14/07/2021

European Partnership on Safe and Sustainable Food Systems: Narrative and factsheet published

The final consolidated narrative of the future European Partnership on Safe and Sustainable Food Systems for People, Planet and Climate is now available on the website of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) strategic working group on Food Systems.

The four thematic areas for transformative research and innovation include:

  1. Change the way we eat;
  2. Change the way we produce and process food;
  3. Change the way we connect citizens to food production; and
  4. Change the way we govern the food system.

Organic & agroecology in the narrative
The narrative considers TP Organics’ comment to include organic and agroecology as exemplary circular systems in the second area: “Special attention will be given to R&I approaches that build on the HE [Horizon Europe] Partnerships and Missions6 with linkages to safe and sustainable food systems, in particular those that create circular systems, use natural resources sustainably, and foster healthy soils (e.g. agroecological and organic approaches).”

It also took up the demand for collaborative and integrated policy design and governance engaging stakeholders, and that the partnership will advocate for a more extended view on food, not only as commodity but also as a commons and a human right.

What are European Partnerships?
European Partnerships bring the European Commission and private and/or public partners together to address some of Europe’s most pressing challenges through concerted research and innovation initiatives. They are a key implementation tool of Horizon Europe and contribute significantly to achieving the EU’s political priorities.

Learn more about the new European Partnerships on the dedicated webpage of the European Commission and in this infographic. A factsheet on the Food Systems Partnership to which TP Organics contributed as well will soon be available.

How will the Partnership achieve its ambition?
The partnership will achieve its ambition to coordinate, align and leverage European and national R&I efforts on future-proof food systems through five interconnected activities:

  1. Joint funding of R&I for food systems transformation;
  2. Launching a food systems observatory;
  3. Establishing a food systems knowledge hub;
  4. Learning from initiatives in the SFSS and beyond in the knowledge hub; and
  5. Knowledge transfer and competence building/education including scientific advice for policymaking.

The possible governance structure foresees a collaboration partners platform, which will include representatives of diverse civil society and other stakeholder groups.

TP Organics’ role in the Partnership
TP Organics is part of the development of the partnership and co-author of the template (a first “business plan”), which is currently being drafted by the core group. It will serve as the basis for the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and will be circulated for comments in September. Moreover, a workshop will be organised at the end of September, bringing together various stakeholders, so stay tuned!

TP Organics is the European Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming. IFOAM Organics Europe is a founding member and hosts its secretariat. Visit www.tporganics.eu for more information and follow its Twitter @TPorganics.

This is co-financed by the LIFE programme of the European Union, under the under the Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). It only reflects the views of the authors and its sole responsibility lies with IFOAM Organics Europe. CINEA is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information provided.

 
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