The project aimed at two main objectives: 1: We wanted to create knowledge among young people about new agroforestry systems enabling greater resource production, with less land use and more respect for the planet. 2: We wished to provide young people with practical tools to create their own project or business in the field of agroforestry, whether in the form of a company, association or organization. These objectives were to be achieved through two concrete results: - a theoretical, practical and technical manual on agroforestry. - a digital card game on plant consortiums in agroforestry systems. The project thus aspired to empower the young generation with valuable knowledge and practical skills, while raising awareness about the importance of wise use of land, agriculture and forest resources.
The Design Agroforestry project addressed environmental and social challenges identified in the partner regions. The specific needs were: the depletion of soil microbiology, the decline in forest health, climatic impacts such as extreme temperatures and reduced precipitation threatening biodiversity and agricultural productivity; the risk of rural depopulation and the absence of viable economic opportunities for young people leading to their exodus to urban centers; the lack of familiarity among young Europeans with agroforestry as a nature-based solution and entrepreneurial opportunity; the absence of practical tools and training to create agroforestry businesses contributing to the fight against climate change. We applied because the partnership between FLTM (Belgium), specialized in social spaces, inclusion and entrepreneurship, and REGEN (Italy), expert in reforestation, agroforestry and permaculture, combined complementary skills to address these challenges in a holistic manner.