The GOOD project, "Agroecology for Weeds," is a European project addressing the challenges of weed management in diverse agricultural systems. In response to the demand for reducing chemical inputs (herbicides) in agriculture, the project operates within a multi-disciplinary, stakeholder-engaged framework. It integrates knowledge from social sciences, digital technologies, and natural sciences to co-create, test, validate, and demonstrate sustainable weed management practices based on agroecological strategies tailored for conventional, organic, and mixed farming systems across Europe. A central element of the GOOD project is the establishment of 16 Living Labs (LLs) in nine countries and the creation of an Agroecological Weed Management Network (AWMN). These platforms serve as collaborative spaces for various stakeholders, including farmers, advisors, consumers, researchers, policymakers, and industry actors. The LLs test and evaluate combinations of agroecological weed management (AWM) strategies through real-world experimentation and co-creation processes. Key strategies include the use of cover crops, innovative solutions such as drones for weed mapping, and native arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculants. These strategies aim to improve the competitiveness of crops and cover crops against weeds while promoting soil health and ecological balance. GOOD also explores the socio-economic and policy dimensions of weed management. By examining behavioral drivers, market acceptance, and the environmental impact of AWM practices, the project aims to build a robust sustainability assessment framework. This includes developing business models and policy recommendations to support the widespread adoption of agroecological practices. Through dissemination, training programs, and stakeholder engagement, GOOD seeks to inspire a shift in perceptions and practices, facilitating an agroecological transition that benefits both people and nature. Its outcomes are scalable and transferable, ensuring long-term impact across European agri-food systems. The project also aims to enhance trust in AWM strategies by demonstrating tangible benefits and releasing a digital Decision Support System, the AWM Toolbox, to aid in weed management decisions.
