Horizonte Europa Aeterakis Project: A territorialized framework of agricultural knowledge and innovation systems for agroecological transitions
- Type Project
- Status Firmado
- Execution 2025 -2027
- Assigned Budget 206.641,2 €
- Scope Europeo
- Main source of financing Horizonte Europa 2021-2027
- Project website Proyecto AETERAKIS
Climate change and environmental degradation have generated growing concern about European food systems, particularly their sustainability, their ability to provide healthy and sustainable food, and their socioeconomic status. Unfortunately, despite the positive impact of transitions to organic farming, along with territorial and agroecological approaches, the lack of adequate support and knowledge for their implementation makes them difficult and financially risky.
With support from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the AETERAKIS project seeks to develop an innovative Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) to support the transition to organic farming. The AKIS framework will be based on territorial agroecological transitions and will be rigorously tested and validated. In this way, the project seeks to promote the EU's green goals for sustainable food systems.
The methodology applied will assess the patterns, connections, and gaps between AKIS's territorial infrastructure for organic farmers and the necessary support for agroecological farming practices and innovation, using a robust conceptual and analytical framework and participatory action research through an advisory team and local collaborator groups.
European food systems face sustainability challenges related to environmental degradation, sustainable access to nutritious and healthy food, and equitable socioeconomic development. Greater adoption of organic agriculture positively influences these systems, especially when framed within a territorialized agroecological approach that emphasizes the use of local resources and ecosystem services. Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) can support this transition.
However, mission-oriented AKISs supporting knowledge-intensive agricultural methods and territorial development are recent and poorly implemented, presenting barriers for specific farmer groups, especially agroecologically oriented organic farmers. The proposed project aims to develop a transformative and territorialized AKIS framework for agroecological transitions, utilizing a transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach incorporating a hybrid Actor-Network Theory/Social Network Analysis methodology in four Spanish case studies involving theoretical, empirical, and practical validation.
The methodology applied will assess the patterns, connections, and gaps between the AKIS territorial infrastructure for organic farmers and the support required for agroecology- and innovation-oriented farming practices using a robust conceptual and analytical framework and participatory action research through an advisory team and groups of local collaborators. The knowledge gained from this project will be used to develop strategies to promote the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU Missions on Sustainable Food Systems. The fellow will acquire new research skills and build and maintain research networks, advancing her career in food policy and governance consulting and research.
Combining prior knowledge with acquired experience, you will develop an innovative interdisciplinary and multilevel approach to studying food systems and policies, contributing to evidence-based policymaking grounded in mission-oriented knowledge systems.
The knowledge gained from this project will be used to develop strategies that promote the objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU's Sustainable Food Systems Missions.
- AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS (CSIC)
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