European farmers are faced with increasing challenges, including the effects of climate change. Agro-ecological approaches can help them to develop more sustainable and resilient farming systems that combine stable yields with enhanced biodiversity and ecosystem services. Agro-ecological approaches are inspired by natural ecosystems. They focus on the interactions between plants, animals, soil organisms, people and the environment. This means that they optimise the use of natural resources, enhance biological processes in the soil, and improve biomass, nutrient, carbon and water cycles. This allows producers to reduce external inputs and costs, while improving the health and resilience of plants and animals. Different types of farming systems are using agro-ecological approaches across Europe. Some of these focus on diversification, including agroforestry, mixed croplivestock systems, or crop rotation and diversification to increase productivity and resource efficiency and create new market opportunities. Agro-ecology delivers solutions for local conditions and challenges. Ideally, these innovations are created together, combining science with practical knowledge and modern technologies, and the knowhow and expertise of different producers. This way, agro-ecology can give farmers and foresters more autonomy with long-term solutions that are adapted to their needs, leading to resilient farms. This brochure features inspiration from a number of EIP-AGRI Operational Groups and other innovative projects and networks that are exploring ways to develop agro-ecological practices for European agriculture and forestry, with agricultural, environmental and economic benefits. They bring people with diverse expertise together to make the most of local know-how for mutual benefit.