The second transnational meeting of partners within the Erasmus+ project SMART STEP – Climate-Smart Steps in Grassland Management and Improvement was held on 23 and 24 March 2026 in Mérida, Spain. The meeting was hosted by the partner institution CICYTEX (Centro de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas de Extremadura).
During the meeting, the partners reviewed the project results achieved so far, activities related to the implementation of project outputs, dissemination activities, and plans for the upcoming period. Particular attention was given to outputs related to the analysis of the current status of semi-natural grasslands in the partner countries, the development of educational content, and the preparation of new professional materials aimed at strengthening capacities for the sustainable management of grasslands under climate change conditions.
The meeting confirmed the successful completion of the project output “Analysis of the Current Status and Management Systems of Semi-Natural Grasslands in Partner Countries”, whose preparation was coordinated by the team of the Institute for Animal Husbandry.
In Mérida, the partners also discussed the start of work on the preparation of the Training Modules for Adaptive Management and Improvement of Semi-Natural Grasslands under Climate Change Conditions, within which our Institute will prepare three professional modules: “Animal Nutrition and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Strategies”, “Technological Innovations in Precision Livestock Farming for Grassland Management”, and “Energy Efficiency and Economic Aspects of Grazing in Livestock Production.” These topics represent an important part of the project’s future educational content and directly connect modern livestock production, sustainable grassland use, and climate-responsible production practices.
In addition to the working part of the meeting, the partners had the opportunity to become familiar with the research infrastructure of the host institution. The programme included visits to CICYTEX research facilities, the plant germplasm bank, and the Valdesequera experimental farm, where examples of good practice in grassland management, livestock production, and biodiversity conservation were presented. These activities further contributed to the exchange of experience among partners and to strengthening international cooperation within the project.
