Agroecology Europe

ongoing

AEEU aims to analyse, design, develop and promote the transition towards agroecology-based farming and food systems in Europe and throughout the world. It intends to place agroecology high on the EU agenda of sustainable development of farming and food systems. It intends to foster interactions between actors in science, practice, and social movements by facilitating knowledge sharing and action. It aims at the creation of an inclusive European community of professionals, practitioners, and citizens engaged in agroecology. Agroecology is considered jointly as a science, a practice and a social movement. It encompasses the whole food system from the soil to the organization of human societies. It is value-laden and based on core principles. As a science, it gives priority to action research, holistic and participatory approaches, and transdisciplinarity research that is inclusive of different knowledge systems. As a practice, it is based on sustainable use of local renewable resources, local farmers’ knowledge and priorities, wise use of biodiversity to provide ecosystem services and resilience, as well as solutions that create multiple benefits (environmental, economic, social) from local to global. As a movement, it defends smallholders and family farming, farmers and rural communities, food sovereignty, local and short food supply chains, diversity of indigenous seeds and breeds, and healthy and quality food. Agroecology represents an opportunity for a paradigm shift in the agricultural and food systems sectors by promoting knowledge, practices, and benefits as a sustainable solution. Within this paradigm, the core of the agricultural activity is no longer to use inputs to produce outputs, but rather to better valorise ecological processes and ecosystem services within agroecosystems and to ensure their long-term functionality.