ELO Community - November updates and hot topics
European Landowners' Organization
Committed to promoting a sustainable countryside and to increasing environmental and agricultural awareness.
POLICY
EUDR in limbo after Parliament vote
On the 14th of November, the Parliament agreed to postpone the EU’s anti-deforestation regulation (EUDR) by one year but also passed amendments to the text. The most significant was the creation of a "no risk" category. Other amendments were dropped following concerns from some national delegations and discussions with Renew, who abstained.
With only a month before the rules come into force on 30 December, the Council is following the Commission line, pushing for the delay without changes to ensure predictability and due to the possible legal uncertainties of the amendments. A view that the MEP Schneider (DE, EPP), who is leading the Parliament team in the negotiations, will see as blocking the possibility of improvements to the legislation. Additional information can be found here.
For more details, contact Ana Rocha.
Commission organises workshop on strict protection ?
The European Commission hosted a two-day workshop on "Strictly Protected Areas in the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030," aiming to clarify the concept of strict protection. With challenges in securing pledges for the 30% protected and 10% strictly protected areas targets, the EC focused on revisiting the Commission Staff Working Document, which provides criteria and guidance for area designations. Despite contributions from various stakeholders—including FACE, Europarc, Estonian State Forest Management Centre, and ELO—the workshop did not offer additional clarity. ELO emphasized that strict protection should apply only to public land, must be adaptable in time and legal certainty is crucial. We also highlighted that nature is dynamic and shaped by human activity, meaning active management is essential. To address climate change and invasive species, risk management schemes are necessary. The report will be soon available.?
For more details, contact Delphine Dupeux
Preparation for the Vision of the Future of Agriculture ?
Following the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture report, DG AGRI organised a first discussion on two recommendations: 1) the establishment of an EU-wide benchmarking system, as a new approach to deliver on sustainability to support farmers in decarbonisation and preserving biodiversity, and 2) the “European land observatory”,?which took place on the 7th of November. Both points were raised in the hearing of commissioner-to-be Hansen, and if rumours are to be believed, he is looking to present his vision at the end of January.?
For more details, contact Ana Rocha.
EU Food System Monitoring Framework: striving for balance? ?
The JRC has recently introduced the revised EU Food System Monitoring Framework. While focused on sustainability, the framework remains heavily skewed toward environmental sustainability and primary production, with economic and social dimensions, as well as broader food chain elements, underrepresented. In the upcoming public consultation, ELO will emphasise that neglecting profitability threatens food security. For truly comprehensive sustainability, we call for balanced indicators across all dimensions and greater transparency throughout the food chain.
For more details, contact Laura Ticoiu.
AWARDS
Apply Now: 2025 Land and Soil Management Award!
The European Landowners' Organization (ELO) has officially opened applications for the 2025 Land and Soil Management Award. This prestigious award recognizes innovative projects that combat soil degradation, erosion, biodiversity loss, and more. If you’re a farmer, landowner, or part of a research team advancing sustainable land practices, this is your chance to gain European recognition!?
Key Details:
For more details please contact Emmanuelle Mikosz.
Launch of 2025 FAMIGRO Award - An award for Rural Entrepreneurship
The Famigro Award, founded by FCS Board Member Karl GROTENFELT, is granted annually to a young (18 to 40) European countryside entrepreneur who has made a special contribution to the rural economy, community and environment.? Each year we look for an innovative project that has been running for at least 2 years and answers the current challenges of the rural sector. The winner will receive 5,000€, an article published in the Countryside Magazine and the opportunity to join the FCS & YFCS General Assembly in Stockholm, Sweden in June 2025.
The 2025 edition opens today. The deadline is February 28, 2025.
For more details, contact?[email protected].
UPCOMING EVENTS
PROPAGRI Final Conference
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The final conference of the PROPAGRI Erasmus+ project, titled "Growing Skills: Enhancing Agricultural Workforce through NEET Engagement and Training," will take place online on November 28, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:30. The event highlights the role of social farming in integrating NEET youth into the agricultural workforce and addressing rural sustainability.
Agenda of the event
- 10:00 - 10:10: Welcome address by Laura Ticoiu (ELO)
- 10:10 - 10:20: Keynote speech by Matyas Szabo (DG AGRI, European Commission). ?
