The Association of Balkan Eco-Innovation (ABE) continued to expand its activities and partnerships in 2025, strengthening its role as a bridge between research, innovation, policy, and practice across agriculture, food systems, and the built environment. Over the past year, ABE welcomed new team members, launched several Horizon Europe and EU-funded projects, and reinforced long-term initiatives that extend beyond individual project cycles.
Strengthening the Team
This year, ABE’s team grew with professionals whose expertise supports interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication of complex topics.
Lena, a biologist and science communicator, brings a background in marine biology and a strong commitment to making science accessible and engaging. Her work focuses on translating data into meaningful stories that reconnect people with nature and encourage shared responsibility for environmental protection.
Monika is a recognized practitioner in science-based nutrition. With master’s degrees in human nutrition and biochemical engineering, she combines scientific rigor with clear communication, contributing to evidence-based approaches to sustainable food systems.
Nenad joined ABE with extensive experience in programme development across the Western Balkans. His background includes leading U.S. government–funded initiatives focused on sustainable economy, business cooperation, and democratic governance. His work strengthens ABE’s capacity for strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and long-term impact in agriculture and food systems.
Out of all the projects implemented by ABE, the Alliance was deliberately chosen for presentation as a concrete example of how project results can evolve into long-term, impactful structures. The Alliance originated within the EU-funded AgriCaptureCO₂ project, but its work did not end with the project’s completion. Instead, it has continued to grow as an open network bringing together farmers, experts, researchers, and institutions around a shared goal: healthier soils, more resilient production, and more sustainable agricultural systems.
Presenting the Alliance in an academic setting once again highlighted the importance of connecting science, practice, and policy, and of developing initiatives that remain relevant and effective beyond individual project cycles. Such spaces provide valuable opportunities for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the co-creation of solutions that can be applied in real-world agricultural contexts.
New Projects Launched
In 2025, ABE joined several major European initiatives addressing sustainability transitions.
ABE became part of the FOODTURE project, an ambitious EU-funded initiative bringing together 20 partners from Europe and beyond. FOODTURE aims to transform agri-food sustainability through advanced Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), improved environmental impact methodologies, and close collaboration with actors across the food value chain. ABE leads communication and dissemination efforts.
Strengthening the Team
This year, ABE’s team grew with professionals whose expertise supports interdisciplinary collaboration and effective communication of complex topics.
Lena, a biologist and science communicator, brings a background in marine biology and a strong commitment to making science accessible and engaging. Her work focuses on translating data into meaningful stories that reconnect people with nature and encourage shared responsibility for environmental protection.
Monika is a recognized practitioner in science-based nutrition. With master’s degrees in human nutrition and biochemical engineering, she combines scientific rigor with clear communication, contributing to evidence-based approaches to sustainable food systems.
Nenad joined ABE with extensive experience in programme development across the Western Balkans. His background includes leading U.S. government–funded initiatives focused on sustainable economy, business cooperation, and democratic governance. His work strengthens ABE’s capacity for strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and long-term impact in agriculture and food systems.
Out of all the projects implemented by ABE, the Alliance was deliberately chosen for presentation as a concrete example of how project results can evolve into long-term, impactful structures. The Alliance originated within the EU-funded AgriCaptureCO₂ project, but its work did not end with the project’s completion. Instead, it has continued to grow as an open network bringing together farmers, experts, researchers, and institutions around a shared goal: healthier soils, more resilient production, and more sustainable agricultural systems.
Presenting the Alliance in an academic setting once again highlighted the importance of connecting science, practice, and policy, and of developing initiatives that remain relevant and effective beyond individual project cycles. Such spaces provide valuable opportunities for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the co-creation of solutions that can be applied in real-world agricultural contexts.
ABE also joined the HASHTAG Horizon Europe project, which focuses on ensuring accuracy, reliability, and trust in automated and autonomous farming technologies. By leveraging Galileo High Accuracy Service and Copernicus Earth Observation data, HASHTAG develops standardized protocols and trusted workflows for sustainable and regenerative agriculture. ABE leads Work Packages 10 and 11, responsible for project communication, visibility, and dissemination.
