The Friends of the Countryside
The Friends of the Countryside is a non-profit making organisation consisting of a network of like minded private landowners,
rural managers and entrepreneurs from 27 countries stretching from the Rockies & Andes to the Carpathians.
By means of innovative, regenerative and sustainable practices, this network promotes the long term interests of their land. Through the platform of the European Landowners’ Organisation, the FCS are able to ensure that their voice is heard throughout the European Union and well beyond.
The Friends of the Countryside and the European Landowners’ Organisation stand in solidarity with our Ukrainian colleagues and citizens. Property rights, collaboration, dialogue & freedom are ELO’s most prominent values.
The Pre Tour will take place from May 26 to May 30, 2024 and will begin in Florence and end in Siena.
Details of our last GA are still available on the POZNAN website or you can head to the Trusted Members Area (top right).
Current Events
The July-August issue no. 206 of the CountrySide Magazine is out – Special Edition of the FCS General Assembly. You are invited to read it by clicking on the Publications page.
The FAMIGRO Award for Rural Entrepreneurship is officially OPEN for applications!
👩🌾 Open to any young (18 to 40) European countryside entrepreneur who has been making a special contribution to the rural economy, community and environment through an innovative project that is at least 2 years in the running and provides answers to the current challenges of the rural sector.
🏆 The winner receives a prize of €5,000, an article in the CountrySide Magazine and attendance to the General Assembly in Siena.
🗓️ The application deadline is February 1, 2024.
For more information please consult our ELO website or contact [email protected]
Since 2014, the European Bee Award is committed to find common solutions for the benefit of biodiversity by rewarding projects protecting pollinators.
The Bee Award 2023 journey is coming to a thrilling conclusion as our jury selected this year’s outstanding winners. Save the date for November 28, 2023, when the European Parliament will host our unique Bee Award Ceremony.
This prestigious event promises inspiration and recognition, celebrating those making a positive impact.
The Land and Soil Management Award 2023/24 is officially OPEN for applications!
👩🌾 Who can apply? Farmers, landowners, land managers, and groups of farmers! You can go solo or team up with research institutes, universities, or private companies.
🏆 The winner receives a cash prize of €5,000! Plus, our esteemed Jury can grant a Diploma of Recognition to exceptional entries.
🗓️ The application deadline is January 15, 2024.
For more information please consult our ELO website or contact [email protected].
Dear Friends,
We had a highly successful ForumforAg with over 800 participants in the hall and as many on line. If you missed any of the discussion or would like to see parts again, you can watch the recordings here
The ELO has launched the “Women for the Future of Agriculture” during the month of March to celebrate all women that are operative within the Agriculture sector.
Each day the ELO will post a story from a woman, to share her story and learn about her challenges within the sector.
4 FCS members took part! Galina Peycheva-Miteva, Norma Hoagland, Felicitas von Carlowitz and Stephanie Gigot.
To read:
Linked-in: Click here!
Twitter: Click here!
ELO website (overview of all articles): Click here!
The ELO Activity Report for **2022**
For all the news on ELO Policies, Projects, Awards, Events and the ELO family, please click here to access the online Flipbook version.
We are pleased to present the study that we produced in association with the François Sommer Foundation, OFB and AGPB in both English and French. Please click on the image to download it.
This work aims to serve as a scientific basis for the adoption of measures favorable to biodiversity within the framework of the reform of the CAP.
In order to see such measures adopted by the agricultural world, (& hence the involvement of the AGPB in the writing of the book) various sessions will be held including the Biodiversity summit.
We invite you to distribute this study widely to whom it may concern.
Hardback copies are available on order for 25€ +p&p. Please email events(at)elo.org
A comprehensive Power Point Presentation of the activities to support landowners by the European Landowners’ Organisation from the ELO General Assembly in Paris in December 2021. Please click here to view it
November 9 2022 : NEW ENTRY! Details of a book written by FCS member Iñigo Alvaro de Toledo : The Great Climate Regenation (in Italian)
If you have information to share, please write to events[@]elo.org
Welcoming Estates Website: Countryside estates open to the public for private events, countryside getaways with a historic touch, countryside produce, sports, restaurants, picnics and so much more…
Click on the logo for a full list of estates, their history and activities on offer or visit our Instagram page!
Click on the image to access information about all our Previous Events.