The „protein plant strategy“ of the Federal Government of Germany aims to increase the cropped area for legumes such by 2030 from below 3 % to 10%. However, biotic and abiotic stresses reduce both yield and interannual yield stability. Faba bean (Vicia faba) yield stability is particularly harmed by abiotic stress during reproductive stages, which is expected to occur more often under current climate change prospects, which makes faba bean less attractive for farmers despite its huge yield potential. However, faba bean breeding is lagging behind major crops due to different reasons: the large and complex genome, the partial allogamous fertilization system and the low multiplication rate. FABALOUS aims to improve yield stability under combined environmental stresses using a multidisciplinary approach. A combination of state-of-the-art genomics, plant biotechnology and stress physiology with the characterization of new genetic resources and the development of novel phenotyping approaches should reveal a near-complete picture of stress response in faba bean. Based on these findings, we want to develop breeding markers which can be used both immediately using the current breeding materials, but may also assist introgressing exotic material into the elite breeding pool.