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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.

This year, the Ecosystem Services Partnership  held its fifth European Conference   in Wageningen, Netherlands, 18-22nd November. The conference convened around the theme “Ecosystem Services: One Planet, One Health,” highlighting the interdependence of human, ecosystem and planetary health. An attendee learns about Recodo | © Taskscape FRAMEwork and its outputs had a strong presence at the conference - expanded since our previous attendance in 2022. Representatives of the project shared research and insights and promoted our knowledge and action platform Recodo .   ESP is a global network that connects ecosystem services scientists and other important stakeholders on different topics and at different scales, from regional to international. At the Wageningen conference, around 500 people from across Europe gathered to enjoy various knowledge exchange and networking activities. A high volume schedule of presentation and poster sessions throughout the week was supplemented by networking opportunities, field trips, and workshops on key topics, including salsa dancing for the bravest attendees! “ESP stands out as one of my favourite events, offering a unique sense of community that brings together researchers from diverse disciplines to deepen our understanding of how nature supports human well-being … Two sessions that particularly caught my interest explored advancements in artificial intelligence for ecosystem services and the complexities of interregional ecosystem service flows. These sessions underscored the transformative potential of AI in environmental management and the critical need to consider international dependencies in sustainability efforts.” ~ Claudio Pettuco, Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology   Project researchers giving presentations | © Taskscape The conference featured a range of insightful presentations exploring innovative approaches to natural capital, biodiversity, AI and sustainable land use. FRAMEwork research was presented in various sessions - Simone Martino from Hutton discussed the integration of natural capital into policymaking and the role of wellbeing and natural capital indicators in advancing a “One Health” approach. Claudio Pettuccio from LIST presented on the use of advanced modelling techniques for sustainability assessments in agriculture. Gerid Hager from IIASA highlighted bottom-up pathways for engaging farmers in biodiversity and ecosystem service observation, while Niamh McHugh of GWCT shared insights on monitoring farmland bird species in the UK. Although Iris Bohnet of CULS was unable to attend, her presentation on co-designing strategies for biodiversity-sensitive farming across Europe was covered in her absence by Niamh McHugh. “I have been impressed how The Ecosystem Services Partnership Conference 2024 has catalysed energies and efforts to deal with the implementation of the Ecosystem Services concept in environmental governance. A dedicated session to “Ecosystem Services concept in science, policy and practice” gathered an exceptional presence of researchers and practitioners operating at the science-policy interface to present and discuss how to breach barriers and mainstream the Ecosystem Services and Natural Capital approaches in national and local policies.” ~ Simone Martino, The James Hutton Institute  Slide announcing the winner of the Video Abstracts prize | © Taskscape FRAMEwork partner Taskscape  was a sponsoring organisation of the conference and arranged the opportunity to promote Recodo for the duration of the week via a dedicated booth featuring flyers and a live demo. Recodo work package lead Gerid Hager and Taskscape attendees enjoyed the opportunity to spend time talking to conference attendees about the platform. As part of this in-kind arrangement, Taskscape provided media coverage around the conference, including interviewing leadership team members and keynote speakers and delivering a well-attended workshop for researchers on Video Abstract s . Taskscape offered a prize of a free edit for the best Video Abstract covering a topic suitable for Recodo, announced at the final award ceremony. “The ESP Community is always fantastic to engage with. From early career researchers to experienced experts, the conference’s interdisciplinary makeup and coverage of leading-edge topics make it a stimulating center of discussion and progress on important issues. It was a privilege for Taskscape to engage researchers on media communication techniques as well as interview leaders in different fields. The chance to create an opportunity to invite knowledge sharing around Recodo was fantastic as the project enters its final year and consolidates impacts”. ~ Theo Simmons, Taskscape Associates From the wide-ranging and enriching conversations held with visitors at the Recodo booth, to the knowledge exchange taking place across sessions, overall ESP 2024 provided an enlivening opportunity for learning and connections with international colleagues. The project looks forward to building on these interactions and forging new knowledge exchange collaborations through its final year.

