Behavioural, Ecological and Socio-economic
Tools for Modelling Agricultural Policy

BESTMAP (Behavioural, Ecological & Socio-Economic Tools for Modelling Agricultural Policy) addresses the topic RUR-04-2018 "Analytical tools and models to support policies related to the agriculture and food", the "Socio-economic science and humanities" cross-cutting priority and the "Rural Renaissance" call. Around 40% of European Union land is agricultural. Processes like land-use intensification and climate change threaten the ecosystem services...

This press release has been published in EurekAlert and AlphaGalieo. On February 7, 2024, BESTMAP marked the end of the four-year project with a significant Final Dissemination Event in Brussels, Belgium. Titled "Research Lessons to Inform Future CAP Reform," the event was coordinated by project partners - RISE Foundation in collaboration with BESTMAP's sister projects within the AGRIMODELS cluster, all under the Forum for the Future of...

BESTMAP is thrilled to announce that it has been acknowledged by the Innovations News Network, a prominent platform focusing on research, emerging science, policy, and innovation on a global scale. Since its launch in early 2020, Innovations News Network has rapidly become a primary source for the latest developments in diverse sectors. The Innovations News Network doesn't just deliver daily news updates, it actively seeks articles and features from global policymakers,...

As part of the communication and dissemination activities, BESTMAP took the opportunity to further explain the ongoing efforts, activities and outcomes from the five case study areas - Bačka, Catalonia, South Moravia, Humber and Mulde. With the purpose of informing and involving local authorities and stakeholders, we conducted video interviews with BESTMAP Case Study leaders. Conducted in the respective local languages, these interviews aim to facilitate enhanced engagement with...

On February 7, 2024, the final dissemination event of BESTMAP, titled "Research Lesson to Inform Future CAP reform" took place. The event was coordinated by the project's partners from RISE Foundation, in collaboration with BESTMAP's sister projects within the AGRIMODELS cluster and under the umbrella of the ForumForAg initiative. The conference commenced with a welcoming speech by Tassos Haniotis, an advisor for sustainable productivity at the Form for the Future...

Two new one-page articles have been developed by Cambridge Econometrics prior to the project's completion. The first one is called "Biodiversity and Agri-Environmental Practices in BESTMAP case studies" and it is on the topic of how the project ssesses the effectiveness of agri-environmental practices (AEPs) under the Common Agricultural Policy. More insights include: "The project's biophysical models compared AEP outcomes across five case studies, revealing positive...

The registration form for BESTMAP's final event, where we will delve into crucial questions surrounding the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), is now open. With a focus on transitioning to sustainable practices, combating biodiversity loss, and tackling climate change, the event will feature high-level panellists and a robust discussion on the impact of current agro-environmental policies. The heart of our discourse will revolve around exploring how the CAP can better contribute...

This press release has been published in EurekAlert! and AlphaGalileo. As a result of the 4-year-long activities for the Horizon 2020 BESTMAP project, five policy briefs were developed and released this year, addressing crucial agricultural aspects. The EU project BESTMAP has been actively developing a framework focused on modelling the impact of specific agri-environment practices (AEP) in five different case study areas - Humber region in the UK, Catalonia in Spain, the...

BESTMAP is delighted to officially announce the upcoming Final Dissemination Event, which will take place on 7th February, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. This significant for the project event, titled "Research Lessons to Inform Future CAP Reform", is coordinated by the project's partners from RISE Foundation in collaboration with BESTMAP's sisters projects within the AGRIMODELS cluster and under the umbrella of the...

Wishing you and your loved ones a festive season filled with joy, laughter, and peace! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

As we close the chapter on 2023, BESTMAP reflects on a year filled with significant achievements. We give a special thanks to our project partners for their dedication and commitment. Watch our latest video to get a preview of BESTMAP's fourth year through the most notable events. 

BESTMAP is delighted to share the exciting news of receiving recognition from the Innovations News Network, a leading platform dedicated to research, emerging science, policy, and innovation worldwide. Launched in early 2020, Innovations News Network has swiftly become a go-to source for the latest news across various sectors. Our project has secured a dedicated banner placement on the Innovations News Network website for the next six months. Visitors can now easily spot the BESTMAP banner...

BESTMAP had the honour of participating in The Global Conference on Biodiversity and Monitoring, organised by GEO BON and its partners from 10-13 October 2023 in Montreal, Canada. The topic this year was ‘Monitoring Biodiversity for Action’. A central focus of this year's GEO BON conference was the development of best practices and new technologies for biodiversity observations and monitoring to support transformative policy and conservation action. The conference provided a...

The eighth edition of BESTMAP's newsletter has been released. Access it here or visit our dedicated newsletter section and read about the latest news from BESTMAP and the Agrimodels Cluster. As BESTMAP is reaching its final stage, we are dedicatedly focused on maximising the project's impact. Curious to find out what lies ahed? Check out our latest newsletter and stay tuned for more updates.

In the captivating city of Barcelona, the BESTMAP consortium held its fourth and final annual meeting from October 17th to 19th, 2023. The event was organised and hosted by Cristina Domingo, representing CREAF Institute, within the prestigious surroundings of the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB) campus. As the project approaches its conclusion in the coming year, this meeting offered the consortium a chance to revisit and reflect on the project's core objectives, among...

In a comprehensive study across five BESTMAP case study regions, farmers' perspectives on agricultural policy instruments were examined. Covering the Humber region in the UK, Catalonia in Spain, the Mulde region in Germany, South Moravia in the Czech Republic, and the Bačka region in Serbia. This study led to the launch of the #BESTMAP_CaseStudies campaign, inspired by the research done by project members, available in the paper 'Adoption and Potential of Agri-Environmental...

Nestled between the mighty Danube River and the Tisa River, the Bačka region enjoys the advantages of these waterways, enhancing its agricultural potential. Bačka, with its flat terrain and fertile soil, is known for intensive agriculture and the primarily focus is on general cropping, with staples like wheat and maize dominating the landscape. Additionally, horticulture, fruit-growing, and scattered vegetable production are essential. The decline of grasslands,...

Situated in the northeastern part of Spain, Catalonia encompasses a substantial 32,000 square kilometers. This region benefits from a Mediterranean climate, but its unique topography creates diverse microclimates, ranging from alpine to coastal Mediterranean. A significant 40% of Catalonia's vast land is devoted to agriculture, underlining its pivotal role in the regional economy and cultural heritage. The primary crops cultivated here include wheat, barley, and maize, along with...

The Mulde region, nestled in eastern Germany, stands as a testament to the evolution of agriculture in response to changing demands and environmental challenges. Spanning 5,800 square kilometers, this region encompasses a diverse landscape, from the flat plains of the Pleistocene Elbe-Mulde lowlands in the north to the picturesque Ore Mountains in the south. Agriculture in the Mulde region reflects this varied topography. Farmers have adapted their practices to suit these landscapes,...

We are delighted to announce a significant milestone for BESTMAP - a series of five comprehensive policy briefs, each specifically tailored to address pivotal aspects within the project's Case Studies spanning the United Kingdom, Germany, the Czech Republic, Spain, and Serbia. In line with BESTMAP's mission to contribute to evidence-based decision-making, these briefs explore key challenges and opportunities identified within the European agricultural sector and in the previously...