PFN Hessen at the Annual Network Meeting and the IF-ALL Conference in Bordeaux
13-17.10.2025 | EVENT
From October 13 to 17, 2025, the PFN-Hessen was represented in Bordeaux, France, at two key events on agroecological research: the Annual Network Meeting of the European Network of Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures and the 2nd International Forum on Agroecosystem Living Labs (IF-ALL).
Exchange and cooperation in the European network
The second Annual Network Meeting brought together representatives from research, politics and practice from all over Europe. In addition to the 17 existing members, 38 new Living Labs and Research Infrastructures took part for the first time this year. The focus was on getting to know each other, exchanging ideas and jointly developing the network structures.
Among other things, they discussed how cooperation and communication within the network can be strengthened in order to advance the agroecological transformation in Europe and cultivate agroecological principles such as participation, networking and solidarity within the network.
As a member from the very beginning, PFN Hessen contributed its many years of experience in participatory, practice-oriented research in Germany and took part in the discussions on the further development of the network’s activities.
Esther Mieves from PFN Hessen emphasized in discussions on the orientation of the network:
“Especially in such a dynamically growing network, it is crucial to clearly state our shared values, as this is the only way we can bring about real change and consistently avoid greenwashing.”
IF-ALL: Global perspectives on living labs
The network meeting was followed by the 2nd International Forum on Agroecosystem Living Labs (IF-ALL). Here, Natalia Riemer presented the work of the PFN Hessen in the form of a poster contribution in which she introduced the unique genesis of practice-oriented research in organic agriculture in Hessen to an international audience.
The conference brought together stakeholders from research, policy and practice to share insights, challenges and success stories from living labs worldwide and to shape new pathways for participatory agroecological innovation.
The conference highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation, knowledge exchange and collective learning as essential prerequisites for the sustainable orientation of agriculture and food systems. Natalia Riemer from PFN Hessen emphasized this:
“With the Living Lab approach, we are on a promising path that we should continue to develop together in terms of content. The organic farming movement in Germany already has valuable experience and structures that are highly relevant to the agroecology movement.”
The PFN Hessen in a European context
As a member of the European Network of Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures, the PFN Hessen contributes its many years of experience in co-creative, participatory research in organic agriculture to European cooperation.
The network offers a valuable platform for sharing knowledge, learning from each other and actively shaping the agroecological transformation together with partners from all over Europe.
Background information on the European Network for Agroecology Living Labs and Research Infrastructures can be found here: Agroecology Partnership
