Dates: 23, 24 September 2026 | Location: Palazzo Bastogi (Via Camillo Cavour, 18, 50122), Florence (Tuscany), Italy
Join us for the Third International Conference of the LIFE ShepForBio Project, an international gathering that will bring together shepherds, researchers, public institutions, policymakers, and European networks to discuss the future of pastoralism in Europe.
Registrations at this link are now closed, but there is a waiting list.
Held within the framework of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, the conference will explore the contribution of pastoral systems to biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, sustainable land management, and rural development. Special attention will be given to protected natural areas, ecosystem services, generational renewal, innovation, training, and cultural heritage.
The event will welcome approximately 80 participants from across Europe, creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, networking, and the development of new collaborations.
Why Attend?
This conference offers a unique platform to:
- Exchange knowledge between pastoral practitioners and scientific communities.
- Explore innovative approaches to pastoral management in protected natural sites.
- Build transnational collaborations and networks.
- Reflect on current pastoral challenges, from climate change to new technologies.
Working languages: Italian & English (simultaneous interpretation provided)
Conference Programme
1st day: Wednesday, 23 September 2026
09:30 – 10:00: Reception and registration of participants
10:00 – 10:30: Official opening addresses
Tommaso Campedelli (D.R.E.AM. Italia, LIFE ShepForBio Project)
Leonardo Marras (Councillor for Agricultural Policies, Regione Toscana)
Francesca Pasetti Bombardella (Co-Chair, European Regional Support Group, Global Alliance for Rangelands and Pastoralists (GA4RP))
10:30 – 11:00: Coffee break
Pastoralism and Climate Change
11:00 – 11:30: Opening keynote
Pablo Manzano (BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change, Spain)
Projects and initiatives on pastoralism and climate change, followed by discussion
11:30 – 11:45: Antonello Franca (CNR Sassari, RETE APPIA, Italy)
11:45 – 12:00: André Mota (Viseu Dão Lafões Intermunicipal Community & LIFE Landscape Fire, Portugal)
12:00 – 12:30: Q&A
12:30 – 13:30: Lunch break
Pastoralism and Biodiversity
13:30 – 14:10: Opening keynote
Zsolt Molnár & Marianna Biró (HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Hungary)
Projects and initiatives on pastoralism and biodiversity, followed by discussion
14:10 – 14:25: Carina Greiff (Länsstyrelsen Östergötland & LIFE RestoRED, Sweden)
14:25 – 14:40: Ivan Budinski (BIOM Association & Mosaic of LIFE/Dinara back to LIFE, Croatia)
14:40 – 15:00: Q&A
15:00 – 15:30: Coffee break
15:30 – 17:30: Roundtable discussion. How can the post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy and the Nature Restoration Regulation support and promote extensive grazing practices?
Moderated by Guillaume Corradino (Euromontana), with contributions by Bilena Hyseni (Albanian National Forest Agency), Mattia Bertocchi (ERSAF), Enrico Mezzacapo (DIRPOLIS Institute of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies), Federica Luoni (LIPU – BirdLife Italy), Gennaro Giliberti (Giunta Regionale della Regione Toscana Direzione Agricoltura e sviluppo rurale), Jacopo Goracci (Rete Appia), Luca Colombo (FIRAB Italian Foundation for Research in Organic and Biodynamic Agriculture), Sándor Kecskeméti (Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture) and Andrea Hagyo (EU Commission JRC).
17:30 – 17:45: Conclusions of the first day
Thursday, 24 September 2026
08:30 – 09:00: Reception and registration
09:00 – 09:20: Introducing the Global Declaration of Young Pastoralists of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026
Tamara Mitrofanenko (UNEP Vienna Programme Office, Secretariat of the Carpathian Convention)
09:20 – 09:30: A network of European Pastoral Schools : the LIFE ShepForBio project endeavours
Tommaso Campedelli (D.R.E.AM. Italia & LIFE ShepForBio Project)
Beatrice Bellavia (Euromontana & LIFE ShepForBio Project)
09:30 – 10:30: Interactive workshop: proposals for the future of European pastoral schools (Part I)
With contributions by: Marco Fernandes (Escola de Pastores Alvão & LIFE Maronesa, PT), Tommaso Campedelli (Calascio shepherd school), Giulia Pier Martiri and Edoardo Meroni (LIFE ShepForBio School of shepherds), Veronica Cruz, Davinia Gonzalez Guerrero, Francisco Javier Castro Miralles (Escuela de Pastores de Andalucía), Ellen Martine Heuser, Julie Ragnhildsdatter (Hyrdeskolen på Lystbækgaard), Martine Wolff, Hoxha Meshrik, Voka Selman, Hafuz Domi (Adad Malore Albania Mountain development and pastoralists), Lucia Cušnir (Conservation and education expert at Retezat National Park), Project Transhumances.
10:30 – 11:00: Coffee break
11:00 – 12:30: Interactive workshop: proposals for the future of European pastoral schools (Part II)
12:30 – 13:30: Lunch break
13:30 – 16:00: Building effective representation of the pastoral sector’s concerns, promoting a consistent involvement of shepherds in decision-making processes and advocacy activities
Introduced by Pablo Manzano (Pastoraméricas)
Organised and moderated by: Greta Semplici, Alessandro Dessi, Tommaso Campedelli (RETE APPIA), with contributions by: Daniele Salvodelli (Association of Lombardy Shepherds), Fuori Gregge, Rocco Sorino, , Nunzio Marcelli (RETE APPIA), Cristina Mariotti (sheperdess from Lunigiana), Angela Saba, Massimo Biagini, Cristina Boraschi.
16:30 – 17:00: Final conclusions and closing remarks
About LIFE ShepForBio
LIFE ShepForBio is dedicated to improving the conservation status of key grassland habitats recognized by the Habitats Directive. By promoting and supporting pastoral practices, the project aims to establish a network of Pastoral Schools inspired by successful models across Europe. These schools play a crucial role in advancing sustainable pasture and grassland management, enhancing biodiversity, and protecting vital habitats.
Registrations are now open via this link.