The project addressed the critical need for sustainable development in rural communities across Europe and Central Asia (ECA), aligning with SDGs 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger). In the ECA region, nearly one-third of the population resided in rural areas, where small family farms dominated the agricultural sector. Despite some progress, these areas continued to suffer from significantly lower income levels compared to urban areas. Challenges included limited access to resources such as land, finances, and technology, as well as a lack of entities capable of providing training on sustainable agricultural practices and disseminating knowledge to communities and governments. The COVID-19 crisis further highlighted the need for stronger local production systems, shorter value chains, and enhanced resilience of smallholders through nature-based solutions and agroecology.