What's Happening?
The Finland Resilient Agriculture Landscape initiative has opened applications to support the transition to regenerative agriculture in southern Finland. This program, part of the EIT Food landscape portfolio, aims to strengthen agricultural ecosystems
by focusing on restoring and improving soil health and function. The initiative will run from 2027 to 2029, providing up to €1.1 million per application for a full consortium. The selected consortium will be responsible for farmer training, advisory services, digital knowledge sharing, financial de-risking mechanisms, and the measurement and verification of soil carbon removal. The project seeks to connect regenerative farming with broader landscape outcomes, including improved soil health, greater farm resilience, better regional water quality, reduced flood risk, increased soil carbon removal, reduced reliance on mineral fertilizers and insecticides, and improved habitats supporting the Baltic Sea ecosystem. It also aims to maintain or improve farm-level profitability and facilitate knowledge sharing among agricultural stakeholders.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is crucial for the long-term sustainability of agriculture in Finland and has broader implications for environmental health. By promoting regenerative agriculture, the program addresses critical issues such as soil degradation, climate change, and water pollution. Improved soil health leads to better carbon sequestration, which is vital for mitigating climate change. Reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and insecticides benefits biodiversity and water quality, particularly impacting the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The focus on financial de-risking mechanisms and farmer training is essential for encouraging widespread adoption of these practices, ensuring that the transition is economically viable for farmers. This holistic approach demonstrates how agricultural practices can simultaneously achieve environmental benefits and economic stability, serving as a model for other regions facing similar challenges.
What's Next?
Applications for the Finland Resilient Agriculture Landscape initiative are currently open, with a deadline of October 8, 2026. Following the selection of a consortium, the transition to regenerative agriculture will commence over three agricultural years, from 2027 to 2029. The chosen consortium will implement various work packages, including project management, farmer training and advisory services, development of a digital knowledge-sharing platform, piloting financial de-risking mechanisms, and robust measurement and verification of soil carbon removal. The multi-year approach is designed to allow farmers and project partners sufficient time to implement new practices, measure results, assess economic performance, and share lessons. The initiative expects to generate measurable outcomes across environmental, economic, and social objectives, with continuous monitoring and reporting to track progress and ensure accountability.
Beyond the Headlines
The Finland Resilient Agriculture Landscape initiative highlights a growing global recognition of the interconnectedness between agricultural practices, environmental health, and economic stability. This program moves beyond conventional farming by emphasizing a landscape-level transition, acknowledging that individual farm practices have wider ecological impacts. The integration of financial de-risking mechanisms is particularly significant, as it addresses a major barrier to the adoption of sustainable practices by farmers: the perceived economic risk of change. By fostering community trust and understanding through knowledge sharing and training, the initiative aims to create a self-sustaining ecosystem of regenerative agriculture. This approach could set a precedent for how governments and organizations can incentivize and support systemic shifts in agricultural practices, promoting both ecological restoration and rural economic resilience.
