Down to Earth's 3rd Thematic Conference and 6th Study Visit in Galicia (Spain)
The Institute for Urban Excellence (iUE), advisory partner of the Interreg Down to Earth project, was in Galicia (Spain) in early February 2026 for the project’s sixth Study Visit. Finalising its third year and wrapping-up the project’s core phase, the visit focused on the topic of policy instruments that strengthen the role of farmers and land managers in fighting climate change.
The trip’s first day saw the organisation of the project’s 3rd Thematic Conference, an international event bringing together researchers, local farmers, entrepreneurs and sector experts to discuss climate resilience in the agroforestry sector. Titled ‘Managing Land to Protect Territories: Good Practices for Rural Resilience,’ the event also provided the opportunity to present the third Joint Thematic Report developed by the Down to Earth consortium. iUE is currently working on accompanying factsheets and infographics for further dissemination of the project’s research outputs, which will be released after the report’s official publication.
After a steering committee meeting on February 3rd, the trip’s second and third days were dedicated to site visits. Project partners met with local farmers and lang managers working on biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, agroecology and social services, and exchanged on adaptation and mitigation strategies implemented on the ground.
The visit, organised by regional partner Fundación Juana de Vega, was a great opportunity for fruitful discussions and overall an inspiring exchange between representatives of the participating regions on the research conducted thus far. As Down to Earth now enters its follow-up phase, iUE will focus its efforts on further disseminating the project’s research outputs, ensuring the knowledge informs other Europan rural regions to better adapt and mitigate the impacts of climate change, as well as communities under processes of depopulation and ageing population.
Photo: Daniele Fiorentino
Photo: Daniele Fiorentino
Find out more about this study tour and the Down to Earth project here.