TWG on Agroecology and Sustainable Yields

Following the establishment of the AE TWG, a draft framework for the Agroecology Thematic SRIA was developed in the first half of 2020, alongside the creation of national mirror groups across six thematic areas. National consultations through these mirror groups provided the foundation for the SRIA, with the first draft reviewed by AE TWG members in February 2021 and a revised version submitted to the BIOEAST Board in June 2021. After further revision, a third draft was compiled in September 2022, validated through three regional stakeholder workshops, and finalised in December 2022. The final BIOEAST SRIA, including the thematic SRIA, was presented at the BIOEASTsUP Final Conference in March 2023.

Thematic study

In 2021, a thematic study – Socio-economic indicators of agroecology-systems in the BIOEAST countries - assessed the state of agroecology across 11 BIOEAST countries, identifying key barriers, drivers, and conditions for scaling up agroecological practices. It evaluated existing international agroecology indicators, complemented by stakeholder interviews and participatory workshops, to determine their relevance in the BIOEAST region. The study recommends combining existing indicator frameworks with region-specific supplementary indicators, rather than creating a new tool, to better support agroecological transition at farm, food system, and policy levels.

4 Science-policy dialogues

• On 15 June 2021, the AE TWG held an online conference for the BIOEAST countries to present in detail the new EU Organic Action Plan, published in March 2021, and to encourage member states to inspire one another by sharing their own best practices, thus supporting the development of organic action plans at a national level.
• On 9 October 2024, an online science-policy dialogue was organised titled “Implementation of agroecology-relevant measures in national Common Agricultural Policies (CAPs) across the BIOEAST region”. The discussion focused on showcasing inspiring examples on the integration and promotion of agroecology in national Common Agricultural Policies (CAPs) across the macro-region. The dialogue also reflected on the impact of recent CAP simplification measures on environmental requirements adopted by the European Commission in the BIOEAST countries. The dialogue aimed to reflect on the possible impact of recent CAP simplification measures on environmental requirements adopted by the European Commission in the BIOEAST countries.
• On 9 December 2025, an online science-policy dialogue was organised titled “Macro-regional specificities, challenges and opportunities regarding the development of agroecology living labs”. The session aimed to showcase examples of agroecology-related living labs and lighthouses while exploring the barriers and opportunities for their implementation. It also examined how these approaches can better support policymaking and funding frameworks in the BIOEAST region.
• On 30 June 2026, an online science-policy dialogue was organised titled “Making agroecology practices economically attractive: incentives, barriers, and market-development”. The aim was to identify the key economic, regulatory, and market barriers to adopting organic and agroecological practices in the BIOEAST region, and explore incentives, consumer behaviour, best practices, and policy tools (including the CAP) that can support the transition.

Mapping and analysing agroecology living labs operating in the BIOEAST region 

• In March 2022, a survey was launched by the AE TWG to identify and map agroecology living labs (LLs) and similar open innovation arrangements (OIAs) within the BIOEAST countries.
• The aim was to identify existing agroecology living labs and related initiatives, assess their characteristics and potential within the macro-region, and gather information on their expectations and support needs for engaging in international partnerships, such as the Soil Deal for Europe Mission and the Agroecology Partnership.
• As a result, a BIOEAST-wide interactive map of agroecology LLs and similar initiatives was created to support the organized macro-regional cooperation for international project and proposal development. The map is available on the BIOEAST website.