Disseminating agroecological principles and practices for restoring biodiversity and enhancing climate adaptation and mitigation

Introduction

Agroecology Europe (AEEU) aims to analyse, design, develop and promote the transition towards agroecology-based farming and food systems in Europe and throughout the world. It intends to place agroecology high on the European agenda of sustainable development of farming and food systems.

Acknowledgment

AEEU is very grateful to the European Commission for having offered a LIFE grant supporting us in the promotion of Agroecology across Europe and enhancing stakeholder engagement, knowledge creation and sharing.

Project Ambition

The ambition of this project is to promote the merits of agroecology and agroecological principles and practices, currently rather dispersed and heterogeneous in Europe, to:

1. European decision-makers
2. Public opinion
3. Especially to the youth

This project also aims to further amplify the development of agroecology in Europe, providing knowledge, methods, and experiences to foster interactions between:

• EU decision-makers
• European NGOs
• Scientists
• Universities
• Research institutes
• Farmers
• Social movements
• Citizens
• Young people

This collaboration is essential to create the needed building blocks ensuring transition toward consistent EU agricultural, environmental, and food policies.

Impact on Nature and Biodiversity

Agroecological principles and practices have a direct impact on nature and biodiversity and climate mitigation and adaptation by:

• Restoring soil life
• Improving organic matter management
• Sequestering carbon in soils
• Developing ecological networks through the redesign of farming and food systems in Europe

Scaling Up Agroecology

While agroecology is context-specific and based on bottom-up approaches, AEEU is convinced that scaling up and out of agroecology is possible. The framework for these transition processes goes through:

• Vertically scaling up with European and national institutions to develop better EU legislation
• Horizontally engaging a diversity of stakeholders to ensure solid implementation of the EU framework across Europe.