Reforest project

Financing Agroforestry: Exploring Diverse Financing Schemes for Sustainable Land Use
2024-11-19 14:00 - 15:30 UTC
EMEA SIDE-EVENT AT COP29
Nov 19 @ 14:00 – 15:30 CET; 17:00 – 18:30 AZT
We are excited to announce the participation of ReForest in the upcoming COP29 side-event on Agroforestry financing organised by EMEA.
Agroforestry integrates trees and shrubs into farming landscapes, offering vital benefits for the environment, economy, and society. Despite its value in enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, boosting crop resilience, sequestering carbon, and creating sustainable livelihoods, widespread adoption of agroforestry remains limited, largely due to financial constraints.
This event will explore innovative financing schemes tailored to agroforestry’s unique characteristics and long-term needs. It will feature discussions on successful case studies, highlight both public and private financing approaches, and encourage dialogue on how to expand investment in agroforestry globally.
Moderator of the discussion will be Yeganeh Forouheshfar, Senior Researcher, Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association (EMEA).
Panel:

Tiago Zibecchi, Researcher at the Euro-Mediterranean Economists Association
Enrique Doblas, Ecology researcher, transfer officer, consultant at CREAF
Martin Lukac, Professor, The Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Coordinator of the ReForest project
Hafsa El Bekri, Advocacy and Executive Strategy Senior Associate, Positive Agenda
Marek Chalupnik, Co-Founder & COO at DeepRoots
Gerry Lawson, Policy Officer at EURAF
Andrea Casadesús, BETA Technological Center and Coordinator of BETA Research Group

Key Themes include:

Economic & Environmental Benefits of Agroforestry: Dual roles of agroforestry in biodiversity, climate resilience, and economic returns.
Public & Private Financing Models: Government subsidies, grants, green bonds, and carbon credits.
Impact Investing & Blended Finance: De-risking investments while achieving financial, social, and environmental outcomes.
Smallholder Access to Finance: Microfinancing, cooperatives, and community-based models for small farmers.
Innovative Financial Tools: Payment for ecosystem services (PES), carbon financing, agroforestry insurance, and sustainability-linked loans.
Challenges & Opportunities for Scaling: Overcoming barriers to scale, including long-term investment needs and regulatory frameworks.

For online participation:
Enter the Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88382421129?pwd=[REDACTED]
Access Code: [REDACTED]

High-level dialogue on scaling up agroforestry
2024-11-07 09:30 - 16:30 UTC
November 7 @ 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Recklinghausen, Germany
Agroforestry systems are increasingly recognized for their numerous benefits. These systems enhance agricultural structural and biodiversity, support food and raw material production, and aid in climate adaptation.
Given the significant loss of biodiversity and the rise in extreme weather events, agriculture needs sustainable solutions. Agroforestry systems offer such a solution by combining woody plants with arable crops and/or livestock on the same land. These systems can vary greatly in species composition and management practices, making them versatile and beneficial as a land-use system.
This conference will highlight the diversity of agroforestry systems, demonstrating their impact on biodiversity, water balance, and CO2 storage capacity. Additionally, discussions will address the marketing of agroforestry products. Insights from other European countries will underscore the relevance and importance of agroforestry as a land-use system beyond national borders.
During the event, ReForest Project will be presented by UBO.
Agroforstsysteme – Was sie für Naturschutz und Landwirtschaft leisten können (nua.nrw)

Webinar: Agroforestry Research and the ReForest Project
2024-10-28 17:30 - 18:30 UTC
online
Join our UK partners for an insightful webinar as we take a deep dive into the ReForest Project, focusing on how agroforestry can support the UK food system and drive sustainability. This event will provide valuable insights into the latest innovations, tools, and strategies that are shaping a resilient agricultural future.
Drawing on ReForest’s research and Living Labs data, the webinar will highlight how agroforestry plays a vital role in achieving net-zero goals, and will introduce powerful digital tools designed to model and assess agroforestry’s performance on farms.

Key topics and themes include:

Agroforestry’s Contribution to Net-Zero: you will get a chance to discover how agroforestry can help achieve climate goals and support environmental sustainability.
Knowledge Infrastructure: learn about the evolution of agroforestry’s knowledge base.
UK Living Lab: an in-depth look at ReForest’s UK-based Living Lab and its contribution to agroforestry research.
FarmTree Tool: explore how to model agroforestry performance, providing actionable insights for improving farm management.
Sustainability Assessments: an insight into the Public Goods Tool, used to assess agroforestry’s contribution to sustainability across various dimensions.

