“We need to strengthen the systems approach to Research and Innovation (R&I) in order to help policy and decision makers to foster the transformation of EU food systems, in line with societies’ needs. A better understanding of key interactions between a multitude of actors, government levels and processes (production, consumption, distribution) generated by such an approach and involving stakeholders is crucial to delivery of transformation.”
This the key message from the recently published Policy Brief, written by FIT4FOOD2030 EU Think Tank.
In order to tackle the challenges facing the food system and deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Climate Agreement, it is essential to make food systems ‘future-proof’, meaning resilient, sustainable, responsible, diverse, competitive and inclusive. The food system, however, is complex; and to transform complex systems, one has to fully understand the technological, political, economic and social dynamics that shape the food system and to identify the leverage points where intervention will be most effective. The identification of these points necessitates a systemic approach in which multiple actors, governance levels and policy fields are taken into account.
The current Policy Brief addresses the question to what extent R&I can be an effective leverage point and stimulate food system transformation, and presents a set of recommendations towards a R&I framework that is indeed ‘fit 4 food 2030’.
The full report (published October 2018) can be accessed here.
Meet the FIT4FOOD2030 EU Think Tank members here.