Flanders and FAO join forces to support farmers and rural communities in war-affected Mykolaivska oblast
01/04/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Flanders have launched a new initiative to support rural communities...
A wave of rural innovation: FAO recognizes ten Digital Villages in Europe and Central Asia
19/03/2026
Rural communities have always found ways to adapt. Through a changing climate, shifting markets and demographic transitions, generations of farmers...
The woman who grows Tajikistan
04/03/2026
Sonya Kirgizova is well known in the mountain villages of Tojikobod in central-eastern Tajikistan. Her neighbours admire her greenhouse, her jars filled...
Seeds of heritage: safeguarding living agricultural treasures in Europe and Central Asia
27/02/2026
The booklet
Albania launches FAO-backed dialogue platform for sustainable agrifood systems
25/02/2026
Albania has launched the Agrifood Systems Dialogue Platform to guide policy reform and investment in the country’s agrifood sector through evidence-based...
FAO releases updated gender profile to guide inclusive agricultural and rural development in Uzbekistan
12/02/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with national partners, has launched the second edition of the ...
The science of grapes
11/02/2026
Despite growing up in Kakheti, a well-known wine region and the agricultural heart of Georgia, Sophio Khutitdze saw herself as a doctor. She was always...
Technology and guaranteed markets make pulse farming attractive for Kyrgyz farmers
10/02/2026
Today is World Pulses Day, a day to celebrate the humble crops – beans, chickpeas, peas, lentils, and more– that pack a punch, contributing to better...
FAO offers online training course on land consolidation and land banking
05/02/2026
Better understanding and applying two key land policy instruments has become easier through a free
Rebija Bliznović: Women farmers in Bosnia and Herzegovina thrive with FAO support
29/01/2026
In Tršće, a small village near Kakanj in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rebija Bliznović has built her life around the farm that carries her name. For three...
Germany supports resilience and recovery efforts in Ukraine
21/01/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Germany, through the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and...
From desks to hives
19/01/2026
Nurcan Tekneci had a successful corporate career and used to live a hectic city life. After the pandemic, she decided to move to the countryside and...
Empowering rural women in Bosnia and Herzegovina: breaking barriers and shaping the future
19/01/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recognizes the challenges rural women face and works to break down the structural...
FAO and Norway launch a USD 4 million project to support rural communities in frontline areas of Ukraine
13/01/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Norway have launched a new project to support rural communities...
In Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, smallholders are farming more sustainably
12/01/2026
A multi-country initiative supporting smallholder farmers in adopting sustainable, productive and climate resilient practices has successfully concluded....
Rural women in Georgia: Insights from the Country Gender Assessment
09/01/2026
Sopo, a 31-year-old from Tsalka, is taking her first steps towards building a small cheese business with her mother.
“I’m planning to start a small...
Ukraine’s agriculture: FAO sets out a three-year emergency and early recovery plan
06/01/2026
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has published its
FAO and Uzbekistan partner for more resilience, growth and equity in rural areas by 2030
22/12/2025
By signing a new agreement, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Uzbekistan have pledged to provide more targeted and...
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
12/8
2025
Celebrating International Youth Day in 2025
12/08/2025
To mark this year’s International Youth Day, celebrated annually on 12 August, youth leaders from across Europe and Central Asia will come together for an engaging regional webinar titled “Stronger Together – Sharing Good Practices Across European Youth Chapters”.
17/7
2025
National training workshop on aquaculture systems design and operation
Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), 17/07/2025
Commercial aquaculture in Turkmenistan dates backs to the early 1970s when pond fish culture was introduced to the country, however, production figures indicate that production decreased significantly after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The reestablishment of freshwater aquaculture, especially smallholder farming models, has the potential to diversify farmer livelihoods, contribu...
16/7
2025
National training workshop on aquatic animal health management
Ashgabat (Turkmenistan), 16/07/2025
Aquaculture is a diverse production sector that encompasses a wide range of culture species, environments, production systems and practices. The complex and diverse nature of the sector leads to a broad range of hazards and related risks that have the potential to impact production, food security, profitability, livelihoods and biodiversity. In this respect, disease represents one of the most s...
11/6
2025
13/6
2025
Second Regional Rural Youth Forum for Europe and Central Asia
Budapest (Hungary), Hybrid Event, 11/06/2025 - 13/06/2025
Young women and men can play a catalytic role in supporting economic growth and development in rural areas. However, there are still gaps in understanding the specific economic, social, and cultural issues that affect their aspirations, livelihoods, well-being, and integration into local economies. Given this, effective policies and interventions are needed to support rural youth’s livelihoods,...
14/1
2025
18/1
2025
Training on RuralInvest toolkit (Kyrgyzstan)
(Kyrgyzstan), 14/01/2025 - 18/01/2025
Training for cooperatives from Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions to learn how to develop business plans using the RuralInvest toolkit. The RuralInvest toolkit offers users an interactive, hands-on path, going from theory to practice, to work together with the entrepreneurs and create feasible, appropriate, and sustainable business plans. Thus, beneficiaries in Kyrgyzstan will be equipped with knowled...
