The business she built from milk
18/08/2026
Mamura Mingbaeva still wakes up before sunrise to work on her farm in Uzbekistan, just as she has done every day in the past 30 years. In her community,...
FAO helps Georgia protect native livestock breeds via AI
31/07/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) brought national stakeholders together in Tbilisi this week for a workshop on animal...
Belarus advances in the promotion of its flax production agricultural heritage system
30/07/2026
Belarus took an important step towards the international recognition of its agricultural heritage at an event in the Vitebsk region this week. Flax...
Gender equality in sustainable forest management: why it matters
23/07/2026
Sustainable forest management not only helps reduce forest degradation but also supports poverty reduction and improves livelihoods. Achieving these...
Aspirations and realities of rural youth in Georgia
15/07/2026
In Georgia, farming remains at the heart of rural life. At the same time, limited local employment opportunities, financial insecurity, and unequal...
FAO helps table grape growers in the Republic of Moldova grow – in their own fields
26/06/2026
For generations, table grapes have been one of the most important agricultural products in the Republic of Moldova. The country produces over 130 000...
From small beginnings, moving forward
24/06/2026
“You can’t keep cows just for profit. You have to love the animal. You have to love the land. You have to love the work itself.”
For 39-year-old...
FAO brings countries together in Estonia to explore the LEADER approach for sustainable agrifood systems’ transformation
19/06/2026
Representatives from across Europe gathered in Tartu, Estonia, on 3–4 June 2026 for a technical workshop on the European Union’s
Young Macedonian artist among global winners of the FAO World Food Day 2025 Poster Contest
09/06/2026
Twelve-year-old Tomo Popovski from Skopje has been selected as one of the global winners of the FAO World Food Day 2025 Poster Contest, marking the...
1 000 initiatives and beyond: how FAO’s AgriTech Observatory helps navigate digital agriculture
02/06/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Europe and Central Asia held a webinar celebrating the growth of its AgriTech Observatory,...
United Nations helps farmers regain safe access to agricultural land in Ukraine
22/05/2026
Thousands of hectares of agricultural land in Khersonska oblast in Ukraine remain uncultivated due to explosive ordnance contamination combined with...
Proven solutions, practical approaches help advance sustainable food and agriculture in Europe and Central Asia
21/05/2026
Partnership, sustainability, digital innovations, investment and empowering women farmers – these were the core topics of several side and special events...
Young teacher helps improve rural life in Tajikistan
10/05/2026
In Lolazor, a village in western Tajikistan, most families rely on what they grow, raise or trade with neighbours.
Women here play a central role...
Where cattle graze and milk becomes tradition
07/05/2026
From spring through autumn, while Nino Nugzarashvili’s husband guides their cattle across Kaspi’s communal rangelands in Georgia, she transforms the...
FAO and Armenia roll out joint plan for agrifood systems transformation for 2026–2030
30/04/2026
On 30 Aprils, Gevorg Papoyan, Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, and Raimund Jehle, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization...
Georgian aquaculture farmers boost food safety, biosecurity practices
27/04/2026
Fish farmers in Georgia have enhanced their knowledge and practical skills in food safety and aquatic animal health management through a five-day...
This Regional Priority Programme uses a complex, multidisciplinary and area-based development approach, tailored to the Europe and Central Asia region. It takes into consideration the region’s heterogeneity and the special challenges it faces.
The overall goal is to address the key problems of rural people by empowering smallholders and family farms to improve their livelihoods. Elimination of rural poverty, improving the resilience of rural populations (with a focus on smallholders) and inclusive growth for rural economies based on sustainable use of natural resources are the basic principles of the Priority Programme.
The work focuses equally on technical issues (animal health, production, phytosanitary and so forth) and social, economic and environmental aspects. Inclusiveness – with respect to gender and vulnerable groups, for example – is also a key principle.
The Priority Programme tackles two main areas: (1) policy, institutions and governance, and (2) farms and communities. Priority actions include strengthening governance and policies, building capacities, enhancing participatory approaches, supporting small holders in sustainable production technologies, supporting land consolidation processes, income diversification, and improving smallholder access to markets, rural finance and value chains.
The Priority Programme aims to achieve the following results:
- Increased participation of farmers and rural communities in national development;
- Enhanced sustainable and inclusive growth of rural economies;
- Improved sustainable management of natural resources.
