Agri-food systems in Central Eastern Europe (CEE) are key to achieving the EU climate goals. To deliver these goals, strategic planning and integrated policies are needed that will enable reduced emissions, increased carbon removals, and at the same time support biodiversity and adaptation. Ambitious climate targets for the agri-food sector are needed, as well as alignment of the national strategic plans under the Common Agricultural Policy with climate targets and the European Green Deal objectives.

The project aims to strengthen the collaboration and exchange of experiences among stakeholders in order support strategic planning for climate neutral and resilient agri-food systems in CEE. Combining policy analysis and workshops, the project will:

1. increase awareness and knowledge of:
   • agricultural measures that deliver both climate and other environmental and socio-economic benefits
   • risks and trade-offs associated with some solutions
   • the need for holistic policies that recognize not just the role of improved emission intensity (CO₂ footprint of agricultural products), but also reducing total emissions alongside the need to manage intensity of agricultural production, and long-term productivity and resilience of agricultural systems
2. analyse the climate ambition set in the national strategic plans of the Common Agricultural Policy (CSPs) for the 2023-2027 and national climate policies, and providing insights into where gaps and opportunities are to improve the alignment of the CAP with long-term climate targets
3. enable collaborative conversations and networking among stakeholders for implementing win-win measures and integrated agri-climate policies in CEE

The project focuses on 11 CEE countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Online workshops, project report and policy brief will be presented.