CA25162 - FutureLands: Feeding Future Generations by Empowering Community-Driven Agroecological Transitions (FutureLands)

FutureLands is an innovative initiative under the COST Action (CA) scheme focused on empowering community-led agroecological transitions to create sustainable and resilient agri-food systems. Through collaborative learning, knowledge exchange, and participatory policymaking, FutureLands addresses the socio-ecological challenges of industrial agriculture while prioritizing food security. The initiative tackles deep transformations in agri-food systems by shifting mindsets toward balancing urban demand with rural production, promoting sustainable resource use, bio-exploitation, and conserving cultural heritage. FutureLands employs a transdisciplinary, co-creation approach to align agroecological practices with local, regional, and national policies. Key activities include the development of community-led knowledge hubs, capacity-building workshops, and strategic partnerships among farmers, researchers, policymakers, and civil society organizations. The five Working Groups (WGs) focus on empowering community networks, promoting eco-schemes, supporting EU environmental policy alignment, developing sustainability metrics, and integrating science with community-driven action.

FutureLands proposes strategies that enhance socio-economic resilience, biodiversity, and cultural heritage conservation while fostering an action-oriented framework for sustainability research. Aligned with the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the project emphasizes continuous adaptation and scaling of successful agroecological solutions. Ultimately, FutureLands bridges local knowledge with broader food systems, transforming agricultural landscapes into resilient, biodiverse, and sustainably productive systems to ensure a secure food future.