A ministry representative summarized: "We need two separate meetings here. One group should focus on plant protection products, plant health, and related insect issues. The other group should discuss landscape elements further. We’ll work on bringing together the right people for each discussion and develop more specific proposals." There was widespread consensus on the importance of evidence-based support and knowledge sharing between farmers, scientists, and policymakers. Emphasizing actionable data and insights for better decision-making will strengthen partnerships and promote sustainable agriculture across Estonia. Professor Veromann noted the success of the discussion: "I am glad that a substantive conversation has emerged. We need farmers, scientists, and policymakers working together to find practical solutions." The interplay between agriculture and biodiversity is vital and the roundtable showcased the ongoing value of this important discussion. The webinar ultimately emphasised the need for collaboration among all stakeholders to foster multi-benefit management of productive landscapes. For those interested in topics like these, check out our free webinars, which kick off with Transforming Agroecosystems Together  from 13-15 May 2025.

How can we make agriculture more resilient? H2020 FRAMEwork is a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation project exploring multi-benefit solutions to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services at a landscape level. Capitalising on biodiversity Capitalising on biodiversity Capitalising on biodiversity Exploring the benefit s of valuing biodiversity... with people across our food system. H2020 FRAMEwork A New Network The Framework project piloted a new network of Advanced Farmer Clusters across Europe and the UK. These Clusters across Europe were based on learnings from a successful network of over 100 in the UK, they supported farmers collectively achieving conservation and sustainability interventions important to them, and their regions. explore Joined-Up Thinking We used our Farmer Clusters as living labs for research-in-action insights. Research from the project spanned ecological and social sciences, exploring how people can be empowered to better manage biodiversity. explore Leveraging Technology We convened for nature through Citizen Science apps, community engagement approaches and innovative tools. We connected people with tech that helps them benefit from, and improve, biodiversity and ecosystem services in agricultural areas. explore Why is this important? Media Explore content from the project. Legacy guide View our legacy materials, and results from across the project, 2020-2025... explore Your platform Get Inspiration from our info hub, supporting agricultural stakeholders... explore About us Find out more about the project's consortium, participants and leadership... explore