Activities are in the following areas:
- sustainable management of agricultural land and water resources;
- intensification of smallholders’ production in a sustainable manner;
- strengthening the organizations of small producers and family farms;
- enhancing rural services – such as advisory services and micro-loans.
Results are foreseen mainly in:
- increased participation of farmers and rural communities in national development;
- enhanced sustainable and inclusive growth of rural economies;
- improved sustainable management of natural resources;
- dissemination of sustainable agricultural best practices;
- strengthened governance to support producers and resource managers;
- enhanced and equitable access by smallholders to productive resources, services, organizations and markets;
- development of inclusive and efficient agribusinesses and agrifood chains.
Events
8/9
2026
10/9
2026
17th International LANDNET Workshop and Second Inter-Regional and Global Policy Solutions Forum for Family Farming
Budapest (Hungary), 08/09/2026 - 10/09/2026
The 17th International LANDNET Workshop is organized jointly with the Second Inter-Regional and Global Policy Solutions Forum for Family Farming, under the overarching theme of land governance, access to land and land reform. The event will have a global reach with the expected participation of 150 experts from more than 40 countries to discuss and facilitate the ...
21/5
2026
AgriTech Observatory - Navigating Digital Agriculture in Europe and Central Asia: Where We Stand, Where We’re Going
Virtual Event, 21/05/2026
The FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) invites researchers, technology providers, UN partners, IFIs and policymakers to a webinar marking a milestone for the region's digital agriculture community: over 1 000 initiatives catalogued by the AgriTech Observatory — and the moment to put them to work through active use, contribution and partnerships.
14/5
2026
From rights to results – Empowering women farmers for efficient agrifood systems in Europe and Central Asia
Hybrid Event, 14/05/2026
The overall objective of the special event is to celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer by showcasing the promising practices and successful experiences of women farmers from across Europe and Central Asia, with a focus on opportunities offered by sustainable and circular bioeconomy initiatives. The event will create a space to voice the realities women face as farmers, articulate...
3/6
2026
4/6
2026
From theory to action: EU LEADER approach in non-EU countries
Tartu (Estonia), 03/06/2026 - 04/06/2026
FAO is organizing a technical workshop on 3-4 June 2026 in Tartu, Estonia to build an understanding of the role of the European Union’s (EU) LEADER approach and its application in the context of sustainable transformation of local food systems based on country experiences and challenges.
30/3
2026
Consultative dialogue of youth in Europe and Central Asia
Virtual Event, 30/03/2026
As part of the preparatory process for the Regional Conference for Europe (ERC35) and aligned with the FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031, the regional Consultative dialogue of youth in Europe and Central Asia aims to ensure that the voices, priorities, and lived experiences of young people in the region are meaningfully reflected in FAO’s regional priorities for the 2026–2027 biennium.
26/1
2026
Kyrgyzstan: Training on RuralInvest toolkit
Osh (Kyrgyzstan), 26/01/2026
The national training targets heads of cooperatives and specialists from a pilot Farmer Service Center in Osh city operating under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Farmer Service Center provides advisory services to farmers and facilitates access to preferential loans, enabling farmers to consolidate production and organize into co...
9/12
2025
11/12
2025
Regional dialogue on accelerating progress towards sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems
Virtual Event, 09/12/2025 - 11/12/2025
Countries of Europe and Central Asia continue to advance agrifood systems transformation, recognizing their pivotal role in achieving sustainable development, food security and improved nutrition, and in addressing challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. Governments and stakeholders are pursuing integrated, multisectoral approaches that strengthen resilience, inclusiveness, ...
21/11
2025
Veterinary Student Forum on Antimicrobial Resistance: Securing a Future Without AMR
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 21/11/2025
On November 21st, FAO in collaboration with the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University named after K. I. Skryabin, will hold a veterinary student forum to mark World Antimic...
15/12
2025
19/12
2025
Working Group on Stock Assessment of Demersal Species Session II - Invertebrates
Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Italy), 15/12/2025 - 19/12/2025
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established in 1949 by FAO. It plays a critical role in fisheries governance, and has the authority to make binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development.The main objective of the annual meetings – including plenary, benchmark and ad-h...
