The WESEM project responds to the growing need for sustainable land management across Europe. As private landowners are responsible for managing a significant proportion of the EU’s agricultural and forestry land, there is increasing pressure to align these practices with the ambitious goals set out in the European Green Deal, particularly in relation to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
Despite their crucial role, many landowners and farmers lack the specialist training required to implement ethical and sustainable management practices. WESEM addresses this gap by focusing on vocational education and training (VET) for professionals in forestry, agriculture, and environmental sciences. The project equips them with the knowledge and skills needed to advise landowners on biodiversity conservation, sustainable land use, and how to achieve the Wildlife Estate label – a certification that recognises exemplary biodiversity management.
By empowering VET professionals to become trusted advisors, the project promotes long-term environmental stewardship and helps drive the transition towards more sustainable and resilient rural landscapes in Europe.