Thoughts from Alastair Simmons, Deputy Project Coordinator and Communications Lead, Taskscape, at the project's online Kick-Off Meeting... Stock | WIX When we all launched the FRAMEwork project, we knew we faced a fundamental challenge: how do we inform lasting change in European farming systems? Reflecting on Taskscape's role supporting the project, and as a fellow of the UK's RSA , I've recently been reading their interesting report, 'A Stitch in Time: Realising the value of futures and foresight'. This report offers a crucial insight: the way we think about and communicate our future directly shapes how we act in the present. For FRAMEwork, this means we can't simply document what's happening in our Advanced Farmer Clusters or Citizen Observatory areas. We need to actively help inform new narratives about collective land management, biodiversity-sensitive farming, and the power of community-driven change. As the report starkly puts it, if we're not enabling a thriving future on our planet today, we're colonising our own tomorrow. Breaking the Short-Term Trap One of our biggest challenges is overcoming the incentives that drive short-termism in agriculture. Farmers face immediate pressures – market demands, weather uncertainties, regulatory requirements. Yet biodiversity loss and ecosystem destabilisation demands long-term thinking and action. Our solution is to develop communication strategies with and for the project that make challenges immediately relevant. To show how engaging with biodiversity can help farmers feel more connected to their land and communities right now – being supported, not blamed, as my fellow speaker today Jess Brooks (GWCT) aptly put it when discussing the successes of the UK Farmer Cluster Network on which we're all building. As a research-in action-project, FRAMEwork isn't simply producing reports for academic audiences. We're building what I call a "dynamic conversation" – not just information transfer, but genuine participation and application. This means: Telling fresh stories  about collective approaches to land management through our farmer clusters Creating accessible tools  and training modules that speak directly to farmers' needs Building bridges  between citizen science, data sharing, and practical farming decisions Exploring "futures literacy"  across all our stakeholder groups. Alastair presenting to the project's virtual Kick-Off Meeting | Taskscape Two Truths in Tension There's a paradox we have to embrace: successful projects need both rigorous documentation of what they're doing (a traditional approach) AND active creation of discourse (a dynamic approach). Like a sign that says "Do Not Read This Sign," these two needs can often feel in opposition. Our approach in WP1 is to help build parallel, interconnected, project workflows: Project Management systems support rigorous documentation, data integrity, and scientific validity Communications, Knowledge Exchange and Participation focuses on story-telling, and building out collective impacts Both are essential, and will help us achieve our ambitious goal of prototyping collective approaches to biodiversity-sensitive farming systems across Europe. What This Means in Practice As we move forward, you'll see FRAMEwork: Hosting participatory workshops that challenge conventional thinking about farm management Developing multimedia content that brings farmer experiences to life Creating platforms for genuine dialogue between scientists, farmers, and citizens Building tools that help all stakeholders think beyond immediate constraints Taskscape is currently preparing a dedicated virtual co-working platform for the project to best support your work, as internal communications is also vital. An Invitation to Shape the Future The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us both our societal vulnerabilities and our remarkable capacity for collective action. Individual behavior changes, when multiplied across communities, can have enormous impacts. FRAMEwork is harnessing this same principle for biodiversity conservation - to not just study futures for European farming, but actively pilot them. And we'll need diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences to ensure the futures we're exploring are ones that our stakeholders find useful. Whether you're a farmer wondering about sustainable practices, a citizen interested in biodiversity, or a researcher exploring new approaches, FRAMEwork is creating spaces for your contribution. Because as researchers continue to show me - thinking about the future isn't just an academic exercise, it's about taking action today to choose a better world, so that tomorrow those options, ecosystems and choices aren't gone. Alastair Simmons is WP1 lead for Communications, Knowledge Exchange and Participation at partner Taskscape Associates. He became the project's Deputy Coordinator in 2023, following Dr Benedetto Ruggani's transition from project partner LIST to Italy's National Research Council (CNR). For more on getting involved with FRAMEwork's activities, contact us .

