As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering resilient and sustainable agricultural systems, Highclere Consulting (HCC) organized and facilitated the inaugural community-building webinar for the EUFAWREADY project. Titled “Maize matters: Europe gets FAW-ready,” the event marked a critical milestone in building a proactive defense against the Fall Armyworm (FAW) threat in Europe.

On January 29, 2026, the EUFAWREADY project officially launched its stakeholder community. The webinar brought together a diverse group of 84 active participants, including researchers, phytosanitary experts, biocontrol industry leaders, and farmers. At HCC, we believe that bridging the gap between scientific expertise and on-the-ground practice is essential for effective pest management, and this event served as a vital platform for that exchange.

A strategic framework: LEARN – DETECT – MANAGE

The webinar was structured around the project’s three operational pillars, which form the backbone of the European strategy to anticipate and mitigate the risks posed by the Fall Armyworm:

  1. LEARN: Establishing a deep understanding of the pest’s global behavior and the specific risks it poses to European maize production.

  2. DETECT: Developing and implementing harmonized protocols for early detection and monitoring across borders.

  3. MANAGE: Equipping farmers and advisors with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Toolbox and evidence-based guidelines.

HCC’s role: Facilitating knowledge transfer

In line with our role as an information broker, HCC’s facilitation of the webinar focused on more than just delivering information. We coordinated dedicated sessions to gather initial stakeholder feedback on the development of IPM tools. By capturing the needs of plant breeding companies, knowledge brokers, and farmers early in the process, we ensure that the project’s outputs remain practical, visual, and highly relevant to those who will use them.

The high level of engagement from the scientific community confirms a strong interest in coordinated European preparedness. However, the discussions also highlighted a clear path forward: as the project progresses, our focus will shift toward creating more visual knowledge products and targeted engagement strategies specifically for advisors and farmers.

Building a collaborative network

The success of this webinar is only the beginning. The goal of EUFAWREADY is to build a collaborative European network prepared to anticipate and manage FAW risks collectively. By facilitating these conversations, HCC continues to support the transition toward more sustainable and secure food systems in Europe.

Watch the highlights

For those who were unable to attend or wish to revisit specific technical sessions, the full recordings and presentations are now available on the project website. Topics include:

  • Global and European perspectives on FAW management.

  • Deep dives into the Learn, Detect, and Manage pillars.

  • The roadmap for the EUFAWREADY Stakeholder Community.

All webinar recordings for each session are available here: 

  1. Global perspectives on FAW management
  2. FAW status in Europe (and surrounding regions)
  3. EUFAWREADY in focus: Objectives, Pillars and Pathways to Preparedness
  4. EUFAWREADY in focus: Pillar 1 – LEARN
  5. EUFAWREADY in focus: Pillar 2 – DETECT
  6. EUFAWREADY in focus: Pillar 3 – MANAGE
  7. Community-building actions: the EUFAWREADY stakeholder community
  8. Preparing for the FAW: Guidelines and Toolbox
  9. Conclusions

Are you interested in joining the EUFAWREADY stakeholder community? HCC continues to lead the engagement efforts for this project. Stay tuned to our website and social media channels for future updates and upcoming events.