Highclere Consulting (HCC) is strengthening its position as a thought leader and strategic partner in sustainable agriculture at the European level through its active participation in the launch of the EUFAWREADY project. This month, our colleagues Elena Ion and Alina Alexa proudly represented HCC at the project’s kick-off meeting in Montpellier, marking the start of an ambitious collaboration to protect Europe’s maize crops.

A global threat, a coordinated European solution

EUFAWREADY addresses one of the most pressing phytosanitary challenges today: the rapid spread of the Fall Armyworm (FAW). Accelerated by global warming and international trade flows, this pest represents a major threat to the continent’s food security.

The project’s mission is to equip agricultural actors—from farmers and consultants to the industry and phytosanitary services—with the essential tools for early detection and effective management of outbreaks. The central objective is to minimize economic and environmental impacts while significantly reducing dependence on synthetic pesticides.

HCC role: Facilitator and information broker

In line with our communication strategy, HCC acts as an “information broker,” facilitating the transfer of knowledge between research and practice. HCC leads the Work Package dedicated to Stakeholder Engagement, Awareness, and Readiness.

Our efforts will focus on:

  • Stakeholder mapping: Identifying and understanding all relevant actors to ensure an inclusive approach.

  • Dedicated webinars: Organizing sessions for knowledge exchange on topics such as agricultural policies and climate change.

  • Active participation: Conducting surveys and consultations to ensure that the solutions developed are practical and adapted to real-world needs in the field.

HCC’s commitment to resilient food systems

By participating in EUFAWREADY, HCC continues its mission to support social innovation and the resilience of rural communities. This project joins our portfolio of successful initiatives, such as VISIONARY and FoodSHIFT2030, demonstrating our long-term commitment to the sustainable transformation of European agriculture.

We sincerely thank our partners at INRAE and INRAE Transfer for hosting such an exceptional launch event. We are excited to work alongside the EUFAWREADY consortium to deliver solutions with a real impact on rural sustainability.