On a warm Friday morning in late June, the historic Monte Pisano Oil Mill in Vicopisano opened its doors to a gathering of researchers, local producers, and community leaders for an event that aimed to strengthen connections across various sectors regionally. Explore the event program in English and Italian here . Courtesy © Frantoio del Monte Pisano Vicopisano The conference, titled 'Activities and Networks of Monte Pisano Between Present and Future' brought together diverse local actors united by a shared goal - preserving and revitalizing the Monte Pisano territory. The event was organized by Dr Camilla Moonen at partner Scuola Sant'Anna in collaboration with local organisations, with its development supported by Taskscape as part of the project's stakeholder engagement event series . This multi-sectoral gathering attracted consumers interested in olive oil quality, territorial development professionals, and community leaders focused on sustainable tourism and cultural heritage preservation. This diversity highlighted the conference’s holistic approach to addressing the environmental, agricultural and social challenges facing the Monte Pisano region. At the June 27 event, project researchers mingled with hands-on olive producers and millers - while local government representatives connected with community cooperatives and business networks, and the Natural History Museum offered cultural and educational insights. Specialised entities, such as the Monte Pisano Forest Community and the Agroecology Office, also shared expertise on sustainable land management. Exploring The Program To kick off, Dr Camilla Moonen from the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies welcomed participants, introducing FRAMEwork's activities and results. This opening set a collaborative tone for the conference. What followed was a series of presentations, painting a vivid picture of the unique challenges and opportunities in this area of Tuscany. Olive Oil and Sustainable Practices Val Graziosa Cluster Farmer Francesco Elter presented on the 'Monti Pisani Olive Road.' His emphasis on the mantra that "good oil comes from good olives" resonated with many and underscored the importance of nurturing natural resources and ensuring quality throughout the production process. Another key moment came from Fabio Mencarelli of the Municipality of Calci. He addressed the issue of olive grove abandonment threatening Monte Pisano. His strategies for mitigation sparked animated discussions during coffee breaks, where participants exchanged contacts and ideas. Payment for Ecosystem Services Mario Pestarini from the Monti Pisani Business Network concluded the morning's presentations with an introduction to Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes. His talk illustrated a collaborative approach to incentivising biodiversity production and conservation. Many participants saw ways these mechanisms could support the community valuing and protecting its natural heritage. Interactive Working Groups After a light lunch featuring local products, the conference moved into a more interactive phase. Two working groups engaged deeply with practical solutions. The first group focused on PES as a development tool, while the second aimed to strengthen collaboration among olive oil producers, millers, and consumers. The insightful exchanges during these sessions emphasized the importance of cooperation in achieving sustainable development goals. Building Connections for a Sustainable Future As the day came to a close, a palpable sense of momentum filled the room. The vision offered by Forest Community attendees , 'Shared Roots for a Shared Future,' resonated strongly. Participants departed with new knowledge and connections as well as emerging action plans - to help pave the way for future opportunities and ensure that the region's local natural and cultural heritage is preserved for generations to come through better biodiversity management. Don’t forget you can follow the activities of the region's pilot project Farmer Cluster, Val Graziosa, via Recodo and its YouTube channel.

Building on learnings from the UK's Cluster Network, with GWCT's Jess Brooks... Jess Brooks (left) receiving a biodiversity monitoring award | Courtesy: GWCT At the H2020 FRAMEwork project kick-off meeting, Jess Brooks, Farmland Biodiversity Advisor at project partner the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), delivered a compelling presentation that cut straight to the heart of agricultural biodiversity challenges. Speaking from her family farm on the Isle of Wight, Brooks brought a unique perspective shaped by her dual background in farming, science and conservation. You can watch videos featuring key sections of her talk on this site's media page . The Human Dimension of Farmer Clusters Brooks manages two farmer clusters in the UK, and her opening message was clear: "We must remember that these clusters are made up of people and no two people are the same." This seemingly simple observation underpins a fundamental challenge in biodiversity conservation efforts. The term "farmer" itself, Brooks explained, encompasses an extraordinarily diverse group. Her clusters include everyone from a Monaco-based stockbroker who owns a farm but contracts out all the work, to a Dorset farmer managing 400 hectares of mixed livestock alone on just four hours of sleep per night. While both may share similar conservation goals, the approaches needed to engage them effectively differ dramatically. Breaking Down Barriers of Distrust One of the most significant obstacles Brooks identified is the profound absence of trust between farmers and external entities—whether government bodies, environmental organisations, or the public. This distrust is compounded by overwhelmingly negative discourse around farming and the environment. Current agri-environmental schemes, she noted, fail on multiple fronts. They don't provide