On 10 December 2025, more than 100 farmers, advisors, researchers, policymakers and agroforestry actors gathered in Bernburg (Saale), Germany, to celebrate the final conference of the AF4EU project and present the achievements of the European Agroforestry Innovation Network established during the last three years.
The event marked the conclusion of the project’s German activities and showcased a wide range of practical results, knowledge tools and innovative business solutions now available for agroforestry development across Europe.
AF4EU: Agroforestry as a Sustainable Future for Europe
AF4EU is an EU–funded Horizon Europe project designed to promote agroforestry as a climate-smart, economically resilient and socially innovative land-use model. To achieve this goal, AF4EU created eleven Regional Agroforestry Innovation Networks (RAIN) across ten European countries, supporting knowledge exchange, farmer-to-farmer learning and applied research.
These networks have enabled:
the analysis of local agroforestry potential,
the development of new value chains and business opportunities,
and the creation of digital training, advisory and decision-making tools for future agroforestry stakeholders.
The results feed into the open-access AF4EU Knowledge Platform, which includes:
a Knowledge Cloud with searchable agroforestry material,
the European Agroforestry MOOC for training and education,
an Agroforestry Decision Support System (AFi-Bus DSS / EUS),
and the Alive Handbook gathering case studies and best practices.
A Full Day of Talks, Dialogue and Networking
The final event began with a welcome session hosted by ZALF and the State Institute for Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (LLG), followed by short video introductions and project summaries.
The programme brought together government institutions, regional authorities, enterprises and pioneering farmers to discuss future agroforestry development in Germany and Europe.
Session Highlights
Session 1 – Policy & Funding Perspectives
Speakers from the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture and regional government bodies presented upcoming political instruments supporting agroforestry expansion, including eco-certification, carbon credit options and compensation mechanisms.
Session 2 – Rural Development Opportunities
The German Rural Network (DVS) introduced rural development pathways connected to the EU Common Agricultural Policy.
Session 3 – Practical Agroforestry Examples
Entrepreneurs and agroforestry pioneers such as Lignovis GmbH, Spiegel’sche Güterverwaltung Zuchau and Landwirtschaft Böllersen shared experiences, business models and recommendations from real farm implementation.
Session 4 – Roundtable Dialogue
Researchers, policymakers and practitioners discussed barriers to adoption, value chain development, training needs and new economic opportunities available through agroforestry.
Networking Activities
Participants also benefited from:
a national Agroforestry Market,
poster exhibitions,
interviews with RAIN members,
project photo sessions and media interactions.
Showcasing AF4EU Tools and Results
The final part of the day focused on project outcomes, presented by ZALF experts.
Session 5 – Knowledge Cloud & MOOC
Participants were introduced to new digital education tools that will continue supporting capacity building after the end of the project.
Session 6 – Decision Support System Demonstration
The new agroforestry DSS (EUS) tool was presented live, demonstrating how the system can help future farmers and advisors plan agroforestry strategies, analyse regulations and assess economic performance.
Conclusions and Future Outlook
The conference concluded with a final discussion session, feedback collection, networking activities and closing remarks. QR links were shared so participants could access AF4EU digital tools and online resources.
Speakers emphasised that agroforestry offers a promising pathway for climate resilience, biodiversity improvement, soil regeneration and rural economic diversification. Building on the success of the AF4EU networks, European partners expressed their commitment to continuing collaboration beyond the end of the project.
