From aid to growth: strategic shift secures long-term future for Moldovan agriculture
14/11/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a project to strengthen competitiveness and climate resilience among...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=e753c7a1_2 "Turkmen experts visit Lithuania to learn about digitalization in the land administration and management sectors")
Turkmen experts visit Lithuania to learn about digitalization in the land administration and management sectors
12/11/2025
A delegation of government officials from Turkmenistan’s Ministry of Agriculture visited Lithuania from 27 to 30 October to learn from the country’s...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=2d9fabe4_2 "The Amalfi Lemon and its layered resilient landscape")
The Amalfi Lemon and its layered resilient landscape
30/10/2025
The Amalfi lemon grows in a landscape as distinctive as its flavour. For nearly a thousand years, farmers have worked in harmony with nature to carve...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=45a9b70d_2 "Tajik woman farmer")
New FAO gender profile highlights challenges and opportunities for rural women in Tajikistan
27/10/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released the National gender profile of agriculture and rural livelihoods: Republic...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=cb75372f_2 "Women farmers grow a resilient future in Kosovo")
Women farmers grow a resilient future in Kosovo
20/10/2025
This year’s World Food Day theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future”, calls for global cooperation to ensure a peaceful, sustainable,...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=73747b04_2 "Kyrgyz documentary on female farmer wins Agrofilm award")
Kyrgyz documentary on woman farmer wins Agrofilm award
10/10/2025
The farmer starts a fire, takes out the horse and attempts to fix the tractor. So far, this looks like an average morning routine in the far-flung...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=754b825d_2 "FAO strengthens land governance in Uzbekistan")
FAO strengthens land governance in Uzbekistan
09/10/2025
Historically, land management in Uzbekistan largely has been directed by the state. In recent years, however, the government has taken important...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=b163001_2 "Buzz-worthy opportunities")
Buzz-worthy opportunities
06/10/2025
In Düzce, Türkiye, 32 percent of youth are unemployed. Many opt to move to the city in search of work. Beekeeping offers young people an alternative...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=aaae5ce4_2 "FAO recognizes the young farmers shaping the region’s agricultural landscape")
FAO recognizes the young farmers shaping the region’s agricultural landscape
03/10/2025
Across Europe and Central Asia, a new generation of farmers are using their innovation and vision to reshape agriculture. Armed with bold ideas, boundless...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=88e127e7_2 "European Commission on Agriculture session to discuss producing more with less")
European Commission on Agriculture session to discuss producing more with less
02/10/2025
Today, the European...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=db399daf_2 "FAO fosters interregional exchange to support family farming")
FAO fosters interregional exchange to support family farming
26/09/2025
Representatives of governments, farmers’ organizations, civil society and academia from the two regions gathered on 22 and 23 September in Rome for...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=a6b85501_2 "Passing the baton of knowledge and opportunity")
Passing the baton of knowledge and opportunity
25/09/2025
A group of tourists arrive at the Pešić household, looking around curiously and asking about lunch options near Tomaševo, a small village of about 300...
.tmb-th600x400.png?Culture=en&sfvrsn=b7cf5ba8_2 "Spreading agricultural knowledge and creativity across Georgian farms")
Spreading agricultural knowledge and creativity across Georgian farms
23/09/2025
After three years as a news correspondent, Nino Tadiashvili decided to transition to agricultural production – a long-standing family tradition in the...
FAO and Montenegro strengthen capacities for LEADER approach implementation
22/09/2025
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of...
Breaking barriers and cultivating change
02/09/2025
In the heart of Tajikistan, a woman has defied the odds, shattered social norms and transformed the agricultural landscape of communities. Her story...
Empowering greenhouse farmers in Albania: FAO launches Farmer Field Schools
20/08/2025
A ten-day Farmer Field Schools session starts today in Albania, equipping smallholders with practical and state-of-the-art knowledge on greenhouse production....
Hand in hand for a better future: FAO celebrates youth in Armenia with innovation, dialogue and creativity
15/08/2025
In celebration of International Youth Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Armenia joined hands with the Ministry...
Armenia and Georgia enhance collaboration on grapevine nurseries and digital vineyard data systems
04/08/2025
With thousands of years of winemaking heritage deeply rooted in their soil, Armenia and Georgia stand among the world’s oldest wine-producing countries....
Bridging the gender divide in rural Belarus to unlock agrifood potential
30/07/2025
Rural women in Belarus play essential roles across agrifood systems, from farming and food production to entrepreneurship and market sales. However,...
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
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.
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.
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
Contact
Morten Hartvigsen
Land Tenure Officer
H-1054 Budapest
Hungary
Tel: +36 1 4612 250
Sustainable Development Goals
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