adequate financial incentives, lack proper monitoring systems, and crucially, offer little positive feedback or encouragement. "Farmers in that kind of setting will never be inspired to do more if they feel unappreciated and persecuted," Brooks emphasised. The administrative burden is crushing. Farmers navigate a maze of rules, inspections, payment delays, and heavy paperwork while facing pressure from all sides. Conservation becomes yet another item on an already overwhelming list of demands. The Farmer Cluster Revolution Here's where farmer clusters offer a transformative alternative. Rather than imposing top-down directives, clusters function as enablers, creating bottom-up support networks where farmers choose their own trusted environmental advisers and work collaboratively with neighbours. Brooks stressed that this approach is essential because "wildlife doesn't need boundaries" and "rivers run through more than one farm." Individual farm-level conservation, while valuable, has inherent limitations. Landscape-scale cooperation is not just beneficial—it's necessary. Understanding Motivations and Values Brooks provided crucial insights into what drives farmers. Their core values include pride in land stewardship, quality food production, business success, respect for tradition, and deep knowledge of their local landscapes. Many have witnessed wildlife declines in their lifetimes and genuinely want to reverse these trends. However, economic realities cannot be ignored. "You don't become a food producer to get rich," Brooks noted, adding that farmers often say they "struggle to be green if their bank statement is in the red." The health of the farm business directly impacts capacity for environmental action. Learnings for FRAMEwork Brooks's key recommendation for the FRAMEwork project was both simple and profound: "Forget the outcomes that you want and start with the farmers, understand their psychology!" Success depends on identifying both barriers and motivations, building trust, and forming genuine relationships. The farmer cluster model demonstrates how shifting from a punitive, top-down approach to an enabling, supportive framework can transform negative attitudes into positive action. By creating mini-communities based on trust, support, and shared knowledge, clusters help farmers move from isolated struggle to collaborative success. As FRAMEwork develops its co-designed approaches and tests biodiversity measures across its network of sites, Brooks's message is clear: successful biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes requires more than scientific knowledge and policy directives. It demands genuine understanding of and partnership with the people who manage the land. This transformation Brooks describes as possible, from isolated, pressured individuals to supported, collaborative communities offers hope for achieving FRAMEwork's ambitious goals. By starting with farmers rather than outcomes, and by building trust rather than imposing requirements, the project can pilot change that benefits both biodiversity and farming communities. Jess Brooks is a Farmland Biodiversity Advisor at project partner the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT). The FRAMEwork project aims to support better biodiversity management across European agricultural landscapes through approaches co-designed with farmers and land managers. Contact us to learn more and get involved!

British Ecological Symposium explores project topics... Members of FRAMEwork recently attended the British Ecological Society's 2025 symposium "Nature, Farming and Food: How we value our land," held on June 19-20 in Oxford. This two-day event, organized in partnership with TABLE, the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery and the Agile Initiative, aimed to explore the environmental impacts of food production by bringing together scientists, farmers, policymakers and the public to find solutions. © BES 2025 The symposium program was structured around four core themes, valuing farming, biodiversity, food and knowledge. Key questions addressed included: "What does a just transition to ecologically-friendly farming look like?" and "Does sustainable food production at home mean biodiversity loss elsewhere?" The event featured both keynotes from invited speakers as well as talks and posters from attendees from around the world. Notable keynote speakers included Tony Juniper CBE, Chair of Natural England and a prominent environmental figure with four decades of experience including roles at Friends of the Earth, WWF-UK, and as advisor to HRH The Prince of Wales. Kath Dalmeny, Chief Executive of Sustain, an alliance for better food and farming, also spoke, bringing insights from her work on initiatives like Good Food for London and Beyond the Food Bank reports. Representatives from The Food Foundation and other organisations contributed to the cross-sector dialogue, with presentations from attending researchers including the project's Trinity Ndlovu (James Hutton Institute). Work Package Two 'Advanced Farmer Cluster Network' Lead Dr Niamh McHugh also attended (Game and Wildlife Trust). Both report that it was a great opportunity to network and explore project topics. FRAMEwork has been actively researching and piloting initiatives around these issues for almost five years. So If you would like to dive into our activity and perspectives on valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services in agriculture, we warmly invite you to explore our hub , project publications and media . Overall, the symposium emphasized collaboration and dialogue, with sessions designed to give delegates actionable insights to implement in their sectors for transforming agricultural systems. Attending this conference as a knowledge exchange opportunity formed part of the ongoing events series associated with our Recodo platform , to share key activity and outputs with stakeholders.

