Our research supports the development of rural businesses

Sustainable use of land and water – encompassing forests, farmland, pastures, water bodies and other natural resources – requires harnessing the full potential of local assets, including biodiversity. For local businesses, this means identifying new opportunities in collaboration with other landowners. To succeed, this potential must be made visible, and landowners or entrepreneurs must have both the motivation and the right conditions to act on emerging opportunities. Such transformative processes rarely occur through traditional approaches; instead, they call for new and innovative working methods.

The SLU Competence Centre for Advisory Services contributes by developing and implementing modern methodologies that enable stakeholders to recognise and benefit from their local resource base. One such methodology is the Land Use Dialogues, which has received significant national attention. This approach includes creating conditions for restoring forests to natural pastureland, testing nature-based solutions, and developing plans that support green infrastructure.