The transition toward sustainable agriculture and forestry requires more than just new technologies, it requires behavioral change. Recently, the ABE team traveled to Politecnico di Milano for the third PRUDENT project consortium meeting. This gathering marked a pivotal moment for the project, bringing partners together to reflect on our progress, align our strategies, and prepare for the exciting next phase of implementation. Katarina Đokić and Tamara Popović attended the meeting.
What is the PRUDENT project?
Funded under the Horizon Europe research and innovation framework, PRUDENT is a 4-year initiative that aspires to change how agricultural and forestry systems operate. The project’s main goal is to accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture, forestry practices, and smart farming technologies.
How does it achieve this? By identifying and evaluating the most effective “green nudges”. PRUDENT develops innovative nudging tools and transformative pathways designed to encourage farmers, foresters, and other stakeholders to adopt fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly practices.
Key highlights from the Milan meeting
The three-day consortium meeting in Milan was packed with intensive discussions, collaborative planning, and knowledge exchange. Here is a look at the main focus areas:
Advancing core work packages: Partners discussed about testing innovative green nudging practices and exploring sustainable business models. A major talking point was how to strategically position these green nudges within future Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and European Green Deal frameworks.
Rolling out experiments and digital tools: Partners emphasized the upcoming rollout of field experiments. Dedicated sessions were held on deploying new digital tools and, most importantly, integrating direct feedback from farmers and foresters to ensure our solutions are practical, user-friendly, and highly impactful on the ground.
Real-World use cases: Partners shared valuable insights and early lessons learned from the project’s various use cases across Europe. This grounded scientific research in real-world contexts, highlighting the specific regional challenges and opportunities.
Communication and dissemination: The final sessions addressed project coordination, communication, and dissemination strategies, key areas where ABE actively contributes to ensure the project’s findings reach the right audiences.
A shared commitment to change
Beyond the formal sessions, the informal networking moments in Milan greatly strengthened the connections across the international consortium, fostering a shared sense of purpose.
The discussions underscored both the complexity of transforming food and forestry systems and the collective commitment of the PRUDENT project partners to drive meaningful, long-lasting change. By combining behavioral science with practical agronomy, we are one step closer to a sustainable future for Europe’s land managers.
