HNV Link: High Nature Value Farming: Learning, Innovation and Knowledge
HNV Link: High Nature Value Farming: Learning, Innovation and Knowledge
STEP participates in the recently awarded HNV-LINK H2020 project
Work of STEP on High Nature Value farming is getting an important boost from a prestigious Horizon 2020 project called HNV-Link, which stands for High Nature Value Farming: Learning, Innovation and Knowledge. This is a 13-partner consortium, which grew out of the EIP Focus Group on HNV farming. With an overall budget of 2.2 M€, the project started in April 2016 and will last for three years.
The project network will be focusing on innovations that support HNV farming systems and communities by simultaneously improving their “socio-economic viability” and “environmental efficiency”. A set of “learning areas” will be used to evaluate innovation examples and innovation gaps, not only technical and commercial innovation but also social, institutional and policy innovation. There is also an ambitious dissemination plan for engaging farmers groups, researchers and other actors beyond the 10 learning areas. The Bulgarian learning area is the region of Western Stara Planina.
The project will support grassroots activities (such as exchange visits), which are always highly demanded by practitioners on the ground. Among the major outputs is an atlas of innovations feasible within HNV farming areas. The project will also host an “Innovation Fair” to foster peer learning. Finally, HNV-Link will identify existing educational material and expose educators and students alike to HNV concepts, challenges and opportunities. The project’s website and other communication channels will be established by mid-2016.
If you want to get an update and follow the project, you can contact the Bulgarian contact person – Yanka Kazakova (yanka.kazakova [at] gmail.com) or the HNV-Link communication person – Irina Herzon (herzon [at] mappi.helsinki.fi) (in English)
HNV-Link Coordinator: Institut Agronomique Mediterrannéen de Montpellier (CIHEAM-IAMM) - France
“HNV grasslands in Western Stara Planina
Photo:Y.Kazakova”
European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism (EFNCP) - United Kingdom
University of Evora, Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais Mediterrânicas - Portugal
University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj Napoca - Romania
Society for Territorial and Environmental Prosperity (STEP) - Bulgaria
County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland - Sweden
Application des Sciences de l‘Action (AScA) - France
Sligo Institute of Technology, Department of Environmental Science - Ireland
University of Thessaly, Department of planning and regional development - Greece
University of Helsinki. Department of Agricultural Sciences - Finland
Local action group LAG 5 - Croatia
Conservatoire d’Espaces Naturels Languedoc-Roussillon - France
Fundación Entretantos – Spain
Map of HNVLink Learning areas and project partners
