Access to Land Network (A2LN)

Identity card

Preserving land for local, agroecological farming is a growing issue in many parts of Europe. The amount of agricultural land is declining, as a result of urban and infrastructure development. Competition for land use is also growing, between farmers food production and other uses (timber, biofuels, fibres).

As a result, farmland is ever more concentrated on large, intensive farms while small farms are disappearing. This is despite the fact that small farms are the cornerstone of European food security and key to maintaining a living countryside. They also , remain best placed to provide quality local food and preserve the environment. At the same time, the retirement of an ageing population of farmers, and increasing difficulties finding new entrants to replace them, may result in further abandonment of rural areas.

The Access to land network brings together grassroots organisations from across Europe to share experiences and promote the significance of access to land for agroecological transition and generational renewal. Established in 2012, it functions as an informal network of about 15 organisations.

Our members are field-based organisations, active at regional or national level to promote and secure access to land for agro-ecological farmers.

Belgium : De Landgenoten, Terre-en-vue

France : Terre de liens

Germany : BioBoden Genossenschaft, Kulturland eG, Regionalwert AG

Italy : Associazione Italiana per l’Agricoltura Biologica del Lazio, Campi aperti

Lituania : Viva Sol

Romania : Eco Ruralis

Spain : Rurbans, Terra franca, Xarxa de Custòdia del Territori

UK : Biodynamic Land Trust,Real Farming Trust, the Soil Association

Objectives

• Share experiences, ideas and practical tools to support farmers in accessing land and engaging in good land stewardship

• Connect exisiting grassroots initiatives and support the emergence of new ones

• Raise awareness of land issues, land as commons and grassroots initiatives among citizens, consumers, farmers’ organisations, civil society organisations and policy-makers

• Network with and support other civil society organisations and social movements working on these issues

Related programmes

• Land governance and the fight against land-grabbing in Europe and across the world