The European Plant Support (EPS) Foundation has once again awarded financial support to innovative projects in the nursery sector. During the board meeting on March 10, it was decided to fund three initiatives that contribute to sustainability, innovation, and knowledge-sharing within the industry. These projects will be presented at GrootGroenPlus 2025 and will make a tangible impact on the sector’s continued development.
Three Selected Projects
As in previous rounds, special attention was given to selecting projects that would bring the greatest benefits to the industry. A total of three projects have been chosen:
Certification of Miscanthus as a Sustainable Substrate Material
This project focuses on certifying Miscanthus as an RHP-certified substrate material. With this certification, farmers will be able to grow a new renewable crop, substrate producers will gain access to locally sourced raw materials, and nurseries will find it easier to transition to peat-free substrates. The initiative contributes to reducing CO₂ emissions and promoting a more sustainable supply chain. The certification process is expected to begin in early 2025 and continue through mid-2026. This project has been submitted by Miscanthus-Agri, recognizing the benefits this certification can bring to the entire supply chain. To achieve this goal, they will collaborate with RHP and other industry partners.
Garden Center Event at GrootGroenPlus 2025
Following the success of the retail theme in 2024, EPS will support the organization of a special event for garden centers in the Netherlands and Belgium. The event will feature a sustainability-focused seminar and a Green Climate Square, highlighting four key themes:
- Green roofs
- Water management in gardens
- Pavement removal (and sustainable replacement options)
- Biodiversity
This initiative is already active in the Netherlands and is currently being implemented in Belgium. The goal is to bring together garden centers, governments, and nature organizations to promote sustainable garden design. While the event primarily targets Dutch and Belgian participants, simultaneous translation via headsets will make it accessible to international visitors. Several media partners will also be involved.
Targeted Content Creation and Information Sharing via GGP.News
To enhance information exchange within the nursery sector and increase the visibility of GrootGroenPlus, significant investments are being made in high-quality content creation for GGP.News. This platform will provide year-round updates for participants, visitors, and decision-makers, ensuring that GGP remains internationally relevant and well-positioned as a leading networking platform for the nursery industry.
The project will primarily target key audiences, including:
- Nursery professionals and international traders as potential participants and visitors
- Decision-makers in relevant industries who could benefit from attending or being present at GGP
- Media outlets and industry organizations that can help further distribute content
EPS Continues to Drive Innovation and Sustainability
With these funding allocations, EPS reinforces its long-term commitment to sustainability, education, and innovation in the nursery sector. The foundation encourages entrepreneurs and organizations to continue investing in groundbreaking initiatives that will ensure a future-proof nursery industry.
