Research project European-wide network of pilot farmers implementing and demonstrating climate smart solutions for a carbon neutral Europe

General introduction

How can we, in as many as 28 European countries, incrementally stimulate the knowledge and adoption of "climate smart" farming practices and solutions? That is the central action-research question of the Climate Farm Demo project. Specifically, the partners are aiming for a network of pioneering 1,500 pilot farms. The farms participate in various knowledge exchange activities and the set of workable climate smart solutions is then further disseminated in their local farming community through peer-to-peer learning. Climate Farm Demo is an ambitious international DEMO project that brings together the (persuasive) power of farms together with specialized researchers around implementation of appropriate, climate-resilient practices.

Research approach

Advisors guide the 1500 pilot demonstration farmers to apply climate adaptation and mitigation measures on their farms, and to monitor the measures in terms of impact. The pilot farmers in turn demonstrate both technical and social innovations to a wider group of farmers, in 6 interactive demonstration campaigns. We also allow new new and innovative climate smart solutions to emerge, through co-creation in 10 living labs across Europe.

Relevance/Valorization

With the adaptations to existing agricultural production systems promoted here, the project helps advance EU strategic plans, namely the plan around a carbon-neutral agricultural sector by 2050 and the EU climate strategy. An accessible toolbox of models, methods and instruments emerges, based on findings of the network. To further stimulate the adoption of climate smart solutions by the agricultural community, this project also identifies and demonstrates a set of potential public and private rewarding systems. With built-in strategic collaboration with other relevant projects and initiatives and with policy makers working around these issues, we expect the insights from this project to be widely disseminated. Wide communication is a priority at the EU and national levels.

Financing

EU Horizon Europe