Project Summary

High nature value (HNV) farmland defines areas in Europe where agricultural activities support and are associated with exceptionally high biodiversity. These areas are an important component of European agriculture not only for their natural values but also for cultural heritage, quality products and rural employment. Such farming is practised most frequently in areas where natural constraints prevent intensive production. They mainly, but not exclusively, involve low-intensity livestock farming.

The HNV Link project network focuses on innovations that increase the socio-economic viability of HNV farming while maintaining natural values of HNV farmland, including ecosystem services provided to the society. The project links the partners into a peer-learning process and harnesses their innovation expertise for use in other HNV farmland regions.

Objectives

High Nature Value Farming: Learning, Innovation and Knowledge (HNV-Link) is a 13-partner network dedicated to developing and sharing innovations that support HNV farming systems and communities by simultaneously improving their socio-economic viability and environmental efficiency. 

Activities

The project is implemented in 10 so called “learning areas”, where HNV farming systems are prevalent and where appropriate innovations have been made to sustainably maintain HNV farmland. Innovations are not only technical and commercial but also social, institutional and regulatory.

The following activities are developed:

• Assess the current situation of HNV farming systems (evolution dynamics, challenges);
• Collect and evaluate innovation examples from the grassroots and innovation gaps;
• Engage key actors across a shared HNV farming vision;
• Organise an “Innovation Fair” to foster peer learning among partners
• Arrange cross visits of practitioners to learn from the field
• Disseminate the innovations and lessons learnt to engage farmers groups, advisors, researchers and other actors beyond the 10 learning areas. 

Results, project impact

• Edition of an Atlas of innovations feasible within HNV farming areas
• Peer learning and innovation transfers between partners
• Strengthened network of HNV farming actors
• Scientific and policy papers on HNV farming
• Package of educational material exposing educators and students alike to HNV concepts, challenges and opportunities.