Activities National and International projects

National and International projects

MedAgriFoodResilience - Socio-environmental shocks assessment and resilience empowerment in Mediterranean agri-food heritage systems: Italy, Morocco, Algeria FAO GIAHS sites

The project focuses on studying three GIAHS sites (in Italy, Morocco and Algeria) applying a multidisciplinary approach to identify the possible social and environmental shocks impacting agroforestry and agri-food heritage systems in the Mediterranean area, linking together landscape structure, climatological studies, social role and biodiversity assessment. Over the centuries, local communities have adapted to challenging environmental conditions such as a dry and hot climate, water scarcity and steep slopes. The selected agroforestry and agricultural systems are also connected to the Mediterranean Diet that is considered fundamental for food security and for the health of local communities. Traditional agroforestry and agri-food systems have demonstrated to be more resilient towards possible shocks than modern and intensive food systems. The results of the project will lead to the identification of the best practices to be replicated in other traditional agroforestry and agri-food systems to increase the adaptation and resilience to social and/or environmental systems shocks. One of the main outputs of the project will be the creation of an informal network of GIAHS sites in the Mediterranean area (MedGIAHS Network), that will act as a multidisciplinary network dedicated to the development and safeguarding of agricultural heritage systems. MedGIAHS Network will help in exchanging experiences, researches and best practices among different traditional agroforestry and agri-food systems, and to plan future common activities. Moreover, MedGIAHS Network will be crucial for the dissemination and exploitation of the project results and for their replication and transferability, and therefore will be of great interest for the FAO GIAHS Programme Secretariat.

For more information visit www.medagrifood.eu

 

 

BUILDING CAPACITY: INTERNATIONAL ADVANCED TRAINING COURSE ON GIAHS (Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) for the resilience evaluation in three different socio-environmental and bio-cultural frameworks: Africa, Asia and Latin America

The project, co-funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), aims to promote the knowledge of agricultural heritage systems and traditional landscapes, supporting the FAO GIAHS Programme, through training and research activities, especially in the AICS Priority Countries. The GIAHS Programme is aimed at the worldwide identification of agro-silvo-pastoral systems that reflect the ingenuity of human adaptation to the environment, expressing the richness of biocultural diversity and the relationship between man and nature, able to sustain livelihoods for local communities. Following new multidisciplinary approaches that consider agricultural heritage systems and landscapes as an opportunity for the future of rural areas, it is necessary to train managers capable of identifying, managing and valorising these agricultural systems. The specific objective of the Master Course activated in the framework of the “Building Capacity: International advanced training course on GIAHS” project is to train students on how to effectively manage and identify agricultural heritage systems and landscapes including them in a sustainable development model of the rural territory, harmonizing economic, social and environmental processes. The Course offers a very specific training on rural landscapes, creating an expert capable of informing decision- making processes and research strategies, in the framework of the governance of the rural territory.

For more information visit www.agriculturalheritage.com

 

 

Monitoring system and Forest Management Plan for the UNESCO Site Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene

Located in north-eastern Italy, the UNESCO Site “Le Colline del Prosecco di Conegliano e Valdobbiadene” includes part of the winegrowing landscape of the Prosecco wine production area. The landscape is characterized by ‘hogback’ hills (so-called ciglioni, small plots of vines on narrow grassy terraces), forests, linear tree formations, and small villages. For centuries, this rugged terrain has been shaped and adapted by man. Since the 17th century, the use of ciglioni has created a particular mosaic landscape consisting of vineyards which are often connected to one another by small woodlands, hedges, rows of trees that serve also as corridors connecting different habitats. The result is a harmonious landscape with outstanding scenic values that maintains a delicate environmental and functional balance.

The staff of the UNESCO Chair is involved in the set-up of a landscape monitoring system of the local cultural landscape to identify and measure landscape changes and main vulnerabilities. In addition, since most of the area is occupied by forests, small woody patches and linear tree formations, a Forest Management Plan is under preparation with the aim of providing guidelines to management bodies, regarding a sustainable forest management strategy capable of preserving the landscape features that have allowed the site to be inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

For more information visit www.unesco.beniculturali.it/projects/prosecco

 

 

The Italian Register of rural landscapes of historical interest, agricultural practices and traditional knowledge and the related Association

In 2012, contextually to the establishment of the National Observatory of rural landscape, agricultural practices and traditional knowledge (ONPR), the Italian Ministry of agricultural, food and forestry policies created the National Register of rural landscapes of historical interest, agricultural practices and traditional knowledge. The National Register was set up in order to collect applications from interested institutions and organizations throughout the country which meet certain eligibility requirements approved at the Permanent State-Regions Conference. In the framework of the National Register the Ministry is cataloguing traditional rural landscapes or landscapes of historical interest, related traditional practices and knowledge, defining their significance, integrity and vulnerability, considering both scientific assessments and the values they are attributed by the local communities concerned. Following the verification process of the eligibility requirements carried out by the ONPR, with a decree signed by the Minister containing the mention that explains the reasons for the recognition, historical rural landscapes, agricultural practices and traditional knowledge are inscribed in the Register.

At the current stage (January 2023) a number of 27 historical rural landscapes and 4 agricultural practices are inscribed in the National Register of rural landscapes of historical interest, agricultural practices and traditional knowledge. The staff of the UNESCO Chair is involved in the set-up of a dedicated Association including the involved territorial entities and organizations as active members whose mission is to safeguard, promote and valorize these unique areas through the implementation of different projects and initiatives.

For more information visit www.reterurale.it/registropaesaggi and www.reterurale.it