Grassland-HU LIFE IP

It is a well-known fact that the extent of ecologically significant habitat patches in agricultural areas is declining. Recognizing this, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan has announced a new funding opportunity for agricultural land users titled “Investments promoting the creation and maintenance of semi-natural and wetland habitats.” This grant supports the establishment and maintenance of grassy and shrubby strips on arable land, as well as the creation of wetlands on both arable and grassland areas.

On January 14, 2026, the Hortobágy National Park Directorate hosted the first event of this year’s eight-part educational Farmers' Forum series. The forum was organized in connection with the Grassland-HU LIFE Integrated Project.

The outstanding importance of Hungary’s grasslands – as highlighted by Bertalan Balczó, Deputy State Secretary responsible for nature conservation - is demonstrated by the fact that two thirds of the country’s protected plant species and around half of its animal species are associated with these habitats. “The Secrets of Grasslands” Photography Competition was organised for the 5th time with the aim of raising public awareness to ecological importance of grassland habitats.

The training farm of the Kőszeg Lutheran Secondary School—one of the model farms of the GRASSLAND-HU LIFE Integrated Project—has been awarded the prestigious “Meadow Hay of the Year” title. The award was received by the farm manager, Szabolcs Nagy, from Szilvia Orosz, Director of the Feed Analysis Laboratory at the Livestock Performance Testing Ltd.

The Grassland-HU LIFE Integrated Project is celebrating another significant professional achievement: at the 82nd National Agriculture and Food Exhibition and Fair (OMÉK), one of the project’s demonstration sites, the Horhos Valley Eco-Farm, won the Young Agricultural Professional Grand Prize.

As part of the GRASSLAND-HU LIFE Integrated Project, this year’s volunteer mowing camp was organised by the Herman Ottó Institute Nonprofit Ltd., with professional support of the Duna–Ipoly National Park Directorate. During the six-day program, participants carried out conservation-oriented manual mowing on the protected Göbölyjárás fen meadow, in the Tápió region.

At the latest stop of the model farm demonstration series of the Grassland-HU LIFE Integrated Project, farmers were introduced to the practical implementation of sustainable livestock management at the farm of Róbert Barth. The event served as an excellent example of how nature-based farming can contribute to the wider adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in Hungary.

In the spring of 2025, the staff of the Hortobágy National Park Directorate organized a field day across several sites of the Grassland-HU project, which aims to ensure the long-term conservation of Pannonian grasslands and their associated habitats. Thanks to the habitat management activities carried out to date, we observed thriving plant communities at our demonstration sites.

How can we graze our livestock in a way that improves our soils, enriches our habitats, and also improves the well-being of our animals? Some of the questions are answered by the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture in a new professional publication. This magazine was prepared within the framework of the Grassland-HU LIFE IP project.

The fifth round of “The Secrets of Grasslands” photo contest draws attention to the beauty and diversity of grasslands. In the landscape category, participants are invited to present the charm and rich variety of grasslands from a broader perspective. A separate category was announced for showcasing the seasonal transformations of grassland habitats. We spoke with Bertalan Balczó, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural engineer, and chair of the jury, about the themes of the contest and the role of grassland protection, which lies at its core.