Participatory processes and their influence in the food transition
Participatory processes enable different perspectives and interests to be given a voice. In spring 2022, four FIAN European sections (Belgium, Austria, Sweden and Portugal) together with the international Secretariat and the organisation Observatori Desc, launched a mapping exercise to explore examples of participatory processes that promote sustainable food systems.
Together with our project partners, we are exploring different strategies, initiatives or processes in which civil society actors and citizens work together with public administration decision makers in Spain, Austria, Sweden, Portugal, Germany and Belgium.
Meeting in Vienna
After a first year of methodological development and research, this event aimed to assess how local participatory food policies are put in place and analyze successful factors across Europe.
The Food Council Vienna participated in this meeting to bring their own experience and intiative to develop a logistic hub connecting producers and eaters in short supply chains.
During these days, we discussed different food-related policy spaces and strategies in different cities across the 5 countries as well as implemented measures, such as the free school lunch in Sweden or the Wallonian food strategy Manger Demain, aiming to create a network of Food Policy Council articulated across its territory. We also analysed how right-holders are selected and represented in these different decision-making spaces that guarantee democratic and legitimate policy-making. criti
For Belgium, FIAN researched ten initiatives and projects covering the three regions of Wallonia, Bruxelles and Flanders and envisioned a transition towards a new vision of food systems that embeds food sovereignity principles and a right based approach.
Willing to participate ?
Are you involved in a project or do you know of an initiative in civil society to act together with politicians on food issues at local level ? If so, write to us by the end of May !
The selected cases will be used as examples in our EU Rights-Based Local Sustainable Food System Atlas, which will be published in spring 2024. In total, 60 cases will be presented here that strengthen sustainable food systems and also food sovereignty.
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