- 10:20 - 10:25: Presentation of the PROPAGRI project by Celine Le Carduner (Nivot Agricultural School). ?
- 10:25 - 11:25: Dialogue on social farming's role in supporting farmers and NEET youth with Antonio Martis, Dijana Puskar, Alexander Gaum, and Maarten Dieryick (Moderator: Laura Ticoiu). ?
- 11:25 - 11:30: Wrap-up and conclusions by Celine Le Carduner and Laura Ticoiu.?
Contact: Enrico Breveglieri
Bridging Global and EU Policy for Sustainable Soil Management ?
Join SOILGUARD on 9 December 2024, from 14:00 to 15:20 CET, for this impactful policy webinar. As the world focuses on soil health during COP 16 in Riyadh, this webinar will spotlight the connections between global frameworks like the UNCCD and the EU’s Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive. Explore how cohesive actions on soil biodiversity, land degradation, and resilience can shape a sustainable future. Engaging presentations and roundtable discussions with IUCN, ELO, EEB and DG ENV?promise valuable insights for everyone committed to soil health.? Please stay informed, as the final agenda will be published on the?SOILGUARD page.
Biodiversity Conference
The EU Biodiversity Conference 2024 is just around the corner, and we are thrilled to invite you to this premier event dedicated to "Enhancing Water and Land Resilience." Mark your calendars for December 10, 2024, and join us at the esteemed Residence Palace, with the program kicking off at 9:30 AM. Take a look at our preliminary agenda for a sneak peek at the engaging sessions and discussions we have planned. More panellists will be announced soon—stay tuned!
For more information contact Delphine Dupeux.
One Week Left to Register: European Bee Award Ceremony 2024
Time is running out to secure your spot at the European Bee Award Ceremony 2024, celebrating excellence in pollinator protection!
The ceremony will honour trailblazing projects with prizes including €4,000 for Land Management Practices, €4,000 for Innovative Technological Solutions, and a Special Mention of the Jury. Don’t miss this inspiring evening of awards, networking, and cocktails.?
Contact Laura Ticoiu for more information!?
PAST EVENTS
Annual Soil-Health Living Labs Community Engagement Event
What an incredible event at the First Annual SoilHealth Living Labs & Lighthouses Engagement Event organized by ELO, TRUST-IT and ENOLL for the European Mission Soil Week. We witnessed fantastic collaboration from the first 25 Mission Soil Living Labs. Insights from project partners and the European Commission were truly inspiring. Key sessions focused on co-designing soil support actions for the Living Labs and the introduction of the SOILL HUB, a new tool to support the Living Labs that is soon to be launched.
PROJECTS
?INTERCEDE Transdisciplinary Forum
The Transdisciplinary Forum was a 1.5-day event in Brussels focusing on gathering information from stakeholders, including ELO, related to Market-Based-Instruments for Forest Ecosystem Services for the Horizon-project INTERCEDE, which aims to develop market-based solutions to foster the benefits that Forests provide.?
In the event, ELO participants provided information on existing market-based instruments, and perspectives on key features of MBI design and participated in role-play exercises to develop an understanding of concerns among different stakeholder groups, all in order to guide the ongoing research efforts of the project.
FORUMFORAG
Markets Outlook Workshop: Key Highlights and Insights ?
On 19th November, the ForumforAg hosted an in-person workshop titled "Markets Outlook – What the Numbers Say". The event provided a platform to explore market dynamics, sustainability challenges, and policy implications with a distinguished lineup of speakers. Did you miss the Workshop? Don’t worry! Videos and a summary are now?available on the ForumforAg website.? Contact: Emmanuelle Mikosz
"Forum for the Future of Agriculture: Regional Event Poland ?
Throughout the year, the Forum for the Future of Agriculture organises regional conferences and online events to discuss agriculture and the environment at a national level across Europe. On Wednesday, November 27, 2024, we will co-organise our regional event with "Polska Federacja Rolna" at the Centrum Prasowe Foksal. We will focus, among others, on the reform of the CAP with the soon-to-be-announced vision for agriculture to be presented by the new College, and on climate change and food security as one of the priorities of the forthcoming Polish presidency; as well as on the importance of soil and the place of innovation to deliver these targets. The meeting will take place in person and will be translated into English and Polish. Contact: Emmanuelle Mikosz