Abstract
Agroecology is considered with different focus and weight in different parts of the world as a social and political movement, as science, and as practice. Despite its multitude of definitions, agroecology has begun in Europe to develop in different regional, national and continental networks of researchers, practitioners, advocates and movements. However, there is a lack of a comprehensive overview about these different developments and networks. Therefore, this paper attempts to document and provide a mapping of the development of European agroecology in its diverse forms. Through a literature review, interviews, active conference participation, and an extensive internet search we have collected information about the current state and development of agroecology in Europe. Agroecological research and higher education exist more in western and northern Europe, but farm schools and farmer-to-farmer training are also present in other regions. Today a large variety of topics are studied at research institutions. There is an increasing number of bottom-up agroecological initiatives and national or continental networks and movements. Important movements are around food sovereignty, access to land and seeds. Except for France, there are very few concrete policies for agroecology in Europe. Agroecology is increasingly linked to different fields of agri-food systems. This includes Community Supported Agriculture systems, but also agroecological territories, and some examples of labelling products. To amplify agroecology in Europe in the coming years, policy development will be crucial and proponents of agroecology must join forces and work hand-in-hand with the many stakeholders engaged in initiatives to develop more sustainable agriculture and food systems.
Highlights
The search for sustainable development of agriculture and of food systems is currently being prioritized in many parts of the world
The NGOs and movements that were included were identified with the participants to the Agroecology Europe Forum and by a keyword research on European organisations working on ‘agroecology’, ‘food sovereignty’, ‘community supported agriculture’, ‘network’, ‘land access’, and ‘urban agriculture’
The agroecological literature found by [4] slants strongly towards the agronomy side of agroecology, but there are other research initiatives looking at the other sides, such as rural development, knowledge systems and transition to agroecology
Summary
The search for sustainable development of agriculture and of food systems is currently being prioritized in many parts of the world. In this paper we refer to the definition given by the Association of Agroecology Europe (www.agroecology-europe.org): ‘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 gives priority to action research, holistic and participatory approaches, and transdisciplinarity including 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, and solutions that provide multiple benefits (environmental, economic, social) from local to global. We attempt to do this by researching how agroecology exists in Europe and synthesising this information by analysing research institutions, research topics, education and training programmes, social movements and networks, policies, and major agri-food system-related agroecology topics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
