Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Andalusia (Seville, Huelva and Granada), Castilla-La Mancha (Albacete and Toledo) and Extremadura (Cáceres)

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2026

End date:

2028

Duration:

18/02/2026 - 31/08/2028

Total budget:

1.426.152 €

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

€1,212,229.20

Transform traditional, unprofitable, ageing and attractive extensive livestock farming into an activity that generates environmental, economic and social value, aligned with the conservation of biodiversity, animal welfare and territorial balance. To this end, SOS-GE kit will deploy a set of accessible solutions (digital technologies and NBS) that facilitate this operational change, and will articulate a network of leading farmers who will collectively drive the new paradigm. This innovative approach, inspired by FAO’s “dynamic conservation”, puts the focus on people, not just on the territory. Its implementation will improve the environmental conditions of large grazing areas in protected natural areas in Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura. Likewise, continuous training will be provided and indicators will be monitored to ensure their replicability.

The specific objective of the project is to promote the transition towards a more sustainable, resilient and profitable extensive livestock farming through the implementation of accessible solutions (technological, NBS) in 11 reference farms located in protected natural areas of Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura. These solutions will be transferred through innovative training, communication and competitive imitation strategies, with a particular focus on young people and women. The project seeks to improve the environmental, economic and social sustainability of extensive livestock farms, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity, adaptation to climate change and the development of the rural bioeconomy. In addition, it activates a sectoral process of participatory transformation, adapted to the profile of the sector, based on peer-to-peer learning, from farmer to farmer, the use of influencers and the creation of collaborative networks that guarantee replicability and lasting impact.

• Study of the state of the art of accessible solutions for improving the sustainability of extensive livestock farming. Study of technologies, practices and NBS, with potential in sustainability, resilience and cost-benefit. The University of Seville will coordinate this study to guarantee its scientific-technical rigour.
• Creation of a network of young influencer farmers and digital support infrastructure. An open and transparent call will be launched to “recruit” them (≤ 40 years, gender parity) and digital communities in the sector to lead the change. An interactive portal and social media will be developed to coordinate activities, share content and disseminate results.
• Participatory evaluation through focus groups and preparation of the guide of solutions for improving the sustainability of extensive livestock farms. Territorial working groups will be set up to evaluate the previously identified solutions according to their real impact and the resources needed for their implementation. The result will be an interactive guide to solutions – the “GE Survival Kit” – hosted on the digital portal as a basis for subsequent actions.
• Implementation of the solutions in 6 pilot farms in protected natural areas of Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura, adapting protocols and collecting data on environmental and operational improvement.
• Implementation of the solutions in 5 farms of 5 influencers in the sector (living-labs), configuring living-labs that serve as an example and generate information for replicability.
• Training program and practical training for the transfer of the SOS-GE Kit. Design and publication on the portal of training pills and tutorials based on the guide, supported by the experience of the living-labs, to train any interested farmer.
• Transfer of the transformation process of living-labs through influencers and creation of support networks that facilitate the paradigm shift of extensive livestock farming. The influencers will document and disseminate their processes in sectoral channels and events, consolidating collaborative networks that promote the new paradigm of the sector.
• Evaluation, communication and transfer of results. Cross-cutting action to the entire project that aims at evaluation throughout the implementation, as well as the dissemination of results.
• Continuity and scalability model of the SOS-GE Kit project. In the last phase of the project, a sustainability model will be developed to ensure the continuity of the actions and allow the results to be scaled up at the national level.
• Coordination and monitoring system with a gender and generational perspective. Cross-cutting coordination and monitoring action that guarantees technical coherence in the implementation of actions, as well as that the project incorporates the gender perspective.

• Guide to 16 accessible solutions for improving the sustainability of extensive livestock farming with wide replication.
• Direct impact on the sustainability of 11 experimental farms (10,750 ha) of protected natural areas by implementing accessible solutions.
• Direct impact on green infrastructures, 289 species and habitats of ecological value, promotion of pasture use and fire prevention and adaptation to climate change.
• Training programme for the implementation of accessible solutions: 16 online audiovisual pills for 200 farmers and pilot visits to farms.
• Transfer strategy by competitive imitation, from farmer to farmer, through influencers: 7,000 followers and 2,000 operators implement the accessible solutions.
• A new story of inclusive extensive livestock farming and the creation of at least 17 direct jobs.
• SOS-GE Kit continuity model (impact, business model and collaborating entities).
• Contribution to the bioeconomy and strengthening of multifunctional green infrastructures.

The improvement of 107.74 km² of farms located in ENP is expected, the creation of at least 6 green jobs linked to technical management, environmental monitoring, and the generation of strategic products such as digital platforms, informative materials and management protocols that can be replicated in other territories, with a reach on social networks of 2,100 farmers.