On 16 April 2026, EDIA and BIOPOLIS hosted the inception workshop for the Portual case study in Beja to discuss the future of agricultural landscape features (LF) in the region.

The workshop brought together 30 participants, including local farmers, representatives from public bodies, and members of the academic community. It served as a vital platform to present the LAFERIA project, discuss the policy context surrounding LF, and delve into the specific Portuguese case study in the Alqueva region. Future activities planned for the coming years were also shared with the attendees.

Using a highly collaborative approach, the event encouraged active knowledge-sharing. Participants discussed the existing LF in the region, their economic and ecological importance, and the main knowledge gaps that currently slow down their implementation.

This joint effort allowed the participants to create participatory maps that pinpoint regional LF. Attendees also debated the primary barriers to putting these features in place, pointing out management costs and a lack of technical and scientific data as key issues. A practical voting session helped rank the most significant LF and knowledge gaps for each sector.

This local focus directly supports the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, which aims for a 10% increase in LF across EU agricultural land to boost biodiversity and ecosystem services. Moving forward, the Portuguese case study will serve as a learning platform to develop new policies and business models that benefit local stakeholders, society, and the environment.