17/12
2024
19/12
2024
Speed dating consultations
Batken (Kyrgyzstan), 17/12/2024 - 19/12/2024
Within the framework of the project “Capacitated women civil society organizations sustaining peace in Kyrgyzstan”, so-called "Speed dating" sessions will be held in two rural areas of Batken district with the participation of national experts and local self-government bodies, local council deputies and residents.
19/9
2024
Workshop: Resolving private-public co-ownership to improve agricultural land management and land tenure in the Pelagonija Region
Bitola (North Macedonia), 19/09/2024
On 19 September 2024, FAO, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Economy of North Macedonia, will launch the project “Support for Resolving Private-Public Co-ownership to Improve Agricultural Land Management and Land Tenure in the Pelagonija Region”, under the FAO Technical Cooperation Programme. The workshop, taking place in the Council Hall of the Municipality o...
5/6
2024
7/6
2024
15th International LANDNET Workshop
Middelburg (Netherlands), 05/06/2024 - 07/06/2024
The 15th LANDNET workshop will take place from 5 to 7 June 2024 in Middelburg, Netherlands. The workshop is organized by FAO together with Kadaster and the Province of Zeeland in the Netherlands.
13/12
2023
Regional consultation on integrated land use planning
Virtual Event, 13/12/2023
FAO published the first 'Guidelines for land-use planning' in 1993 as the first key source of knowledge on land use planning. After 30 years, new challenges, demands and insights for integrated land use planning call for an update of these guidelines. In this context, FAO has been working on the new version of 'Guidelines for integrated land use planning - an update' in collaboration with key p...
29/11
2023
30/11
2023
Regional Rural Youth Forum for Europe and Central Asia
Budapest (Hungary), Hybrid Event, 29/11/2023 - 30/11/2023
To better coordinate the youth-related work and processes in the ECA region, under the Regional Priority Programme on Empowering smallholders, family farms and youth, facilitating rural livelihoods and poverty reduction, FAO organizes the Regional Rural Youth Forum for Europe and Central Asia.
5/9
2023
Youth consultation: Take action and scale up initiatives to reduce food loss and waste
Virtual Event, 05/09/2023
Join us for the conversation on shaping food waste policy in Europe and Central Asia. Food waste has wide-ranging consequences, impacting resources, the environment, and social equity. At the World Food Forum, we are dedicated to reducing food waste globally. In response to its importance, our Europe and Central Asia team conducted a comprehensive analysis of food waste policy in the region, id...
5/9
2023
7/9
2023
14th International LANDNET Workshop
İstanbul (Türkiye), 05/09/2023 - 07/09/2023
The 14th international LANDNET workshop will take place from 5 to 7 September 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye, organized by FAO in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Türkiye.
22/6
2022
24/6
2022
2nd Regional Workshop on integrated community development
Budapest (Hungary), Hybrid Event, 22/06/2022 - 24/06/2022
Based on country experiences, FAO aims at further developing the concept of integrated community development for Europe and Central Asia. FAO established an informal regional technical network on community development in 2019. The 2022 workshop should help revitalize the technical network and strengthen partnerships with key regional and national actors.
18/5
2023
Digital Villages in Action in Europe and Central Asia
Virtual Event, 18/05/2023
Join us for the “Digital Villages in Action in Europe and Central Asia” virtual event, where we will launch DVI actions in eight countries, bringing together policy actors, stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries. The event will be held on Zoom on 18 May 2023, from 09.30 to 12.00 (CEST) with English-Russian interpretation.
26/4
2023
Promoting youth engagement in agriculture and food systems in Europe and Central Asia
Virtual Event, 26/04/2023
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) is organizing a series of regional youth consultations on promoting youth engagement in agriculture and food systems in Europe and Central Asia.
Participants will discuss how to enlarge youth engagement in agricultural value chains in the region. The event will consider the benefits and gains that youth can bri...
23/1
2023
25/1
2023
Training on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas
İstanbul (Türkiye), 23/01/2023 - 25/01/2023
Small-scale family farmers can be instrumental in elevating human rights in the food and agriculture sector – a key element in ensuring the sustainability of food security.
27/4
2022
28/4
2022
Subregional workshop on land market development in Central Asia
Hybrid Event, 27/04/2022 - 28/04/2022
The workshop will gather representatives of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as experts from the government, academia, civil society, and the private sector to share experience in land market management
6/6
2023
8/6
2023
Third Regional workshop on integrated community development
Budapest (Hungary), 06/06/2023 - 08/06/2023
Based on country experiences, FAO aims at further developing the concept of integrated community development for Europe and Central Asia. FAO established an informal regional technical network on community development in 2019.
24/6
2022
Regional Dialogue on the United Nations Decade of Family Farming
Hybrid Event, 24/06/2022
9:00 – 13:00 CEST In the framework of the 2nd Regional Workshop on integrated community development, FAO is organizing a regional dialogue on the United Nations Decade of Family Farming in Europe and Central Asia in a hybrid modality. The aim of the eve
14/9
2022
Leveraging the potential of multi-purpose land consolidation in Eastern Europe
Hybrid Event, 14/09/2022
FAO and the International Federation of Surveyors (FIG) are organizing a joint sessions during the 2022 FIG Congress with a special focus on the potential for multi-purpose land consolidation in countries of Eastern Europe. The objective of the session
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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