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The entity was a beneficiary of this project in previous calls for proposals. In this year of execution, it has been possible to make progress in the results that were already advanced in previous calls for proposals.

The project aims to improve the relationship with biodiversity of food processing companies and retailers along their supply chain. To this end, this initiative has set the following objectives:

• Increase the quality of biodiversity measures implemented on certified farms through the application of a Biodiversity Indicator Assessment Tool and institutional strengthening or training of personnel related to standards and certifications.
• Test biodiversity criteria and measures in projects with public and private agri-food certifications or seals.
• Carry out communication, monitoring and coordination actions integrated in the LIFE program.

• Dissemination of documents generated in the project and individual advice to companies and seals.
• Development of a tool for the evaluation of biodiversity indicators (BPT).
• Training for certifying technicians, product technicians and farmers.
• Implementation of pilot projects to increase biodiversity in fruit and vegetable crops and in permanent or woody crops.
• Dissemination of the project through different communication actions (events, workshops, web dissemination and social networks).

• To increase knowledge on the performance of biodiversity in the agri-food sector, a series of publications have been produced, among them a baseline reporta recommendations report, biodiversity fact sheetsinfographics, a easy guide on biodiversity criteria in standards and seals in the agri-food sector, etc. These resources were shared with various stakeholders for wider dissemination of the results. In addition, based on the recommendations report, the entity offered individual advice to companies and seals on biodiversity conservation in the agri-food environment.

• In terms of training, Fundación Global Nature has finally carried out two trainings; one in Valencia with members of Aliats per la Biodiversitat and another in Extremadura, with students and teachers from the Centro de Formación del Medio Rural de Navalmoral. Although this action was mainly aimed at technical personnel and certifiers, the great interest of farmers and farm technical advisors has led to the creation of a single training module, which includes all the information generated. The material is available for free download.

• The project has also created the Biodiversity Performance Tool (BPT) which analyzes biodiversity-related criteria on certified farms and assists with recommendations to technical staff working on these farms to assess the quality of implementation of measures aimed at potential biodiversity improvement and to support monitoring. A user’s manual has been developed together with the tool and is available in Spanish.

• During the execution of the project, 5 pilot experiences were developed to increase biodiversity in crops. Two of them were in fruit and vegetable crops; one of 550 hectares of industrial tomato in Badajoz (Extremadura) and another of melon crops in Elche (Alicante) where work was carried out on around 50 hectares. In the case of Extremadura, the industrial tomato pilot farm benefited from planting cover crops at a density of 15 kilograms per hectare of brown mustard seeds (Brassica juncea variety scala). Planting this cover crop has a nematicidal effect, which is an additional benefit for tomato production. This cover was incorporated into the soil between March and April to enrich it.

• As for the melon crops of Carrizales in Alicante, among other measures, the Global Nature Foundation advised and financed a floral cover for the improvement of these areas and to encourage the reception of pollinators. More specifically, about 6.5 kilograms of a mixture specially designed for this pilot, which includes 10 floral species, was implanted.

• The remaining three pilot experiences were focused on permanent or woody crops. Three olive farms were selected: Al Alma del Olivo in Toledo, Viver in Castellón and La Peraleña in Madrid. The recommendations offered to the sector, the proposed evaluation mechanisms and the concrete measures to improve biodiversity were tested on these pilot farms. An example of the implementation of some of these measures was the pilot test in the olive grove of Viver in which traps were used for the biological control of the olive fruit fly. Through this method, the organization was able to promote and encourage nearby farms to reduce the use of pesticides.

• Finally, and in order to transfer information about the project, the entity has attended and/or organized 27 events related to this topic and has carried out different actions and advances about the initiative through its website and social networks.