ABE is also a core partner in ClimaPannonia, a project focused on strengthening climate resilience across the Pannonian Biogeographical Area. Covering six countries, the initiative addresses agroforestry, organic crop production, cattle farming, and the water–food nexus. ABE leads communication, dissemination, and engagement activities to ensure that project knowledge reaches farmers, policymakers, and communities.
In the field of sustainable construction, ABE joined the BIOS MATER project that promotes bio-based innovation, circular value chains, and Safe and Sustainable by Design principles. ABE leads Work Package 7, overseeing communication, dissemination, and public engagement across the project.
Additionally, ABE joined BIKE-HEI, an EIT Higher Education Initiative project supporting AI-powered innovation, entrepreneurship, and institutional transformation in higher education. As a key partner, ABE leads the communication and dissemination work package, amplifying project results across Europe.
The Regenerative Agriculture Alliance of Serbia
Alongside EU-funded projects, ABE coordinates The Regenerative Agriculture Alliance of Serbia, a long-term internal initiative and one of ABE’s most important strategic efforts. The Alliance functions as an open network connecting farmers, researchers, advisors, institutions, and civil society organizations, with the shared goal of improving soil health, biodiversity, and the long-term resilience of agricultural systems.
Strengthening the Network and Partnerships: Throughout the year, the Alliance significantly expanded its network of partners and collaborators. New members include the Ecological Movement of Vrbas, the Seed Association of Serbia, the Institute for Soil Science in Belgrade, and the agricultural cooperative Takovo Berry, which also became a new demonstration farm of the Alliance.
Regenerative Agriculture Field Days: In 2025, the Alliance organized two Regenerative Agriculture Field Days, designed to bring knowledge closer to farmers through real-world examples.
The Field Day in Torak, hosted at the farm of Teodor Baloš, focused on arable farming, the economics of transition, and the long-term effects of reduced tillage and organic matter conservation.
The second Field Day took place in the orchard of Takovo Berry cooperative, with a strong focus on soil health, soil analysis, and microbiological balance. A key message from both events was that regenerative agriculture is not an idealistic concept, but a logical and applicable approach grounded in practical experience.
Open Discussions on Costs and Risks: Through two expert workshops, the Alliance created space for open and honest discussions about the issues most relevant to farmers: the costs of transitioning to regenerative practices, associated risks, and long-term benefits. Experiences from the field confirmed that regenerative agriculture is not a quick fix, but a pathway toward more stable production, reduced dependence on expensive inputs, and increased resilience to climate extremes over time.
The Field Day in Torak, hosted at the farm of Teodor Baloš, focused on arable farming, the economics of transition, and the long-term effects of reduced tillage and organic matter conservation.
The second Field Day took place in the orchard of Takovo Berry cooperative, with a strong focus on soil health, soil analysis, and microbiological balance. A key message from both events was that regenerative agriculture is not an idealistic concept, but a logical and applicable approach grounded in practical experience.
Educational Materials for Practical Application: The Alliance continued to develop and publish educational materials on regenerative agriculture, freely available to producers. Topics included cover crops and their proper termination, direct seeding, adapting existing machinery, and the use of flower strips as a practice that directly contributes to soil health and biodiversity.
European Recognition and Strategic Positioning
ABE’s work was further recognized at the European level. Katarina Đokić, ABE’s Communication and Dissemination Manager, was appointed as a New European Bauhaus (NEB) Advisor within the Nebula Built4People project, contributing to people-centered, sustainable innovation in the built environment.
ABE also officially joined the Built4People (B4P) Innovation Clusters, reinforcing its commitment to climate-friendly, high-performing, and socially responsible solutions for the built environment across Europe.
Looking Ahead
By combining EU-funded research and innovation projects with hands-on, field-based initiatives such as The Regenerative Agriculture Alliance of Serbia, The Association of Balkan Eco-Innovation continues to work toward practical sustainability, long-term resilience, and systemic change across agriculture, food systems, and the built environment in Serbia, the Western Balkans, and Europe.
