Author: Miranda García (AEIDL)
From 8 to 12 June 2026, researchers, students and experts gathered at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Laxenburg for the LAMASUS, BrightSpace and Tools4CAP Summer School 2026.
The Summer School brought together three Horizon Europe projects to explore how modelling tools, datasets and policy analysis can support sustainable land management, agricultural policy design and climate-related decision-making.
This year’s edition attracted strong interest, with more than 75 applications received. Following a selection process, 26 participants attended the Summer School, representing 17 nationalities and different professional and academic backgrounds, including agriculture, forestry, water, biodiversity and environmental policy.
Tools4CAP contribution to CAP design and evaluation
Tools4CAP contributed to the programme by showing how modelling approaches can support the design, implementation and evaluation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
On the fourth day, Bérénice Dupeux from Ecorys, Tools4CAP coordinator, presented the project’s objectives, main outputs and contribution to strengthening the evidence base for CAP decision-making. Her session introduced participants to the role of Tools4CAP in supporting public authorities and policy actors with methods, tools and knowledge for more informed CAP Strategic Plan design and evaluation.
The Tools4CAP contribution also included the presentation of the Czech Republic case study by Juliana Arbelaez-Gaviria from CzechGlobe, Tools4CAP partner. The case study was developed using GLOBIOM, the Global Biosphere Management Model developed at IIASA, and illustrated how modelling can be applied to assess agricultural policy scenarios, explore possible trade-offs and support decision-making in a real policy context.
Practical learning with modelling tools and datasets
Throughout the week, participants took part in expert lectures, practical exercises, group work and peer discussions. The programme introduced them to several tools and platforms, including the LAMASUS Land Use and Management Geodatabase, the IIASA Accelerator platform, the LAMASUS Data Explorer and Jupyter–based analysis environments.
Participants also worked with GLOBIOM-based model outputs, developed visualisations and discussed how different future scenarios could affect land use, agriculture and environmental outcomes. These hands-on activities helped them better understand how modelling results can inform policy debates and support more robust decision-making.
The programme also addressed topics such as land-use change modelling, production cost analysis, biophysical modelling and biodiversity assessment. These sessions highlighted the importance of combining data, models and policy analysis to address complex sustainability challenges.
Strengthening collaboration across projects
The Summer School strengthened collaboration between LAMASUS, BrightSpace and Tools4CAP by connecting complementary expertise on land-use modelling, sustainable transitions and agricultural policy support.
For Tools4CAP, the event was an opportunity to share project results with an international audience and highlight how modelling approaches can support CAP design and evaluation. It also helped build capacity among researchers, early-career professionals and policy-oriented experts interested in applying modelling tools to real policy questions.
The week closed with reflections from participants and organisers on the main lessons learned. Overall, the Summer School combined technical training, policy discussion and peer exchange, while helping participants build new links across disciplines, institutions and countries.
Read the full summary here.