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Advocacy and Policy

Resources related to policy work, lobbying efforts, and frameworks for land use and regulation.

A2L at ICARRD+20: Why the Global Land Reform Debate Matters for Europe

In February 2026, the Second International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ICARRD+20) in Cartagena, Colombia, gathered thousands to address the global land crisis. The Access to Land Network (A2L) participated to bring Europe’s perspective into this urgent conversation. While Europe’s role in global land reform debates is often modest, the conference underscored that land justice, climate resilience, and generational renewal are not just Global South issues—they demand action here, too. From the 4Rs framework to the controversies around the final declaration, ICARRD+20 revealed both opportunities and challenges for Europe’s land movements. How can A2L translate these global insights into local impact? Our reflections and next steps follow.

farmer holding the report

Who should receive CAP payments? A new legal analysis on the future of the “active farmer” definition

Who should receive CAP payments?
A new legal analysis examines the definition of “active farmer” in the Common Agricultural Policy and explores how it could be strengthened in the 2028–2034 reform. From tightening eligibility criteria to introducing the concept of an “agroecological farmer,” the report outlines concrete pathways to better align public support with those who genuinely work the land and contribute to ecological transition.

Why Europe Needs a Land Observatory -Panel at ORFC26

At ORFC 2026, A2L facilitated a panel on why Europe urgently needs a Land Observatory. Without transparent data on land ownership, prices and concentration, addressing speculation and supporting new agroecological farmers is like farming in the fog. A Land Observatory would bring clarity – helping ensure farmland serves public good, not just private profit.

Regenerative Agriculture, Land Justice, and the Risk of Financial Capture

A new position paper by Agroecology Europe (February 2026) brings much-needed clarity to the growing debate around regenerative agriculture. While acknowledging shared agronomic practices, the paper warns that regenerative narratives are increasingly vulnerable to corporate capture and financialisation.

Generational Renewal in Farming – Comparative Findings

Across Europe, the farming population is aging while fewer farms find successors. This comparative overview compiles insights from several countries to identify common patterns behind the slowdown in generational renewal. It shows that the challenge is not only demographic: land prices, concentration of ownership, and insufficiently targeted public support make entry into farming difficult. By highlighting shared barriers and emerging policy approaches, the publication aims to support discussion on how agricultural policies and land governance can enable a new generation of farmers.

Understanding french local instruments for the regulation of agricultural land

France uses a dense set of local rules and institutions to shape who can buy, lease, and farm agricultural land. A new DEFIBIO project note outlines how tools like SAFER’s market oversight, the control of farm structures, and regional SDREA priority rules interact in practice. Together, they influence everyday access to land, from pre-empting sales to assessing farm takeover applications and regulating company share acquisitions under the Sempastous Law.