Our National Facilitators Network
Discover the DIGI-Rangeland National Facilitators Network, active across 11 European countries. This network brings together key organisations and experts who connect farmers, advisors, and researchers at national level, fostering knowledge exchange and supporting the adoption of innovative solutions for sustainable rangeland management. Curious to learn more? Click on the contacts in the interactive map to explore detailed information about each National Facilitator and their role within DIGI-Rangeland!
Galicia
F. Javier Rodríguez Rigueiro
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
F. Javier Rodríguez Rigueiro is a researcher in the Department of Plant Production and Engineering Projects at the School of Engineering of the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. He is a member of the AGROECOLFOR research group, focusing on agroforestry and agroecological systems within the field of Plant Production. He holds a PhD from the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (2021), with a dissertation entitled “Agroforestry Innovation and CAP: Impact on Climate Change, Bio-economy and Circular Economy”. His research centers on agroforestry innovation, sustainable bioresource management, and the role of agricultural policy in addressing climate change and promoting the circular bioeconomy.
Contact
greece
Aimilia Lempesi
Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH)
Aimilia Lempesi is from Greece and received her Forester degree from the Department of Forestry & Environmental Management of Karpenisi in 2010 and her Master's degree in Ecology and Management of Forest Ecosystems from the Department of Forestry and Environmental Management and Natural Resources of the Democritus University of Thrace in 2013. In 2023, she was awarded a PhD from the Department of Forestry and Management of Environment and Natural Resources of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of the Democritus University of Thrace, in the field of Range Science. Her research interests include the effect of grazing intensity on vegetation and the functional characteristics of understory plant species in grazed oak forests, the recording, analysis and evaluation of flora and vegetation. She has also published scientific papers in Greek and foreign journals and conferences. As part of the fellowship, in the year 2021-2022 she carried out auxiliary teaching work at the Democritus University of Thrace in the Cognitive Subject of Range Science. Since the spring semester of 2023 she has been working as a Part-Time Lecturer at the Democritus University of Thrace in the Cognitive Subject of Range Science.
Contact
United kingdom
Claire Morgan-Davies
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
She has been involved in participatory research with various stakeholders for more than 20 years. Her main interests lie in extensive sheep systems and farmers’ uptake of technologies. She is a researcher based in Scotland, at the SRUC Hill & Mountain Research Centre, Kirkton & Auchtertyre research farms. She has been involved in previous EU thematic networks around sheep systems, small ruminants and technologies.
Contact
france
Germain Tesnière
Institut de l'Élevage (IDELE)
Germain Tesnière is a project manager at the “Institut de l’Élevage” (IDELE – The French Livestock Institute), where he leads and supports projects involving digital technologies and innovations for the sheep, goat and cattle sectors, within the framework of regional, national, and European projects. Engineer in agronomy, he also holds a PhD in management sciences (Mines ParisTech / INRAE), with dual expertise at the interface of biotechnical sciences and human and social sciences, on topics related to ruminant farming and innovation. Previously, he supported farmers’ associations of local mountain breeds in various research and development projects to support rangeland agriculture and the sustainability of local breeds and their farming systems. At IDELE, he is currently involved in various projects for digital innovation applied to the ruminant sectors and he coordinates the European DIGI-Rangeland project.
Contact
Romania
George Catean
Fundația Adept (ADEPT)
George Căţean holds a degree in Marketing from the Transilvania University of Brașov and combines academic training with practical agricultural experience to further develop a family’s sustainable and community-oriented farming model. Coming from a long line of shepherds in the Brașov area, he continues a multi-generational agricultural tradition together with his parents and two brothers, being the owner of Ferma Căţean, located in Rotbav, Brașov County, Romania. The farm operates under organic practices, raising over 1,500 sheep and more than 100 cows. In addition to livestock farming, the business produces traditional cheeses and meat products, which are sold through their own retail outlets, local stores, and selected chain stores. Ferma Căţean also supplies milk to local schools and regularly hosts educational visits, giving children the opportunity to learn firsthand where their food comes from and how it is produced.
Contact
iceland
Jóhannes Sveinbjörnsson
Agricultural University of Iceland (LBHI)
Jóhannes Sveinbjörnsson is an Associate Professor at the Agricultural University of Iceland, where he is part of the Department of Ræktun og fæða (Agronomy and Feed Science). He has served as Associate Professor since 2006, following earlier roles as Lecturer at the same institution and Research Specialist at RALA. He holds a PhD (2006) and an MSc (1998) in Feed Science from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and a BSc in Agricultural Sciences from the Agricultural University of Iceland. His teaching includes graduate seminars and courses such as Feed Science and Environmental Issues at the Arctic Edge, reflecting his research interests in animal nutrition, forage systems, and sustainable agricultural production in northern environments.
