This project is carried out with the contribution of the European Union’s LIFE financial instrument.

The LIFE Program is the main financial instrument of the European Commission for the support of environmental and nature conservation projects.

The Quercus-based silvopastoral systems of the Mediterranean basin biome (for example dehesas, montados and meriagos that cover up to 6 mln ha in the EU) are in rapid decline. Estimates show that dehesas currently produce a deficit of 200€/ha. Prices for their products are similar to those 30 years ago, and land owners face losses of up to 500€/ha due to phytophtora-related diseases. It is estimated that these agro silvopastoral lands have lost up to 20% of their value and currently lose millions of euros in productivity each year.

Simultaneously, agro-subsidies are steadily decreasing. In 2015, farmers in Andalucía reported up to 60% of cutbacks in CAP subsidies. Regional subsidies in this area now only cover about 8% of landowners. In Sardinia, rural abandonment has caused an increasing of the number of rented and leased farms and the loss of local typical micro-economies.

Many anthropogenic and environmental factors challenge the survival and sustainability of these valuable ecosystems. The younger generation inheriting these broken systems needs to transform current production models into cost-efficient operations that work with nature, not against it. They will have to lower input costs, find alternative sources of income, recycle resources, stimulate natural regeneration, improve soil and increase farm productivity so that their land can become economically and environmentally sustainable.

Here you can read the official form of the project "Regenerate" (LIFE16 ENV/ES/276) found on the europa.eu webpage.