Speakers:

Tom Staton, University of Reading
Will Simonson, Organic Research Centre

Both speakers will share insights from the ReForest project and provide examples of how agroforestry practices can be successfully implemented to support sustainable food systems and farming resilience.
Register now via this LINK to secure your spot!
Further details regarding event access will be shared following registration.
To ensure your participation, register now and secure your spot by completing the simple registration form. Following your registration, further details pertaining to event access will be shared.
We are looking forward to your participation!

MAIA Policy Roundtable & Workshop: The Role of Regions in Sustainable Food Systems Transformation
2024-10-08 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Ambiorix Center, Brussels, Belgium/online
As part of the 22nd European Week of Regions and Cities, the MAIA Project is organizing a Policy Roundtable and Workshop on October 8, 2024, focusing on the critical role of the global food sector in addressing greenhouse gas emissions. This hybrid event will spotlight the progress of regions in promoting shorter supply chains and sustainable food systems, as part of the broader efforts to combat climate change.
While the EU has made significant progress in reducing emissions across various sectors, the food sector lags behind. It is essential to deliver effective policies that address this gap, promote food security, and reduce harmful emissions. This event will explore these challenges and showcase best practices from regions leading the way in sustainable food transformation.
Key Workshop Objectives:

Understand the impacts of sustainable agri-food transformation on climate and biodiversity.
Explore EU policies and initiatives, such as the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the EU Farm-to-Fork Strategy.
Facilitate knowledge exchange and best practices for sustainable food systems.
Address the environmental and social impacts of promoting sustainable food systems.
Develop actionable recommendations to support sustainable food systems at regional, national, and EU levels.
Foster collaboration among stakeholders for stronger local and regional policies.
Showcase MAIA’s tools and services that support the transition to sustainable food systems.

This event will bring together regional representatives, experts, and stakeholders to share insights on these critical topics. The roundtable will be followed by a participatory workshop where citizens will have the opportunity to propose solutions for promoting local products and advancing territorially tailored policies.
Sign up for the event HERE

ReForest Project will be Presented at the MICEB 2024 Conference in Montenegro
2024-09-12 09:00 - 2024-09-13 14:00 UTC
We are excited to announce the participation of ReForest in the upcoming MICEB 2024 Conference, organised under the framework of the CROSS REISS Project. The conference will be held in Montenegro, bringing together experts, researchers, and professionals to explore impactful solutions for sustainable agriculture and forestry in Europe.
Yeganeh Forouheshfar, Senior Researcher at EMEA, will represent the ReForest Project, delivering a presentation on “Impact Financing Schemes to Promote Regenerative Agroforestry Business in Europe: The Contribution of the ReForest Project.” This presentation will delve into the advancements made by the ReForest Project in developing financing models that encourage regenerative agroforestry practices across Europe. These models aim to support sustainable land management, increase biodiversity, and enhance economic resilience for farmers and communities.
The MICEB 2024 Conference provides a unique opportunity for networking among project partners, fellow speakers, and researchers and is an excellent opportunity for ReForest to showcase its ongoing work and build collaborations that promote agroforestry as a transformative solution for sustainable landscapes.
Key Themes of the Conference Include:

Impact Financing for Sustainable Agriculture: Innovative financing mechanisms and investment opportunities to support regenerative agriculture and agroforestry.
Regenerative Agroforestry Practices: Integrating trees, crops, and livestock to restore ecosystems, improve soil health, and boost biodiversity.
Policy and Governance: Developing frameworks to scale agroforestry practices and support sustainable rural development.
Research and Innovation: Insights into the latest research, tools, and technologies driving the future of agroforestry in Europe.