8/12
2025
13/12
2025
Working Group on Stock Assessment of Small Pelagic Species
Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Italy), 08/12/2025 - 13/12/2025
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established in 1949 by FAO. It plays a critical role in fisheries governance, and has the authority to make binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development. The main objective of the annual meetings – including plenary, benchmark and ad-...
8/12
2025
12/12
2025
Working Group on Stock Assessment of Demersal Species Session I - Vertebrates
Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Italy), 08/12/2025 - 12/12/2025
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established in 1949 by FAO. It plays a critical role in fisheries governance, and has the authority to make binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development. The main objective of the annual meetings – including plenary, benchmark and ad-...
3/11
2025
9/11
2025
48th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM)
Málaga (Spain), 03/11/2025 - 09/11/2025
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) is a regional fisheries management organization established in 1949 by FAO. It plays a critical role in fisheries governance, and has the authority to make binding recommendations for fisheries conservation and management and for aquaculture development.
11/11
2025
12/11
2025
National antimicrobial resistance (AMR) working group meeting
Chüy Region (Kyrgyzstan), 11/11/2025 - 12/11/2025
An off-site meeting of the interdepartmental working group is planned with the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, as well as FAO experts and other relevant actors.
13/11
2025
14/11
2025
Training on artificial insemination for farmers in Karakol city
Karakol (Kyrgyzstan), 13/11/2025 - 14/11/2025
The main goal of the training is to enhance the capacity of artificial insemination technicians to improve livestock production in Kyrgyzstan.
10/11
2025
11/11
2025
Training on artificial insemination for farmers in Naryn city
Naryn (Kyrgyzstan), 10/11/2025 - 11/11/2025
The main goal of the training is to enhance the capacity of artificial insemination technicians to improve livestock production in Kyrgyzstan.
22/11
2025
23/11
2025
Workshop: Creating and maintaining digital veterinary records in Karakol city
Karakol (Kyrgyzstan), 22/11/2025 - 23/11/2025
The workshop aims to strengthen the skills of Kyrgyz state and private veterinarians in creating and maintaining digital veterinary records. It emphasizes how electronic systems enhance transparency, efficiency, and reliability of veterinary control.
15/11
2025
16/11
2025
Workshop: Creating and maintaining digital veterinary records in Bishkek city
Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan), 15/11/2025 - 16/11/2025
The workshop aims to strengthen the skills of Kyrgyz state and private veterinarians in creating and maintaining digital veterinary records. It emphasizes how electronic systems enhance transparency, efficiency, and reliability of veterinary control.
8/11
2025
9/11
2025
Workshop: Creating and maintaining digital veterinary records in Naryn city
Naryn (Kyrgyzstan), 08/11/2025 - 09/11/2025
The workshop aims to strengthen the skills of Kyrgyz state and private veterinarians in creating and maintaining digital veterinary records. It emphasizes how electronic systems enhance transparency, efficiency, and reliability of veterinary control.
22/9
2025
23/9
2025
Interregional Dialogue on Family Farming for Europe and Central Asia
Metropolitan City of Rome Capital (Italy), 22/09/2025 - 23/09/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing the Interregional Dialogue on Family Farming for Europe and Central Asia under the United Nations Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 (UNDFF) from 22 to 23 September 2025, at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. The two-day event will take place together with the
26/9
2025
Launch of the Land Tenure Journal – special issue on land consolidation
Virtual Event, 26/09/2025
FAO invites you to the virtual launch of the newly published Land Tenure Journal – Special issue on land consolidation that will take place on 26 September. This special issue, recently published by FAO, features 12 articles about land consolidation.
Publications
- Improving social protection for rural populations in Europe and Central Asia
- What gender mainstreaming means in practice - Cases from selected countries of the European Union
- FAO Regional gender strategy for Europe and Central Asia, 2019-2022
- Smallholders and family farms in Europe and Central Asia series
- Impact report - Syrian refugee and Turkish host communities
- Fact sheet of the Initiative
Links
- UN Decade of Family Farming
- Family Farming Knowledge Platform
- Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe
- International Year of the Woman Farmer
Contact
Morten Hartvigsen
Land Tenure Officer
H-1054 Budapest
Hungary
Tel: +36 1 4612 250
Sustainable Development Goals
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