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

Alexander Wezel, Julia Goette, Elisabeth Lagneaux, Gloria Passuello, Erica Reisman, Christophe Rodier and Grégoire Turpin
Additional contact information
Alexander Wezel: ISARA Lyon, Department of Agroecology and Environment, 23 rue Jean Baldassini, 69364 Lyon, France
Julia Goette: ISARA Lyon, Department of Agroecology and Environment, 23 rue Jean Baldassini, 69364 Lyon, France
Elisabeth Lagneaux: ISARA Lyon, Department of Agroecology and Environment, 23 rue Jean Baldassini, 69364 Lyon, France
Gloria Passuello: ISARA Lyon, Department of Agroecology and Environment, 23 rue Jean Baldassini, 69364 Lyon, France
Erica Reisman: ISARA Lyon, Department of Agroecology and Environment, 23 rue Jean Baldassini, 69364 Lyon, France
Christophe Rodier: ISARA Lyon, Department of Agroecology and Environment, 23 rue Jean Baldassini, 69364 Lyon, France
Grégoire Turpin: ISARA Lyon, Department of Agroecology and Environment, 23 rue Jean Baldassini, 69364 Lyon, France

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 4, 1-18

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.

Keywords: agroecological; agroecology movement; agricultural policy; European agriculture; sustainable agriculture and food systems; teaching and training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

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