Project description
Agroecology for sustainable agricultural and food systems
Agroecology is emerging as a one-way path for the development of sustainable agricultural and food systems in Europe. However, despite considerable efforts, full implementation is still limited. The EU-funded AE4EU project will contribute to research and innovation on agroecology development through various strategic goals. The project will develop a blueprint for a European network of agroecological living labs, research infrastructure and other related players. Moreover, it will map local-, regional- and national-level innovations and initiatives in various European countries, providing an inclusive and precise overview of agroecology and facilitating the connection of funding schemes and policies. The project will also make recommendations for the improvement of funding for public and private agroecological research.
Objective
The current situation in Europe clearly indicates that major changes are needed to develop sustainable agricultural and food systems. In this respect, agroecology is increasingly seen as an important pathway as it designs, develops and promotes the transition towards sustainable farming and food systems. Although a certain development of agroecology and its different facets in Europe can be stated, it remains so far too limited to allow a successful transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems.
The present project will contribute to agroecology research and innovation development through different strategic objectives. AE4EU will develop a road map and framework for a European network of agroecological living labs (LL) and research infrastructure (RI), and other relevant actors. Major avenues for this will be the mapping of local, regional and national state of the art and initiatives in different European countries, provide also a more comprehensive and detailed overview of how agroecology is understood. This will lay out the ground to connect relevant actors of identified initiatives, LL, RI, funding schemes and policies. Further, the project will identify and assess past and ongoing agroecological LL and RI initiatives, and how they derive relevant and successful approaches for transition to agroecological production and food systems. Moreover, AE4EU will identify and analyse policy frameworks that include elements of agroecology and provide recommendations for future reinforcement and adaptation. The project will as well work out propositions for potential changes and improvements for enlarged and complementary funding of public and philanthropic/private funders to enhance research, practice and innovation of agroecology in Europe. The overall goal of AE4EU is through reinforced networks development and connection of a large diversity of relevant actors across Europe accelerate the transition to sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.1. - Increasing production efficiency and coping with climate change, while ensuring sustainability and resilience
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.2. - Providing ecosystems services and public goods
Funding Scheme
CSA - Coordination and support actionCoordinator
69007 Lyon
France