Navigating Agroforestry futures in Europe: Insights from ReForest project and FarmTree® Tool
2024-06-27 14:00 - 15:00 (Europe/Paris)
June 27 @ 14:00 pm CET
online
Agroforestry holds immense benefits for farms, the environment, and society at large. Yet, its widespread adoption faces significant challenges, including the uncertainty surrounding expected environmental and profitability outcomes.
Drawing insights from data collected from ReForest Living Labs across Europe, the FarmTree Tool emerges as a digital solution to this challenge. This software-based model, accessible through an easy-to-use online interface, and connected to a scientific species database, empowers land users to craft agroforestry systems and anticipate their performance across production, financial, and agro-ecological dimensions. The tool allows to flexibly design unique agroforestry systems in an online environment (in terms of species composition, arrangement, and management), and offers a comprehensive overview of the farming system performance.
The FarmTree Tool integrates site-specific data such as:

farmer information,
plot design and management,
climate conditions,
soil composition,
and species unique characteristics.

By synthesizing these inputs, the tool generates modelling projections for the envisioned agroforestry scenario over a defined period of time.
The upcoming event presents a valuable opportunity for farmers, advisors, researchers, policymakers, and all stakeholders working in agroforestry to learn more about the practical applications of the FarmTree Tool within the ReForest and European context.
Key webinar topics and themes include:

Overview of the ReForest project: Living Labs data generation for Farmer and Policy Support (Prof Ing Martin Lukac PhD, ReForest project coordinator);
FarmTree tool: a digital solution for designing, comparing, and reporting impact of agroforestry systems (Steffie Rijpkema, MSc – Coordinator Innovation Team)
A practical application of the FarmTree Tool: examples from ReForest Living Labs (Marina Alarcón, MSc – Agroforestry Impact Quantification Expert at FarmTree)
What tooling functionalities and digital solutions do diverse European agroforestry practitioners need? (interactive session) (Marina Alarcón, MSc – Agroforestry Impact Quantification Expert at FarmTree)

As a webinar participant, you will get temporary access to temperate agroforestry species with your FarmTree Tool registration (for free), to explore the potential of the tool for your context!
To ensure your participation, register now and secure your spot by completing the simple registration form. Following your registration, further details pertaining to event access will be shared.
We are looking forward to your participation!

7th European Agroforestry Conference
2024-05-27 08:00 - 2024-06-02 17:00 UTC
The ReForest Project is pleased to announce its active participation in the 2024 European Agroforestry Conference, organised by the European Agroforestry Federation. The conference will take place in the city of Brno, Czechia, focusing on the theme “Agroforestry – Regenerating Landscapes and Diversifying Production in Europe.”
European agriculture confronts unprecedented challenges, encompassing climate change, declining biodiversity, and an urgent need for enhanced human health. Agroforestry, involving the integration of trees with livestock and/or crop production, stands out as a proven solution for sustainable food production while addressing all these pressing issues. The conference aims to discuss the potential of agroforestry in creating economically and environmentally beneficial landscapes—an aspect central to the mission of the ReForest Project.
The Czech Republic, located at the heart of Europe, provides an ideal setting for discussions on the wide adoption of agroforestry. The country is currently witnessing an uptake in agroforestry practices, especially in intensive farming areas, making it a strategic location for progressive agricultural development.
The main Conference Topics and Themes include:
• Agroforestry and the Environment: Climate Change Mitigation, Climate Change Adaptation, Biodiversity, Landscape Planning and Management, Wildfire Prevention, Healthy Soil and Water Management, Pests, Diseases, and Weed Control
• Agroforestry Production: Quality, Safety, and Sustainability: Silvoarable Systems – Crop Productions, Silvopastoral Systems – Livestock Welfare, Grazing Management, and Production, Tree Growth and Production – Fruit, Timber, Energy, and Non-Wood Forest Productions, Agroforestry Germplasm, Models and Tools, Agrivoltaism
• Economy and Policy of Agroforestry: Business Models, European Policy, Carbon Farming and Neutrality Certifications, Scaling Up Agroforestry Innovations
• Agroforestry in Society and Culture: Education, Training, Dissemination, and Promotion, Gender, Youth Engagement, and New Social Movements, Historical Landscapes: Heritage Identity and a Driver for Sustainable Tourism, Urban and Peri-Urban Agroforestry
• Agroforestry in Practice: Farmers’ Experiences and Adoption, European Initiatives and Projects, Lessons from What Does Not Work in Agroforestry, Women in Agroforestry
ReForest Project looks forward to contributing valuable insights and sharing experiences during the conference, fostering collaboration among farmers, policymakers, and researchers to push the integration of agroforestry practices across Europe.
For detailed information and updates about the event, we invite you to explore the Conference website at: https://www.euraf2024.mendelu.cz/34925-welcome
