The 1st kick-off meeting of Butterfly Project took place in Paris, France, from April 3rd to 5th, 2025. Inspiring exchange of ideas among partner, discussion of the project’s goals for managing and promoting ecological insights and practices on pollinator stewardship, strategic planning for upcoming activities across Europe, and digital tools for territorial transformation were key topics of the meeting.
During the meeting a brief introduction to the project was conducted by Prof. Jeroen van der Sluijs and the pivotal purposes of each WP (Working Package) were presented. More precisely, Prof. Georgios Vlontzos introduced the objective of UTH’s WP (Multi-actor approach/LLs), Prof. Georgios Kleftodimos presented the WP2 (Economic Valuation and ecosystem accounting), while Prof. Ali Hosseini-Yekani briefly delved into the WP3 (CGE modelling/butterfly effects). Ecological data and modeling were also main topics of the meeting, along with a toolbox for resilience thinking, tools for mainstreaming, human dimensions, and management and coordination. In addition, an overview of the project’s LLs (Living Labs) (Region of Murcia, Zeeland, Northern Jutland, Ile-de-France, Southern Norway, and Milano region) and overseas B-sites (Greenland, Curaçao, and Martinique) were introduced. Topics regarding the EU requirements, project management, and finances, as well as topics in accordance with the data management plan and LLs establishment, were analyzed. Lastly, the meeting included voluntary activities regarding the site visit to Ile-de-France LL.
The meeting marked the official launch of a dynamic and interdisciplinary effort toward sustainable and resilient farming systems across Europe.
