Agroecology in Europe: Research, Education, Collective Action Networks, and Alternative Food Systems

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.Since the term 'agroecology' was first used in 1928 [1], its meaning has evolved and expanded, keeping pace as institutional understanding of agriculture has become more and more sophisticated [2]. Though initially a purely scientific discipline, agroecology has also come to mean a set of more ecologically sound agricultural practices and also a movement that incorporates food sovereignty, social justice, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge.The term 'agroecology' can also take different meanings in different parts of the world [2], and even within Europe, different countries have their own meaning of 'agroecology' according to their own national contexts. For example, in Germany, agroecology stays mainly true to its pure scientific roots and largely operates within the realms of plant sciences, ecology and zoology, while in Italy it is much closer connected to the organic farming movement [3]. In France, there exists a substantial representation from both the practice and science sides of agroecology, though the movement is present as well. Historically throughout Europe, there has been a pattern of science and practitioners largely operating within their own realms [4], and more recently social movements in agroecology have developed as well, e.g., the Europe...

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