Main outputs of FARLAND so far:
State of the art and strategic vision on European Land Development
As outcome of the EU Interreg IIIC support between 2005 and 2007, the FARLAND network has produced the book ‘FARLAND, Near Future’. It describes the state of the art in European land development, the innovations taking place and the challenges in the near future to cope with. It contains a colourful collection of 18 inspiring case studies. A separate strategic vision with recommendations for national and European policy makers has been published.
International Workshop on Land Abandonment in Oeiras, Portugal
In September 2009 the FARLAND network organised a workshop for 80 participants from 15 countries. It contributed to a more comprehensive and systematic approach to the revitalisation of farming in rural areas facing the risk of land abandonment. From the perspectives of the individual farmer, the land market and economic diversification, different instruments to build up successful territorial strategies were explored. As a spin off, the network is now involved in an expert group of the Joint Research Centre of the EU, to define indicators for land abandonment.
Green Works Conference in Bruges, Belgium
In October 2010, the FARLAND network has co-organised the Conference ‘Green Works’ to promote integrated land development for biodiversity in peri-urban areas. More than 200 participants turned up, presentations were made, a workshop was held and panel discussions took place. The outcome of the workshop was integrated in a presentation on ‘Land Development Instruments for sustainable land use in peri-urban areas’ held in the 18th Annual conference of the European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisor Councils (EACC).
International workshops on land development in Budapest, Hungary
In co-operation with the FAO office in Budapest two international workshops of the LANDNET were held in November 2010 and June 2011. In each of the workshops about 60 experts from all over Europe and Central Asia have discussed relevant aspects of land consolidation, land banking and land valuation. All inputs are used to draft a technical paper on land banking which can be used as a reference document by experts and policy makers. A framework for an integrated approach towards land abandonment is in development. A draft report is open for comments.