United in Protecting Biodiversity: The FarmBioNet and RestPoll Partnership
The future of our planet depends on collective action, and collaboration is key. Research and actions aimed at protecting biodiversity must be interconnected and united to create a lasting impact. That is why FarmBioNet actively collaborates with similar projects to foster knowledge exchange and promote the integration of research findings and practices.
We are excited to announce our partnership with RestPoll, a Horizon Europe project dedicated to restoring pollinator habitats across agricultural landscapes in Europe. This strategic collaboration represents a significant step forward in adopting, expanding, and sharing biodiversity-friendly farming practices.
Meet RestPoll
RestPoll is a Horizon Europe project funded by the European Union, with the aim of equipping society with the tools needed to reverse the decline of wild pollinators.
The project brings together a diverse consortium of natural and social scientists, NGOs, businesses, and government ministries. At the heart of RestPoll is the establishment of a Europe-wide network of pollinator restoration case study areas and Living Labs. These Living Labs serve as real-world hubs for experimentation, demonstration, and mutual learning, where science, policy, and practice come together.
RestPoll’s core objectives include:
- Providing open access to knowledge on pollinator restoration
- Demonstrating how restoration can bring benefits and co-benefits to both nature and people
- Supporting the development of pollinator-friendly policies and market conditions
- Co-developing Living Labs to showcase best practice restoration across Europe
- Testing transferable, co-designed tools for adaptive pollinator restoration
- Validating the context-dependence and synergistic effects of various restoration measures
About the FarmBioNet Project
FarmBioNet is a Horizon Europe project that aims to bridge knowledge gaps and promote the widespread adoption of biodiversity-friendly farming (BFF) practices.
The project brings together 19 partners from 13 countries, united in developing a clear research approach to better understand the effectiveness of current BFF practices. This includes combining data from partner surveys and other research methods to evaluate the ecological and economic benefits of BFF practices.
At the core of FarmBioNet is the creation of a European network composed of 12 national Farming and Biodiversity Networks (FaB NNs). These national networks will facilitate the exchange of both traditional knowledge and evidence-based practices, supporting learning, collaboration, and capacity-building among stakeholders.
As part of its activities, the project will also present 12 inspirational case studies focusing on farmers’ perspectives of managing agricultural and/or forested land within Natura 2000 sites.
To support informed decision-making, FarmBioNet will also develop two easy-to-use tools:
- Navigator – a user-friendly tool that helps farmers identify the most relevant funding opportunities available in their region to support BFF implementation.
- Calculator – a cost-benefit analysis tool designed to help farmers quickly assess how different BFF practices can benefit their farm, both ecologically and economically.
Through this integrated approach, FarmBioNet empowers farmers and stakeholders with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to adopt and implement biodiversity-friendly farming practices across Europe.
Why FarmBioNet and RestPoll Partnership Matters
By joining forces, FarmBioNet and RestPoll aim to achieve a greater impact on the protection and restoration of biodiversity across European agricultural landscapes. The two projects are deeply interconnected, while RestPoll focuses on restoring pollinator habitats, FarmBioNet promotes biodiversity-friendly farming practices that enhance habitats, such as flower-rich grasslands, hedgerows, and creeks, which are essential for pollinators to thrive.
This collaboration enables:
- Stronger Knowledge Exchange.
Joint workshops, shared resources, and cross-project communication will allow researchers and practitioners to learn from each other’s findings in real time
- Wider Stakeholder Engagement.
Each project brings its own networks, combining them means a broader reach, gathering more diverse feedback, and amplifying their impact. Coordinated events and outreach campaigns will foster deeper connections with farmers, policymakers, and local communities.
- Greater Impact Across Europe.
Through aligned recommendations, joint dissemination, and increased visibility, the collaboration will support the uptake of effective practices at both national and EU levels. This will help ensure that the outcomes of both projects are integrated into long-term European strategies.