GrassConnect
Connecting actors to enhance multifunctionality in grass-based livestock sector through ecosystem service, monitoring and informed decision-making.
GrassConnect is a European project dedicated to protecting grass-based livestock farms, which are vital for our food security and provide essential ecosystem services, such as carbon storage, water purification, and the maintenance of iconic landscapes. To tackle growing threats from climate change and shifting land use , the project establishes a powerful network of 13 Multi-Actor Grassland Hubs (MAGHubs) across 11 countries. These hubs bring together farmers, scientists, industry leaders, and citizens to co-design sustainable, locally adapted farming strategies. To support these strategies on the ground, GrassConnect is developing user-friendly digital tools that integrate Earth Observation data from satellites like Copernicus. These advanced tools will help monitor and assess these ecosystem services, guiding daily farm management and ultimately helping policymakers and businesses fairly reward farmers for their environmental stewardship , ensuring a climate-resilient food system and safeguarding rural livelihoods.
| Funding program | Horizon Europe |
|---|---|
| Call | HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-06 |
| GA No. | 101286371 |
| Duration | 54 months |
| EC Funding | € 7,999,088.71 |
| Website | grassconnect.eu |
| # Sectors | climatechange, sustainability, sustainablefoodsystems |
Connecting actors to enhance multifunctionality in grass-based livestock sector through ecosystem service, monitoring and informed decision-making.
- 32 Organisations
- 14 Countries
- 13 Multi-Actor Grassland Hubs (MAGHubs) across 11 countries
- 40+ demo events with >200 participants
- 13+ onsite trainings
- 20+ protocols and methods for monitoring, reporting and verification of ecosystem services
- 1 multifunctionality calculator to guide farmers, advisors and policymakers
In the GrassConnect project, reframe.food plays a critical role in bridging ground-level action with broad public impact. Within Work Package 1 (Task 1.3), RFF leads the MAGHub Management Unit, guiding the 13 demonstration hubs to co-design and implement tailored action plans. They actively monitor these plans using specific indicators and organize quarterly meetings, ensuring local farm needs align seamlessly with the project’s wider scientific and technical goals.
Additionally, RFF leads Work Package 6, driving the project’s Dissemination, Exploitation, and Communication (DEC) strategy. This involves translating complex research into an accessible “Practice Oriented Toolkit” for farmers, managing the project’s digital presence, and organizing on-farm demonstrations to foster peer-to-peer learning. RFF also oversees intellectual property sustainability and builds synergies with other European initiatives, ensuring GrassConnect’s innovations achieve lasting, real-world adoption.