Milestones

Roadmap & milestones

1 - Mapping access-to-land initiatives

Conducting in-depth research to understand the landscape of access-to-land initiatives both nationally and across Europe. The goal is to create a comprehensive report that outlines the various legal frameworks employed by similar projects, examining their operational models, funding strategies, and governance structures. Special attention will be given to the Italian legal context, identifying existing alternative land ownership models and assessing their applicability. This mapping exercise will also act as a catalyst for stakeholder engagement, fostering connections and building networks essential for the foundation’s future collaborations. The insights gained will inform the development of an optimal legal and financial framework tailored to the participatory foundation’s mission. Outcome: a comprehensive report guiding the development of the following steps.

2 - Stakeholder engagement & community involvement

Engaging a diverse range of stakeholders is essential for creating a resilient and inclusive participatory foundation. This phase will focus on identifying and connecting with key players across sectors—farmers, legal experts, academics, civil society organizations, and regenerative agriculture practitioners. Through organized workshops and dialogue sessions, stakeholders will collaboratively shape the operational model of the foundation, ensuring it reflects diverse perspectives and expertise. These interactions will help establish trust and align visions, creating a solid network committed to the foundation’s mission. By involving stakeholders early in the process, the foundation will foster a sense of shared ownership and community involvement. Outcome: a robust multi-stakeholder network actively contributing to the foundation’s development.

3 - Management contracts, selection protocols & MRV system

Developing the legal and operational backbone of the foundation is key to ensuring effective land stewardship. Management contracts will be crafted in collaboration with legal experts to set clear terms for land use and outline what constitutes regenerative agriculture within the foundation’s context. The bylaw will establish criteria for selecting eligible agricultural entities, define how resources are allocated, and specify compliance protocols. The MRV system will use a blend of leading and lagging indicators to measure both immediate practices and long-term outcomes, covering ecological, social, and economic impacts. This approach ensures transparency, accountability, and alignment with the foundation’s regenerative goals. Outcome: finalization of the foundation’s operational and regulatory framework.

4 - Fundraising for establishing the foundation

Setting up the foundation involves a dual focus on legal structuring and initial fundraising. A dedicated fundraising committee will be established to oversee this process, tasked with securing the necessary capital and implementing robust transparency measures for fund allocation. In addition to these core responsibilities, the committee will engage potential donors and stakeholders, fostering precious relationships. The committee will channel €30,000 towards the legal constitution of the foundation and €90,000 to cover the foundation's administrative costs, develop the foundation's branding, create a fully functional website, and hire initial staff to support operations. This approach ensures that the foundation is launched with a strong organizational and operational base, setting the stage for long-term sustainability and impact. Outcome: the legal registration of the foundation.

5 - Fundraising for the first land acquisition

While the foundation is being established, fundraising efforts for the first land acquisition will run in parallel. A strategic fundraising campaign will target different forms of finance and community engagement, emphasizing the foundation’s mission of returning land to the commons. Clear guidelines will be established to ensure transparency in how funds are allocated for land purchases. Simultaneously, a long-term financial sustainability plan will be developed, focusing on creating diverse income streams to support future land acquisitions and the foundation’s broader activities. In parallel with the foundation’s establishment, efforts will focus on strengthening fundraising strategies, community engagement, and expanding networks to support future land acquisitions and regenerative agriculture initiatives. Outcome: the required amount for the initial land acquisition is reached.

6 - Land acquisition & farmer onboarding

The core mission of the foundation comes to life with the acquisition of land and onboarding of farmers. Using the funds raised, the foundation will purchase its first plots of land, focusing on areas at risk of speculation or neglect. The foundation will focus on both acquiring land to consolidate and scale existing successful projects that have already demonstrated their regenerative potential, as well as supporting new projects led by aspiring farmers with promising ideas and strong intentions. In all cases, special attention will be given to evaluating the farmer's holistic context and business plan, to ensure economic viability and long-term sustainability. Tailored education and training programs will be provided to help farmers successfully manage the land regeneratively and achieve their goals. Outcome: first land acquisition completed and farmers onboarded.

7 - Education, incubators, & long-term stewardship

To secure the future of regenerative agriculture, the foundation will develop comprehensive education and apprenticeship programs. These will include decentralized training centers on exemplary regenerative farms for hands-on learning experiences. The goal is to cultivate a new generation of land stewards who will carry the foundation’s mission across generations. These programs will not only focus on agricultural practices, but also on community engagement, ecological stewardship, and financial sustainability, serving as incubators for agroecological entrepreneurs by providing mentorship, business planning, and pathways to land access. A replication strategy will expand the foundation’s programs to different bioregional contexts, amplifying its impact. Outcome: inauguration of the diffused school of practice and first cohort of trained farmers.

8 - Transparency, risk management & impact reporting

Transparency and accountability are essential for building trust and ensuring long-term success. The foundation will implement a comprehensive reporting system to track environmental, social, and economic impacts, focusing on optimizing multi-capital abundance. This will involve developing a comprehensive science-based framework, designed to measure ecosystem health, community well-being, financial resilience, and complementary metrics. The system might use both leading indicators, to track subtle changes in ongoing efforts, and lagging indicators, to assess long-term outcomes. Regular evaluations will help optimize strategies and ensure continuous improvement, returning valuable data not only for the community but also for farmers. Outcome: first annual impact report published, showcasing environmental, social, and economic achievements.