FACCE MACSUR gathered the excellence of existing research in livestock, crop, and trade science to describe how climate variability and change will affect regional farming systems and food production in Europe in the near and the far future and the associated risks and opportunities for European food security. The overarching challenge was to develop a pan-European capability in the development, use and interpretation of models to perform risk assessments of the impacts of climate change on European agriculture. FACCE MACSUR was the pilot FACCE-JPI action, which started in June 2012 for 3 years (MACSUR1). It was extended for a further 2 years (MACSUR2) until May 2017. MACSUR consists of 3 coordinated and integrated networks on 1) crops (CropM); 2) grasslands and livestock (LiveM) and 3) economics and trade (TradeM). The strategic objective of MACSUR was to create a coordinated and visible European network bringing together the major European research groups to join forces, share expertise and data resources, and address this urgent issue in a timely and concerted fashion. The Knowledge Hub MACSUR community consisted of 70 institutions from 18 countries, and ~300 researchers. This action belongs to the FACCE-JPI 2010-2020 - Core theme 4 - Adaptation to climate change.