Moritz Fritschle shares insights from project research on behavioral factors in agri-environmental program design. Project researcher Moritz Fritschle, third from left | Credit: Katrin Wientges The ÖkoProg Live Event 2025 brought together leading voices in sustainable agriculture and environmental policy, providing a platform for innovative research and evidence-based solutions. Among the notable presentations was the contribution from Moritz Fritschle, who shared insights from his work within the H2020 FRAMEwork project, focusing on the crucial role of behavioral factors in agri-environmental program design. Fritschle, a PhD student in environmental economics at the Institute for Environmental Systems Research (IUSF) at the University of Osnabrück, presented research that bridges the gap between theoretical policy design and practical farmer implementation. His work within the FRAMEwork project explores how understanding farmers' identities and behavioral motivations can significantly improve the effectiveness of agri-environmental programs. The ÖkoProg Live Event, organized by the Öko-Progressives Netzwerk e.V. (Eco-Progressive Network), proved to be an ideal venue for this type of interdisciplinary research. The organization, which describes itself as promoting "sustainability without 'the good old days,'" focuses on evidence-based environmental solutions that serve as an interface between scientific findings, social debate, economic implementation, and political work. Mortiz reports that: "I am really greatful that I could present my work from FRAMEwork at the ÖkoProg Live Event. Why behavioural factors such as farmers' identities should be taken into account when designing agri-environmental programmes was a complement to the great talks before on topics like agrobiodiversity in landscapes and new approaches to food production". Fritschle's presentation on behavioral factors in agricultural policy design complemented the event's broader focus on agrobiodiversity and innovative food production approaches. His research emphasized why traditional top-down policy approaches often fall short when they fail to account for the complex decision-making processes of individual farmers. The FRAMEwork project's approach, as presented by Fritschle, represents a growing recognition within environmental policy circles that successful biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture programs must account for the human element. By understanding how farmers perceive themselves, their role in the landscape, and their relationship with environmental stewardship, policy makers can design more effective and widely adopted programs. This behavioral economics perspective aligns perfectly with the ÖkoProg network's mission of developing science-based transformation strategies for a sustainable future. The organization's focus on making scientific findings comprehensible and developing them through inclusive discussion creates an ideal environment for research like Fritschle's, which seeks to translate complex behavioral insights into practical policy applications. The ÖkoProg Live Event 2025 demonstrated the value of bringing together researchers, policy makers, and practitioners to discuss the multifaceted challenges of sustainable agriculture. Fritschle's contribution from the FRAMEwork project highlighted how European research initiatives are advancing our understanding of the intersection between human behavior and environmental outcomes. The event's emphasis on evidence-based approaches to sustainability, combined with its focus on practical implementation, provided an ideal platform for sharing the FRAMEwork project's insights on how behavioral considerations can enhance the design and effectiveness of agri-environmental programs across Europe.

