New Horizon Europe project brings together science, farming, industry and policy to strengthen grass-based livestock systems and unlock the multiple benefits of Europe’s grasslands.
Europe’s grasslands are much more than a source of feed for livestock. They support food production and rural livelihoods while providing essential ecosystem services, from carbon sequestration and water purification to biodiversity conservation and landscape maintenance. Recognising and strengthening these multiple benefits is at the heart of GrassConnect, a new Horizon Europe research and innovation project bringing together actors across Europe to support more multifunctional grass-based livestock systems.
Yet, these systems are facing growing pressures. Agricultural intensification in some regions, abandonment in others and the impacts of climate change threaten their capacity to deliver these multiple benefits. GrassConnect aims to help address these challenges by connecting scientific knowledge with practical needs and developing tools and approaches for better grassland management, ecosystem-service monitoring and informed decision-making.
Coordinated by INRAE, France’s National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment, GrassConnect brings together a broad, multidisciplinary consortium spanning universities and research institutes, agricultural and livestock organisations, environmental and policy organisations, technology and industry actors, and specialists in stakeholder engagement and communication.
Backed by almost €8 million in EU funding and running for four and a half years, GrassConnect puts collaboration at the centre of its approach. Through 13 Multi-Actor Grassland Hubs, MAGHubs, across 11 countries, the project will bring together farmers, technical advisers, researchers, industry representatives, environmental and regulatory actors, NGOs and citizens. Covering diverse grassland systems and climatic conditions, the hubs will provide real-world environments for identifying needs, exchanging knowledge and developing and testing solutions together.
The project also looks beyond the farm, exploring how the ecosystem services provided by grasslands can be better recognised and incentivised. Its results will support private actors in recognising the value of these services while providing policymakers with evidence and tools for more targeted support and payments for ecosystem services.
From European collaboration to action on the ground
GrassConnect officially began on 1 September 2026, with its consortium gathering in Clermont-Ferrand, France, from 15 to 17 September for the project’s Kick-off Meeting. The meeting marked the start of the collaboration and laid the foundations for the work ahead.
The event brought together 32 organisations from 14 countries. Participants discussed the project’s work packages and first-year work plans, communication and dissemination activities and the development of the MAGHubs. The programme also included training for MAGHub facilitators, a field visit to the experimental pastures at INRAE Laqueuille and a farm visit to Ferme Le Roc in Orcival.
During the GrassConnect Kick-off Meeting in Clermont-Ferrand, Dr. Frédéric Joly, on behalf of the Coordinator, INRAE, commented:
“Many people from a wide range of disciplines are already working to preserve grasslands and their multifunctionality. Our aim is to connect these efforts to amplify their impact.”
With the project now officially underway, GrassConnect moves into action, working towards delivering meaningful results for Europe’s grasslands and grass-based livestock systems.