End-of-Year Message from IFLA Europe President and the Executive Council
Landscape connects us — to place, to each other, and to the living systems we depend on. It is a simple idea, yet one that carries great weight. When this connection is nurtured, landscapes become sources of identity, resilience and well-being. When it weakens, we witness the consequences in our cities, our ecosystems and our communities.
Throughout 2025, we were reminded of how essential this connection truly is. Across Europe, extreme weather events, pressures on land, and social and environmental transitions highlighted the urgency of landscape thinking. At the same time, our Regional Conference and General Assembly in Brussels showed how powerful our community can be when we come together—sharing knowledge, strengthening partnerships, and reaffirming the role of landscape architecture in shaping a sustainable European future.
As IFLA Europe, our strength lies in our diversity and in our shared purpose. We unite different languages, cultures, and professional traditions, yet we all work toward the same goal: a Europe where landscapes are planned, managed, designed and valued with care. This year, we advanced this mission through our work in education, professional practice, policy engagement and cross-disciplinary collaboration. These achievements belong to all of us.
On behalf of the Executive Council, I extend my sincere thanks to our National Associations, volunteers, Working Group members, Project teams, Secretariat and our Partners and Sponsors. Your commitment enables IFLA Europe to speak clearly, act confidently and support our profession at a time when landscape expertise has never been more needed.
As we look toward 2026, our focus remains on strengthening the visibility of landscape architecture, empowering our members and deepening collaboration across Europe and beyond. Together we will continue addressing the planetary and social challenges ahead, guided by the belief that landscape is both a resource and a responsibility we all share.
Thank you for your trust and dedication.
We are wishing you a peaceful, festive season and a healthy, inspiring New Year!
Indra Purs, IFLA Europe President
on behalf of all members of the IFLA Europe Executive Council
The Irish Landscape Institute is a member organisation of IFLA Europe
