Activities National and International projects

National and International projects

ONGOING PROJECTS

 

FarmBioNet - Farmer-Focused Biodiversity and Agricultural Knowledge Network

The Horizon Europe project FarmBioNet is funded under the call CL6–2024–Governance–01: Biodiversity thematic network to compile and share knowledge ready for practice. The project, with a three-year duration (2025–2027), brings together a consortium of 19 partners from 13 European countries, including universities, research centres, farmers’ associations, NGOs, and public institutions. The initiative aims to establish the largest European network dedicated to promoting
and integrating biodiversity-friendly farming practices (BFF), in line with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and with the European directives related to the Natura 2000 network (Birds Directive and Habitats Directive). The overarching objective of FarmBioNet is to foster knowledge exchange, facilitate the sharing of practices, and integrate research outcomes to encourage the dissemination of agricultural practices capable of halting biodiversity loss, enhancing the resilience of agroforestry systems, and contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Within this framework, the UNESCO Chair on Agricultural Heritage Landscapes plays an active role in building the Italian national FarmBioNet Network, through promotion, scientific dissemination, and workshops involving numerous farmers and representatives of the agricultural sector. Particular attention is devoted to the identification of biodiversity-friendly farming practices that are still little known but possess high potential in terms of environmental and economic value, provided they are effectively integrated into
national and European support schemes.

 

 

Lombardy Regional Forestry Plan

The UNESCO Chair is part of the working group engaged in drafting the new Lombardy Region Forestry Plan, with the task of developing strategies and lines of action relating to the forest landscape, its protection, and its enhancement. This activity started in 2026 and is expected to be completed in 2027. This activity is being carried out on behalf of ERSAF - the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Forestry Services of the Lombardy Region. The Plan will be drafted using an innovative approach, incorporating the protection of the forest cultural landscape into the forestry planning and management tools.

 

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PAST PROJECTS

 

MedAgriFoodResilience - Socio-environmental shocks assessment and resilience empowerment in Mediterranean agri-food heritage systems: Italy, Morocco, Algeria FAO GIAHS sites

The project focuses on studying three GIAHS sites (in Italy, Morocco and Algeria) applying a multidisciplinary approach to identify the possible social and environmental shocks impacting agroforestry and agri-food heritage systems in the Mediterranean area, linking together landscape structure, climatological studies, social role and biodiversity assessment. Over the centuries, local communities have adapted to challenging environmental conditions such as a dry and hot climate, water scarcity and steep slopes. Traditional agroforestry and agri-food systems have demonstrated to be more resilient towards possible shocks than modern and intensive food systems. The results of the project will lead to the identification of the best practices to be replicated in other traditional agroforestry and agri-food systems to increase the adaptation and resilience to social and/or environmental systems shocks. 

For more information visit www.medagrifood.eu

 

 

BUILDING CAPACITY: INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE ON GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) for the resilience evaluation in three different socio-environmental and bio-cultural frameworks: Africa, Asia and Latin America

The project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), aims to promote the knowledge of agricultural heritage systems and traditional landscapes, supporting the FAO GIAHS Programme, through training and research activities, especially in the AICS Priority Countries. The specific objective of the Master Course activated in the framework of the project is to train students on how to effectively manage and identify agricultural heritage systems and landscapes including them in a sustainable development model of the rural territory, harmonizing economic, social and environmental processes. The Course offers a very specific training on rural landscapes, creating an expert capable of informing decision- making processes and research strategies, in the framework of the governance of the rural territory.

For more information visit www.agriculturalheritage.com

 

 

Monitoring system and Forest Management Plan for the UNESCO Site Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene

Located in north-eastern Italy, the UNESCO Site “Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene” includes part of the winegrowing landscape of the Prosecco wine production area. The landscape is characterized by ‘hogback’ hills (so-called ciglioni, small plots of vines on narrow grassy terraces), forests, linear tree formations, and small villages. For centuries, this rugged terrain has been shaped and adapted by man. Since the 17th century, the use of ciglioni has created a particular mosaic landscape consisting of vineyards which are often connected to one another by small woodlands, hedges, rows of trees that serve also as corridors connecting different habitats. The result is a harmonious landscape with outstanding scenic values that maintains a delicate environmental and functional balance. The staff of the UNESCO Chair is involved in the set-up of a landscape monitoring system of the local cultural landscape to identify and measure landscape changes and main vulnerabilities. In addition, since most of the area is occupied by forests, small woody patches and linear tree formations, a Forest Management Plan is under preparation with the aim of providing guidelines to management bodies, regarding a sustainable forest management strategy capable of preserving the landscape features that have allowed the site to be inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

For more information visit www.unesco.beniculturali.it/projects/prosecco

 

 

The Italian Register of rural landscapes of historical interest, agricultural practices and traditional knowledge and the related Association

In 2012, contextually to the establishment of the National Observatory of rural landscape, agricultural practices and traditional knowledge (ONPR), the Italian Ministry of agricultural, food and forestry policies created the National Register of rural landscapes of historical interest, agricultural practices and traditional knowledge. The National Register was set up in order to collect applications from interested institutions and organizations throughout the country which meet certain eligibility requirements approved at the Permanent State-Regions Conference. In the framework of the National Register the Ministry is cataloguing traditional rural landscapes or landscapes of historical interest, related traditional practices and knowledge, defining their significance, integrity and vulnerability, considering both scientific assessments and the values they are attributed by the local communities concerned. Following the verification process of the eligibility requirements carried out by the ONPR, with a decree signed by the Minister containing the mention that explains the reasons for the recognition, historical rural landscapes, agricultural practices and traditional knowledge are inscribed in the Register. At the current stage (2026) a number of 33 historical rural landscapes and 5 agricultural practices are inscribed in the National Register. The staff of the UNESCO Chair has been involved in the set-up of a dedicated Association whose mission is to safeguard, promote and valorize these unique areas through the implementation of different projects and initiatives.

For more information visit www.reterurale.it/registropaesaggi and www.reterurale.it  

 

MED-GIAHS Mediterranean GIAHS sites network to promote sustainable agricultural tourism

The Interreg Euro-MED Programme is a European territorial cooperation initiative that funds projects focused on sustainable development and social, economic, and environmental innovation in the Mediterranean region, involving both EU and non-EU countries. As part of the EU's cohesion policy, the programme addresses common challenges such as fostering a sustainable economy, protecting the natural environment, promoting livable green spaces, and advancing sustainable tourism. The MED-GIAHS project aims to establish a network of GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) sites in the Mediterranean, recognized as true biocultural treasures. However, these sites face significant threats, including climate change, globalization, and biodiversity loss. MED-GIAHS tackles these challenges by developing sustainable action plans that include touristic promotion for recognized and potential GIAHS sites. These plans engage local communities and support the strengthening of rural economies while preserving agricultural and landscape heritage. In addition to the University of Florence, the project involves partners from other countries: Consejería de Agricultura, Pesca, Agua y Desarrollo Rural de la Junta de Andalucía (Spain), Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije (Montenegro), Panhellenic Association of Landscape Architects (Greece), Pazardzhik Regional Administration (Bulgaria).

More information about the MED-GIAHS project at the following web page: https://med-giahs.interreg-euro-med.eu/