Background Mediterranean mountain ecosystems are characterised by low production capacity, mainly due to three factors: climatic conditions, difficulties using machinery and low organic matter content of the soils (low fertility). These factors have led to the abandonment of traditional multifunctional management, which has contributed to soil degradation, disappearance of open spaces in forests and therefore loss of biodiversity, and the development of high-density forest areas that increase the risk of fires. In Europe, around 271 000 km2 of Mediterranean mountain ecosystems (31% of the total area) have degraded soils. In order to improve soil productivity in these mountain areas and therefore increase productivity, adequate management systems are required. Objectives The objective of the LIFE+ POLYFARMING project is to test an innovative and cost-efficient multifunctional agro-silvo-pastoral system, in order to halt the abandonment of multifunctional agriculture in the Mediterranean mountains. This system will help to reverse the adverse environmental (e.g. soil degradation, vulnerability to climate change, risk of fire and loss of biodiversity) and socioeconomic impacts of land abandonment. The new system adapts different techniques for improving the structure, fertility and water retention capacity of the soil, and defines a new way of interrelating these techniques at farm scale to facilitate an improved land use with the following components: Integrated forest management based on the use of by-products (e.g. from thinning and cleaning of understory) as a resource for other farm activities and, in particular, the improvement of soil organic matter; Management of cattle through programmed intensive grazing, which is also an important tool for forest management (e.g. improvement of fertility); Multiple management of fruit trees with the production of grasses to meet the needs of livestock; and Self-sufficient management of mountain orchards using forest resources. The project will demonstrate the proposed agro-silvo-pastoral system on a pilot farm. The techniques will be disseminated among farmers to ensure its replicability in the territory. The project will create an opportunity for putting abandoned farms back into production, with subsequent benefits for the local economy, in particular job creation. The project’s model will contribute to the implementation of the Soil Thematic Strategy and the 7th Environment Action Plan that prioritises increasing soil organic matter. Expected results: An increase in soil organic matter from the current level of 2% to 4% by the end of the project, thus improving soil water retention capacity and decreasing fire risk; A pilot farm of 80 ha managed following the new agro-silvo-pastoral method; 15 ha of forest managed with the new integrated methodology; 7.5 ha of new open woodland managed following holistic management; Livestock managed according to the management plan; 7.5 ha of fruit trees with multiple production of pasture and soil management with cattle; One self-sufficient no-tillage orchard of 1.6 ha; Demonstration that the project creates an economically viable alternative for the recovery of abandoned farms of Mediterranean mountains; A guide for the application of this new agro-silvo-pastoral integrated management in other farms; Practical training for 100 students; Nine practical advisers on other farms; Communication with the European Agroforestry Federation and farmers’ associations to raise awareness and help farmers convert to agro-silvo-pastoral systems; and Job creation, with an expected increase to three permanent field workers.