As the transition to sustainable agriculture gains momentum, the HarvRESt project is preparing to roll-out a series of locally tailored awareness raising campaigns across its five use cases regions. These campaigns, launching in 2025, aim to inform, inspire, and activate key stakeholders - farmers, energy communities, public authorities, and more – around the HarvRESt vision and the role of renewable energy sources in transforming European agriculture.

Through the use-cases’ awareness raising campaigns‎, the HarvRESt consortium aims to enhance awareness and strengthen the capacities of stakeholders and key actors involved in the application of renewable energy sources (RES) at the farm level. The primary objectives of these activities are to increase understanding of the benefits of RES, encourage a broader group of value chain actors to integrate RES into agricultural systems and improve social acceptance of renewable energy solutions. From farm visits to online storytelling, awareness raising campaigns ‎leverage both digital and face-to-face channels to:

• Raise awareness about the benefits of integrating renewable energy in farming
  
  
• Share best practices and success stories
  
  
• Encourage the adoption of innovative technologies such as biogas, photovoltaic systems, and energy management tools.

Besides the common goals of the awareness raising campaigns, each use case will have a particular focus tailored to its regional context, addressing specific technologies, stakeholder needs, and local challenges in the integration of RES into agriculture.

Italy – Agrovoltaics in action

The Italian use case explores the integration of photovoltaic panels with crop and livestock production. Their awareness-raising campaign combines webinars, social media, and national food and energy fairs (Vinitaly, TuttoFood, Cibus Tec) to reach farmers, schools, and local municipalities. A potential field visit to Fattoria Solidale del Circeo is also planned to provide a live demonstration of sustainable farming.

Norway – Energy resilience on the farm

Norway’s awareness-raising campaign focuses on self-sufficient energy systems that ensure food production continuity, even off-grid. Through school collaborations, showcase events, and demonstrations at Røysland Gaard, the campaign highlights how diversified energy sources and preparedness planning can build agricultural resilience. Key audiences include grid operators, municipalities, and national government.

Denmark – Data-driven biogas decisions

The Danish use case promotes a Decision Support System to guide farmers in adopting biogas solutions. Their awareness-raising campaign emphasises hands-on training, digital tool demonstrations, and knowledge-sharing with cooperatives. With a strong focus on usability and farmer feedback, the goal is to build trust and showcase success stories.

Spain (VdV-VRT) – From sun to soil

The Spanish campaign champions the use of photovoltaic systems and biogas as circular economy tools. Their awareness-raising campaign uses videos, field visits, and press outreach to highlight real-life results and overcome scepticism. Demonstration events at Torre Santamaría and Viñas del Vero help bring RES integration to life for farmers, environmental groups, and public authorities.

Spain (ACSA) – Empowering local champions

The ACSA campaign emphasises local storytelling, showcasing successful farms as models for RES integration. Through newsletters, farm visits, and regional events, it seeks to normalise renewable energy in rural settings and build community ownership of sustainability goals.