Contact
Switzerland
Markus Rombach
Centre for Agricultural Advisory and Extension Services (AGRIDEA)
Markus Rombach is Head of the Animal Production Group in AGRIDEA. He specializes in dairy production and livestock systems, with particular expertise in feed management and ration planning. His professional focus also includes pig and poultry production, contributing to applied research and advisory work in sustainable and efficient animal farming systems.
Contact
norway
Lise Grøva
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)
Lise is a research scientist whose main research interests lie within rangeland sheep production systems, and having health strong animals well adapted to the environment we provide them. Also, understanding our rangeland production systems related to sustainable development is of main interest to her. She points out in her research the need to address how sheep can prove us with both sustainable food and clothes.
Contact
slovenia
Aleš Tolar
Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (CAFS)
Aleš Tolar is a project manager at the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia. His responsibility is managing of all European projects where Chamber is taking part. Bachelor of Organisational sciences in Informatics, he also holds a master’s degree in International economics. Previously he was employed in private company working in project preparation and implementation and in Agricultural land fund of Republic of Slovenia.
Contact
Croatia
Domagoj Gorup
South Eastern Europe Advisory Service Network (SEASN)
Domagoj Gorup is a project manager and Head of SEASN main office in Zagreb, he graduated in animal science and specialized in meat science at the faculty of agronomy in Zagreb. About 6 years of professional experience in project management, interactive innovation processes in advisory networks, food management, and meat processing technology. He was the project manager for other several H2020 projects like I2connect, Stratus, AdvisoryNetPest, and ClimedFruit.
Contact
bulgaria
Yanka Kazakova-Mateva
Society for Territorial and Environmental Prosperity (STEP)
Yanka Kazakova-Mateva is an Associate Professor at the Business Faculty of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) in Sofia, Bulgaria. She is affiliated with the Department of Economics of Natural Resources within the field of Social, Economic and Legal Sciences. Her academic specialization is in Economics, with a scientific focus on Economics and Management (Agricultural and Environmental Policy). Her research and teaching activities center on agricultural policy, environmental governance, sustainable resource management, and the economic dimensions of rural and environmental development.
Contact
Our National Facilitators Network
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Our National Facilitators Network
Discover the DIGI-Rangeland National Facilitators Network, active across 11 European countries. This network brings together key organisations and experts who connect farmers, advisors, and researchers at national level, fostering knowledge exchange and supporting the adoption of innovative solutions for sustainable rangeland management. Curious to learn more? Click on the contacts in the interactive map to explore detailed information about each National Facilitator and their role within DIGI-Rangeland!
Galicia
F. Javier Rodríguez Rigueiro
Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
F. Javier Rodríguez Rigueiro is a researcher in the Department of Plant Production and Engineering Projects at the School of Engineering of the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. He is a member of the AGROECOLFOR research group, focusing on agroforestry and agroecological systems within the field of Plant Production. He holds a PhD from the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela (2021), with a dissertation entitled “Agroforestry Innovation and CAP: Impact on Climate Change, Bio-economy and Circular Economy”. His research centers on agroforestry innovation, sustainable bioresource management, and the role of agricultural policy in addressing climate change and promoting the circular bioeconomy.
Contact
greece
Aimilia Lempesi
Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH)
Aimilia Lempesi is from Greece and received her Forester degree from the Department of Forestry & Environmental Management of Karpenisi in 2010 and her Master's degree in Ecology and Management of Forest Ecosystems from the Department of Forestry and Environmental Management and Natural Resources of the Democritus University of Thrace in 2013. In 2023, she was awarded a PhD from the Department of Forestry and Management of Environment and Natural Resources of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry of the Democritus University of Thrace, in the field of Range Science. Her research interests include the effect of grazing intensity on vegetation and the functional characteristics of understory plant species in grazed oak forests, the recording, analysis and evaluation of flora and vegetation. She has also published scientific papers in Greek and foreign journals and conferences. As part of the fellowship, in the year 2021-2022 she carried out auxiliary teaching work at the Democritus University of Thrace in the Cognitive Subject of Range Science. Since the spring semester of 2023 she has been working as a Part-Time Lecturer at the Democritus University of Thrace in the Cognitive Subject of Range Science.
Contact
United kingdom
Claire Morgan-Davies
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
She has been involved in participatory research with various stakeholders for more than 20 years. Her main interests lie in extensive sheep systems and farmers’ uptake of technologies. She is a researcher based in Scotland, at the SRUC Hill & Mountain Research Centre, Kirkton & Auchtertyre research farms. She has been involved in previous EU thematic networks around sheep systems, small ruminants and technologies.
