EU4SUPA Project Launched to Modernize Sustainable Pastoralism Across Europe
A new Erasmus+ initiative brings together seven European organizations to strengthen pastoral training, protect biodiversity, and support rural communities.
About EU4SUPA
EU4SUPA – European Union for Sustainable Pastoralism
Duration: 30 months (2024–2027)
Programme: Erasmus+ KA220-VET
Coordinator: Fundación Monte Mediterráneo (FMM), Spain
Partners: CESEFOR (ES), INNSAMBLE (ES), AGROM-RO (RO), AU-Plovdiv (BG), HAUP (AT), D.R.E.Am. Italia (IT).
The EU4SUPA project – European Union for Sustainable Pastoralism – officially launched its activities, on the 1st of November 2025, with the start of a 30-month transnational collaboration aimed at revitalizing pastoralism through innovative vocational education and training (VET). Funded under the Erasmus+ programme, co-financed by the European Union, the initiative responds to the urgent environmental, socio-economic, and cultural challenges faced by pastoral communities across Europe.
Pastoralism plays a critical role in conserving biodiversity, preventing land degradation, mitigating wildfires, and sustaining rural economies. Yet the sector is under increasing pressure due to climate change, depopulation of rural areas, and the erosion of traditional ecological knowledge. EU4SUPA brings together a diverse partnership from Spain, Italy, Austria, Bulgaria, and Romania to create a modern, sustainability-oriented training pathway that empowers both current and future pastoralists.
The core of the project is to modernize pastoral education, strengthen environmental sustainability in rangelands, preserve traditional knowledge, and enhance the attractiveness of pastoralism as a profession.
During the kick-off meeting, partners highlighted the strong motivation behind the project: the need to professionalize pastoralism and strengthen environmental resilience. Building on previous cooperation experiences, the consortium will co-create a comprehensive learning programme that integrates scientific knowledge with traditional practices.
The project places particular emphasis on the EU priorities of environment and climate action, inclusion and diversity, and the alignment of VET with labor market needs.
EU4SUPA will:
- Develop a collaborative knowledge model through Pasture and Rangeland Labs in six European regions
- Create an innovative curriculum and online training programme on sustainable pastoralism
- Pilot and validate training modules using blended learning methodologies
- Establish a European network for sustainable pastoralism, connecting educators, pastoralists, researchers, and policymakers
This effort aligns strongly with the upcoming 2026 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, offering a unique opportunity to raise visibility and build long-term momentum for the sector.