SUNRISE is an Agroecology Partnership project, committed to promoting agroecology and building a resilient, sustainable future for agriculture. The project unites a dynamic network of Agroecological Living Labs (AELLs) in 10 countries – Switzerland, Spain, Estonia, the Netherlands, Sweden, Romania, Slovakia, Italy and Germany fostering collaboration among researchers, experts, and farmers.
By combining five existing labs with five emerging initiatives, SUNRISE creates innovation hubs where science meets practice. Each Living Lab brings together multi-actor teams (MATs) to co-develop and test agroecological practices addressing key challenges such as soil health, crop diversification, pest biocontrol, biodiversity, and input reduction.
Through field trials and technology transfer, the project supports farmers in adopting sustainable solutions that enhance productivity while protecting the environment. These Living Labs act as Local Lighthouses, demonstrating successful practices that can scale up to European Lighthouses, promoting agroecology across the continent.
Together, the project partners are paving the way for a more sustainable, innovative, and resilient agricultural sector – empowering farmers to lead the green transition in Europe.
Mycolab Vesturland
The Mycolab Vesturland project in West Iceland is a founding member of the European SUNRISE network of agroecological living labs. Its central goal is improving soil health by closing nutrient cycles to advance sustainable food production. This collaborative initiative brings together Lbhí (the Icelandic Agricultural University) and Sveppasmiðja ehf. (a fungi production company) with local farmers, industry partners, schools, and policymakers in the Borgarbyggð area to engage in on-farm research, co-creation of concepts, and knowledge exchange. The lab offers various avenues for participation, including workshops, school excursions, internships, and research collaborations. The project is co-funded by the European Union.
More information about the project is available here: https://www.sunrise-agroecology.eu/
Follow the project on social media:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunriseeu/
- X: https://x.com/_Sunrise_eu
- BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/sunriseproject.bsky.social
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Sunrise-eu