Contact
france
Germain Tesnière
Institut de l'Élevage (IDELE)
Germain Tesnière is a project manager at the “Institut de l’Élevage” (IDELE – The French Livestock Institute), where he leads and supports projects involving digital technologies and innovations for the sheep, goat and cattle sectors, within the framework of regional, national, and European projects. Engineer in agronomy, he also holds a PhD in management sciences (Mines ParisTech / INRAE), with dual expertise at the interface of biotechnical sciences and human and social sciences, on topics related to ruminant farming and innovation. Previously, he supported farmers’ associations of local mountain breeds in various research and development projects to support rangeland agriculture and the sustainability of local breeds and their farming systems. At IDELE, he is currently involved in various projects for digital innovation applied to the ruminant sectors and he coordinates the European DIGI-Rangeland project.
Contact
Romania
George Catean
Fundația Adept (ADEPT)
George Căţean holds a degree in Marketing from the Transilvania University of Brașov and combines academic training with practical agricultural experience to further develop a family’s sustainable and community-oriented farming model. Coming from a long line of shepherds in the Brașov area, he continues a multi-generational agricultural tradition together with his parents and two brothers, being the owner of Ferma Căţean, located in Rotbav, Brașov County, Romania. The farm operates under organic practices, raising over 1,500 sheep and more than 100 cows. In addition to livestock farming, the business produces traditional cheeses and meat products, which are sold through their own retail outlets, local stores, and selected chain stores. Ferma Căţean also supplies milk to local schools and regularly hosts educational visits, giving children the opportunity to learn firsthand where their food comes from and how it is produced.
Contact
iceland
Jóhannes Sveinbjörnsson
Agricultural University of Iceland (LBHI)
Jóhannes Sveinbjörnsson is an Associate Professor at the Agricultural University of Iceland, where he is part of the Department of Ræktun og fæða (Agronomy and Feed Science). He has served as Associate Professor since 2006, following earlier roles as Lecturer at the same institution and Research Specialist at RALA. He holds a PhD (2006) and an MSc (1998) in Feed Science from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, and a BSc in Agricultural Sciences from the Agricultural University of Iceland. His teaching includes graduate seminars and courses such as Feed Science and Environmental Issues at the Arctic Edge, reflecting his research interests in animal nutrition, forage systems, and sustainable agricultural production in northern environments.
Contact
Switzerland
Markus Rombach
Centre for Agricultural Advisory and Extension Services (AGRIDEA)
Markus Rombach is Head of the Animal Production Group in AGRIDEA. He specializes in dairy production and livestock systems, with particular expertise in feed management and ration planning. His professional focus also includes pig and poultry production, contributing to applied research and advisory work in sustainable and efficient animal farming systems.
Contact
norway
Lise Grøva
Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)
Lise is a research scientist whose main research interests lie within rangeland sheep production systems, and having health strong animals well adapted to the environment we provide them. Also, understanding our rangeland production systems related to sustainable development is of main interest to her. She points out in her research the need to address how sheep can prove us with both sustainable food and clothes.
Contact
slovenia
Aleš Tolar
Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (CAFS)
Aleš Tolar is a project manager at the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia. His responsibility is managing of all European projects where Chamber is taking part. Bachelor of Organisational sciences in Informatics, he also holds a master’s degree in International economics. Previously he was employed in private company working in project preparation and implementation and in Agricultural land fund of Republic of Slovenia.
Contact
Croatia
Domagoj Gorup
South Eastern Europe Advisory Service Network (SEASN)
Domagoj Gorup is a project manager and Head of SEASN main office in Zagreb, he graduated in animal science and specialized in meat science at the faculty of agronomy in Zagreb. About 6 years of professional experience in project management, interactive innovation processes in advisory networks, food management, and meat processing technology. He was the project manager for other several H2020 projects like I2connect, Stratus, AdvisoryNetPest, and ClimedFruit.
Contact
bulgaria
Yanka Kazakova-Mateva
Society for Territorial and Environmental Prosperity (STEP)
Yanka Kazakova-Mateva is an Associate Professor at the Business Faculty of the University of National and World Economy (UNWE) in Sofia, Bulgaria. She is affiliated with the Department of Economics of Natural Resources within the field of Social, Economic and Legal Sciences. Her academic specialization is in Economics, with a scientific focus on Economics and Management (Agricultural and Environmental Policy). Her research and teaching activities center on agricultural policy, environmental governance, sustainable resource management, and the economic dimensions of rural and environmental development.
Contact