New Publications Showcase the Power of Citizen Science in Nature Management... New project-supported reports from FRAMEwork partner NORDECO demonstrate how local knowledge and citizen engagement are informing conservation practices across the Arctic Still from a video below by the Bill Sutherland’s Conservation Concepts YouTube channel In an era where environmental challenges demand innovative solutions, two publications from our partner NORDECO, co-authored by project participant Finn Danielsen, are helping to chart a new course for nature management in the Arctic. These reports reveal how citizen involvement isn't just beneficial but can be central to creating sustainable, effective conservation strategies that work for both people and nature. Local Voices, Global Impact The first report, "Strengthened locally based monitoring and management of living resources in the Arctic,"  presents a compelling narrative of how communities across Norway, Iceland, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands are revolutionizing nature management through citizen participation. Drawing from a workshop held in Sandavágur, Faroe Islands, in May 2024, and informed by in-depth discussions with local hunters across four settlements, the report demonstrates how local knowledge can do more than just fill data gaps. It can fundamentally improve the quality of environmental decision-making. Where centralised authorities might overlook crucial observations, local citizens can provide eyes and ears on the ground, capturing nuances that come from daily living alongside the nature around them. Why Local Involvement Matters The report's findings are particularly striking in the context of the Faroe Islands, where nature is more than a resource and is woven into the cultural fabric of identity and tradition. Citizen dialogue proved invaluable in addressing modern challenges around the islands - like speedboat traffic impacts on wildlife, and respecting traditional practices around seabird hunting. Key insights from the report include: Enhanced decision-making quality  through observations that might otherwise go unnoticed Greater legitimacy and ownership  of resource management decisions within communities Improved resilience  in facing environmental and economic challenges The critical need  for long-term frameworks, capacity-building, and technical support for local monitoring systems A Practical Roadmap for Change The second publication, "Guidance for strengthening citizen involvement in the management of nature in the Arctic,"  moves from theory to practice, offering a concrete five-step model for implementing community-based monitoring and management: Identify responsible authorities  for coordinating citizen involvement Hold public meetings  to explore how local knowledge can contribute to management Establish locally based monitoring  through citizen science initiatives Support continued engagement  with formalized cooperation mechanisms Link local efforts to global goals  by integrating community data into UN biodiversity monitoring This strategic framework transforms the concept of citizen science from an abstract ideal into an actionable plan. In the Faroe Islands, the guide showcases how hunters, landowners, communities, and authorities can collaborate to share valuable insights on everything from bird populations to hunting patterns, helping to create more legitimate and effective management practices. By participating directly in nature management, Arctic communities can enhance both their economic sustainability and environmental stewardship, gaining: better data quality through continuous local observation, increased community buy-in for conservation measures, more adaptive and responsive management strategies and stronger connections between traditional knowledge and modern science. A Collaborative Achievement The work represents a collaborative effort, led by the University of the Faroe Islands, Umhvørvisstovan staff, and NORDECO, working in close dialogue with Jagtforeningen Lonin on Sandoy. The project received support from multiple sources, including The Nordic Council of Ministers' Working Group for Biodiversity, The UArctic Thematic Network on Collaborative Resource Management and the EU Commission through the H2020 FRAMEwork project, European Citizen Science, and more4nature initiatives. Looking Forward: Recommendations for a Sustainable Arctic The publications conclude with actionable recommendations that could help improve nature management and conservation in the Artic, to: Strengthen shared Nordic experiences  through cross-border collaboration Ensure better data sharing  and public engagement mechanisms Establish formalized cooperation models  between authorities and local actors Build long-term support structures  for community-based monitoring These steps are building blocks for securing a sustainable future for the Arctic, where local communities are empowered as active stewards of their natural heritage. Join the Conversation As one local participant noted in the project discussions, "We cannot make a plan for the future because it's so unpredictable." This uncertainty makes citizen involvement not just valuable, but vital. By combining traditional knowledge with modern science, and local observations with global monitoring systems, people can build more resilient, adaptive approaches to conservation that truly work for Arctic communities and ecosystems. These publications from NORDECO and project participant Finn Danielsen demonstrate how the path to sustainable conservation runs through local communities. When citizens become scientists, and traditional knowledge meets modern monitoring, we create powerful synergies that benefit everyone - from local people to global sustainability and conservation goals. The FRAMEwork project has supported innovative approaches to biodiversity monitoring and citizen science across Europe. Explore more updates on how local knowledge can improve nature management and conservation.