Dr Paul van Rijn University of Amsterdam (UVA) Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) Read More Prof. Marika Mänd Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU) Read More Dr Aliyeh Salehi University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) Read More Thomas Rellensmann Osnabrück University (UOS) Read More Prof. Kathleen Lewis University of Hertfordshire (UOH) Read More Dr Carlos Sánchez Fundación Artemisan (FA) Read More Dr Roger Draycott Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Read More Prof. David Kleijn Wageningen University Read More Moritz Fritschle University of Osnabrück (UOB) Read More Dr Joan Masó The Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) Read More Julie Borg National Institute for Researching Agriculture and Environment (INRAE) Read More Dr Thomas Delattre National Institute for Researching Agriculture and Environment (INRAE) Read More Fanny Tran James Hutton Institute Read More Dr Andrew Green University of Hertfordshire (UOH) Read More Mark Young James Hutton Institute Read More Beatrix Keillor James Hutton Institute Read More Dr Sarah Vray Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) Read More Dr Simone Martino James Hutton Institute Read More Dr Marco Beyer Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) Read More Dahlia Domian International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) Read More Assoc. Prof. Lukas Zagata Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (CULS) Read More Jan Travnicek Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (CULS) Read More Adriana Clivillé, CREAF CREAF Read More Dr Bertrand Gauffre National Institute for Researching Agriculture and Environment (INRAE) Read More Dr Pierre Franck National Institute for Researching Agriculture and Environment (INRAE) Read More Raja Imran Hussain University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) Read More Doug Warner University of Hertfordshire (UOH) Read More Marie-Luise Wohlmuth University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) Read More Pauline L’hote National Institute for Researching Agriculture and Environment (INRAE) Read More Dr Eve Veromann Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU) Read More Clare Buckerfield FWAG UK, South West Read More Dr Benedetto Rugani Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) Read More Dr Claire Hardy James Hutton Institute Read More Marietta Metzker University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) Read More Dr Youri Martin Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) Read More Mrs Laurence Gerard Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) Read More Dr Iris C. Bohnet Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (CULS) Read More Dr Lisette Cantu Salazar Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) Read More Theodore Simmons Taskscape Associates Ltd Read More Dr. Raja Imran Hussain BOKU Read More Prof. Stefanie Engel Osnabrück University (UOS) Read More Gonzalo Varas Romero Fundación Artemisan (FA) Read More Dr Eha Kruus EMU Read More Dr Niamh McHugh Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Read More Emilie Trakalova No content yet. Please check back later! Read More Dr Graham Begg James Hutton Institute Read More Dr Gabriele Gollner University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) Read More Silva Sulg / Vilumets Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU) Read More Dr Riina Kaasik Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU) Read More Alastair Simmons Taskscape Associates Ltd Read More Ollie Lansdell Taskscape Associates Ltd Read More Alena Wranova Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Read More Louise Amand Capitals Coalition Read More Dr Arne Janssen University of Amsterdam (UVA) Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) Read More Dr. Vasileios P. Vasileiadis Syngenta Crop Protection AG Read More Constance Lausecker Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) Read More Prof. John Holland Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Read More Rachel Nichols Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust Read More Dr Malayka Picchi Sant'Anna School Of Advanced Studies, Pisa (SSSA) Read More Daniela Ablinger HBLFA Read More Eng. Xavier Mestdagh Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) Read More Martina Dürauer International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) Read More Luis Fernando Villanueva Fundación Artemisan (FA) Read More Dr Finn Danielsen Nordic Agency for Development and Ecology (NORDECO) Read More Dr Claire Lavigne National Institute for Researching Agriculture and Environment (INRAE) Read More Prof. Paolo Báberi Sant'Anna School Of Advanced Studies, Pisa (SSSA) Read More Moritz Fritschle Osnabrück University (UOS) Read More Professor Petr Sklenička Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (CULS) Read More Dr Fabian Thomas Osnabrück University (UOS) Read More Dr John Tzilivakis University of Hertfordshire (UOH) Read More Annie Flynn Taskscape Associates (TAL) Read More Dr Simone Marini Sant'Anna School Of Advanced Studies, Pisa (SSSA) Read More Assoc. Prof. Kristina Janeckova Molnarova Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (CULS) Read More Alexandra Georges-Picot Taskscape Associates Ltd Read More Jürgen Friedel University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) Read More Prof. Thomas Frank BOKU Read More Michael Køie Poulsen Nordic Agency for Development and Ecology (NORDECO) Read More Prof. Thomas Frank University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) Read More Dr Anna Camilla Moonen Sant'Anna School Of Advanced Studies, Pisa (SSSA) Read More Dr Rodolphe Sabatier National Institute for Researching Agriculture and Environment (INRAE) Read More Virginia Bagnoni Sant'Anna School Of Advanced Studies, Pisa (SSSA) Read More Dr Nicholas Aebischer Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Read More Gill Banks James Hutton Institute Read More Dr Iosif Mporas University of Hertfordshire (UOH) Read More Dr Steffen Fritz International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) Read More Ivelina Georgieva No content yet. Please check back later! Read More Dr Servane Penvern National Institute for Researching Agriculture and Environment (INRAE) Read More Ester Prat The Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) Read More Dr Walter Starz Agricultural Research and Education Centre Raumberg- Gumpenstein (HBLFA) Read More Jan Trávníček Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague (CULS) Read More Dr Gitte Kragh Nordic Agency for Development and Ecology (NORDECO) Read More Dr Cristina Domingo-Marimon The Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) Read More Gerid Hager International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) Read More Dr Juergen Friedel University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) Read More Francois Warlop Research Group in Organic Farming Read More Dr Ruggero Petacchi Sant'Anna School Of Advanced Studies, Pisa (SSSA) Read More Dr Douglas Warner University of Hertfordshire (UOH) Read More

Explore the different Work Packages that make up the H2020 FRAMEwork Project Associate Orgs Project Legacy Guide Access Work Package 1 Coordination + Communication Work Package 2 Advanced Farmer Clusters Work Package 3 Citizen Observatory + Information Hub Work Package 4 Agro-ecological Understanding Work Package 5 Biodiversity Management + Monitoring Work Package 6 Farmer Behaviour + Incentives Work Package 7 Systems Analysis + Synthesis Our Funding We received funding from H2020 research and innovation grant No. 862731.