PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Around 120 000 ha of the Natura 2000 network in the Latium region (often referred to by its Italian name: Lazio) is non-arable land used for extensive grazing, characterised by the presence of 27 native breeds of agricultural interest. However, grazing has fallen by 50% in the past 25 years. Its progressive decline has significant implications for the loss of habitats such as semi-natural dry grasslands, pseudo-steppe and Nardus grasslands, due to the banalisation of vegetation and bush encroachment.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the LIFE_GRACE project was to promote conservation of 3 semi-natural habitats: semi-natural dry grasslands (6210*), pseudo-steppe (6220) and Nardus grasslands (6230). It aimed to do so by encouraging grazing by hardy breeds threatened by genetic erosion.
The specific objectives were to:
- raise awareness among the general public on biodiversity conservation and on the role of agriculture as a driver of sustainable development,
- boost awareness among farmers about the best practices to be put in place in Natura 2000 areas/habitats to improve the conservation status of agro-ecosystems through use of rural development plan funds,
- encourage farmers to take part in citizen science activities by collecting information for monitoring of farmland biodiversity,
- disseminate the lessons learnt to others inside and outside the region.
LIFE_GRACE was expected to contribute to the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategies to 2020 (targets 1 and 3) and for 2030 and to the EU Habitats Directive. The project would also help improve implementation of the rural development programme (RDP) at a regional scale.
RESULTS
The project successfully achieved its main objective, building a strong public-private partnership among breeders, land managers, processors, restaurateurs, local authorities and consumers. The project deployed a large, stable and diversified agri-food business network, and obtained significant governance and capacity-building impacts. Thanks to a good networking, it replicated the activities outside the project area in Italy, obtaining concrete results, such as 3 agreements signed, 2 restoration projects implemented and the launch of a supply-chain initiative.
The project developed a Cooperation model on marketing, supporting the creation of flexible voluntary agreements (supply chain accords, bio-districts, local development strategies of local action groups, business network accords, codes of conducts), as well as an Environmental Agreement Model and one Cooperation Model for sustainable pasture management.
The project raised environmental awareness among livestock farmers on best practices for conserving grassland ecosystems in Natura 2000 areas, to improve the conservation status of agro-ecosystems using RDP funds, through concrete support at local level. However, only 1 restoration project of semi-natural dry grasslands habitat was implemented over 7.5 ha during the project implementation and citizen science actions with farmers were not implemented.
The following specific results were achieved:
- the first business network of enterprises (breeders and companies from downstream sector) was established in the Monti Ausoni Monti Aurunci area and remained active at the end of the project,
- 3 territorial comarketing agreements (Business Network Accords) signed by 75 actors, aimed at creating economic opportunities for farmers while safeguarding Natura 2000 grassland habitats,
- a multilevel territorial network, involving 54 farmers and processors, 78 food distribution points and 10 supporting institutions, including actors located outside the project areas to ensure market uptake and continuity,
- technical tender model developed to support municipalities in integrating the Minimum Environmental Criteria (CAM) and short supply chain valorisation into public school catering procurement (15 municipalities signed to adhere to the CAM),
- learning units for students (unforeseen) involving training laboratories and show-cooking sessions, with the support of master butchers,
- agreements signed with nine collective land management bodies, involving more than 775 breeders (vs foreseen 40),
- positive effect on consumers' behaviour: 27% increase in meat sales (vs foreseen 10%) for companies within the GRACE network compared to non-network operators,
- 6% increase in the number of breeding females of 7 rare local breeds targeted by the project, thereby contributing to the conservation of genetic resources,
- support for the activation of the Natura 2000 compensation measure in the 2023–2027 Rural Development Complement in Lazio Region in January 2025,
- increase from 28% to 43% of consumers’ awareness on Natura 2000 network,
- many communication tools produced (Z-cards, leaflets, leaflet for the hotel sector, restaurant, café/catering, 4-fold card nature/food trail guide, notebook, gadgets, layman's report) and 54 events organised (world café, informal initiatives, training seminars, information meetings, workshops).