NORDECO publish project-funded papers on how to engage citizens... A person participating in Citizen Science | Unsplash As part of the H2020 FRAMEwork project, our partner NORDECO has contributed to three significant publications released by the Nordic Council of Ministers that generally showcase the vital role of citizen science and community-based monitoring and offer specific guidance for Arctic biodiversity conservation. The Arctic region faces unprecedented environmental challenges, from climate change impacts to biodiversity loss. Recognizing that effective conservation requires local engagement, NORDECO researchers Finn Danielsen and Gitte Kragh have been instrumental in developing practical resources that empower Arctic communities to participate actively in environmental monitoring and management. These publications demonstrate how citizen science can bridge the gap between scientific research and community action, creating more resilient and informed approaches to biodiversity conservation. 1. Practical Guidelines for Arctic Citizen Engagement (2025) The publication " Vejledning til styrkelse af borgerinddragelse i forvaltning af naturen i Arktis " (Guidelines for strengthening citizen involvement in nature management in the Arctic) provides hands-on guidance for Arctic countries. Co-authored by Ólavsdóttir, Magnussen, Hammer, Enghoff, Joensen, and Danielsen, this Scandinavian-language resource (TemaNord2025-543) offers practical strategies for integrating local communities into environmental governance processes. 2. Strengthening Local Monitoring Systems (2025) " Styrket lokalt baseret monitering og forvaltning af levende ressourcer i Arktis " (Strengthened locally-based monitoring and management of living resources in the Arctic) presents Nordic Arctic lessons on community-based environmental monitoring. This publication (TemaNord2025-525) shares successful approaches and methodologies that have proven effective across the Nordic Arctic region. 3. Joint Nordic Biodiversity Efforts (2024) The "Joint Nordic Effort for Biodiversity" report represents a collaborative voice from Nordic NGOs to their governments. This publication (TemaNord2024-539) specifically addresses how to involve citizens in monitoring progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Agreement, connecting local actions to global biodiversity commitments. FRAMEwork's Mission These publications directly support FRAMEwork's objectives in Work Package 3, particularly: Task 3.3 : Designing and implementing citizen science monitoring campaigns with the wider public Task 3.4 : Building networks with existing citizen observatory initiatives Along with IIASA, through WP3 coordination, NORDECO helps support successful citizen science approaches on the project align with farmer and expert monitoring efforts, creating a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring framework. Real-World Impact You can follow FRAMEwork's Citizen Science activities here and on Recodo's Farmer Cluster stories , shared directly by Cluster Facilitators. NORDECO's work also extends beyond these activities and publications. The team actively engages with: The European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) Working Group on Agri-Food The Danish Universities' START Centre for Sustainable Agrifood Systems The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council on citizen science integration Danish NGOs on environmental development strategies Access the Publications Vejledning til styrkelse af borgerinddragelse i forvaltning af naturen i Arktis Styrket lokalt baseret monitering og forvaltning af levende ressourcer i Arktis Joint Nordic Effort for Biodiversity

The Basse-Durcance Farmer Cluster goes to bat for the bats! © INRAE/GRAB On June 28th, INRAE & Grab gathered some Framework Cluster farmers with their advisors (GRCeta) to teach them about bat observation with an endoscopic camera. Farmers were invited to observe bat boxes during summer, before the apple harvest. Boxes were installed in orchards in 2022 , to help arborists reduce the number of insecticides through the bats carrying out natural pest control. Farmers were each given an individual dossier with their specific maps and sheets for easy monitoring and reporting. Occupancy monitoring is carried out in the autumn to assess the level of presence of pipistrelles (mainly) in the environment and the interest of these shelters. Having bats actively hunting in orchards provides several functional benefits to the ecosystem. Bats are useful animals for farmers, because they consume a lot of insect crop pests. As natural pest controllers they feed on insects like moths, beetles, and other agricultural pests that can damage crops. By preying on these pests, bats help to reduce the need for chemical pesticides, promoting environmentally friendly farming practices. Additionally, their presence enhances pollination as bats are known to visit flowers and assist in the reproduction of fruit trees. Their nocturnal foraging behavior also complements the diurnal activities of other pollinators, ensuring continuous pollination throughout the day and optimizing fruit yield. Overall, bats play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced and healthy orchard ecosystem and INRAE & Grab believe that if farmers see bats chasing through in their orchards for themselves, they will think about reducing pesticide pressure. © INRAE/GRAB You can learn more about the project's Basse-Durance Farmer Cluster in France and follow their activities on our platform for Clusters .