INTERREG-SUDOE Atlas Project: Support for rural agri-food third places in the SUDOE area

The SUDOE region is characterized, on the one hand, by rural and inland areas experiencing population decline and struggling to maintain jobs and services, and on the other hand, by densely populated urban centers and peripheral coastal areas where activities and jobs are concentrated. These areas involve a wide variety of groups in agroecological production and sustainable food systems, and promote a range of innovations by and for everyone. By promoting "learning by doing" and participatory processes, they help strengthen social bonds, empower communities, and attract talent. By fostering entrepreneurship, the creation of shared tools, and collaborations, they act as a catalyst for economic development and employment. By integrating the challenges of food sovereignty, they have a positive impact on the local food system.

We will create a resource center for project organizers and local authorities, which will include a public policy inventory, a mapped directory, and a document database. We will design and test innovative public intervention and support mechanisms to foster the emergence and consolidation of initiatives. We will organize consultation sessions to identify needs at key stages of project development and formulate recommendations to strengthen policies supporting agri-food third areas. The results will be evaluated and leveraged so they can be transferred to other rural areas. Our consortium consists of eight partners (three in France, three in Spain, and two in Portugal). Our pilot projects are located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Occitanie, Extremadura, Andalusia, Cantabria, and Alentejo. Transnational cooperation will allow us to expand our sources of inspiration, learn from leading experiences, and gain recognition for agri-food third areas on a large scale.