Developing a European Agroecology Learning and Training Network Final Version - January 6, 2017

Developing a European Agroecology Learning and Training Network Final Version - January 6, 2017 ing Document Workshop at Monkton Wyld Court, in the UK, location of agroecology training centre called Landbase. Brief Introduction: Learning, education and knowledge Initial Research Findings sharing are central process that can support the At a glance expansion of the practical and political aspects of agroecology, the autonomy of food producers and the Our action research intends to better pursuit of food sovereignty in Europe. understand the dynamics of agroecology learning in training in In order to amplify agroecology in Europe, we need to different places and to uncover the strengthen the network of training and learning opportunities and barriers for the initiatives to pool resources and develop a coherent and further development of agroecology. coordinated education and development strategy. The Our main findings, detailed in this European Coordination of Via Campesina (ECVC) is brief were that agroecology learning: working with partner organisations and networks to link (see pages 7-10 for full details): up agroecology learning initiatives to develop a European Agroecology Learning and Training Network. § Focuses on horizontal learning approaches As a first step, we connected with and 20 people § Amplifies the dynamic links involved in European agroecology training and learning. between political and practical Among other things, we asked participants how the learning network could help with their work. Ideas included: § Should consider the specificity • Mutual exchange of experience of place and differences • Joint funding applications and resource sharing between regional and national • Organizational and administrative support context • A forum for sharing resources and knowledge § Builds local, regional and global • Facilitation of farmer-to-farmer exchanges networks for mutual support • Campaigning to change policy and resourcing The action research project that forms th e basis of this brief is co-produced by the European Coordination of Via Campesina (ECVC) and the Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience (CAWR) at Coventry University. This brief was written by Chris Maughan and Colin Anderson from CAWR and Marion Vizy from ECVC. Support and advice provided by Rupert Dunn, Ivan Mammana, Jyoti Fernandez, Julien Reynier and Michel Pimbert and members of the transitional steering committee for the European Agroecology Learning and Training Network. Questions and comments can be sent to: [email protected] and to [email protected] For more information please visit: www.eurovia.org and www.peoplesknowledge.org 1 Introduction: Agroecology Training and Learning – Agroecology learning reflects the vision of Global Movement – European Articulation agroecology outlined in the Declaration of the International Forum on Agroecology. Agroecology is emerging as the most important agriculture and food development paradigm in Europe, promoted by farmer organisations and social movements around the world. Agroecology is being taken up around the globe as an approach that can address many of the environmental, social, political and economic problems of industrial agriculture, and especially to transfer control away from corporations and into the hands of food producers and citizens. “Our diverse forms of smallholder food production based on Agroecology generate local knowledge, promote social justice, nurture identity and culture, and strengthen the economic viability of rural areas. As smallholders we defend our dignity when we choose to produce in an agroecological way.” - International Forum on Agroecology. The members of the European Coordination Via Campesina defined Agroecology from a European perspective in 2014: “We understand agroecology as a process of individual and collective transformation, above and beyond specific agroecological techniques and practices.” Learning, education and knowledge exchange have been “The diverse knowledge and ways of central to the agroecology framework – reflecting a knowing of our peoples are fundamental commitment to horizontal learning, diálogo de saberes to Agroecology. We develop our ways of (wisdom dialogues or dialogues of knowledges) and popular knowing through dialogue among them education. There are many exciting approaches and models (diálogo de saberes). Our learning for these horizontal learning institutions in the Global South, processes are horizontal and peer-to- but there is less understanding about what is happening in peer, based on popular education. They European territories and countries and a need to support civil take place in our own training centers society popular education, learning and training initiatives. and territories (farmers teach farmers, How can these grassroots educational initiatives be fishers teach fishers, etc.), and are also connected up and strengthened to advance agroecology, food intergenerational, with exchange of sovereignty and the autonomy of food producers in Europe? knowledge between youth and elders. What are the most promising education approaches and Agroecology is developed through our initiatives, what are the barriers, where are the gaps, and own innovation, research, and crop and how we can work together? How can we position ourselves to livestock selection and breeding.” mobilize resources through mainstream institutions and funders (e.g. the E.U.) to support agroecology? ECVC and allies are thus convening this network to address these questions and to advance agroecology and food sovereignty in Europe through bottom-up forms of education and learning. International Forum for Agroecology, Mali. 2015. Farmer-to-farmer learning in France. 2 Establishing the European Network: Phase I The goal of this work is to develop a European Agroecology Learning and Training network. In the first or ‘transitional phase’ (July 2016 to July 2017), we implemented a process that brings together some of the protagonists in grassroots agroecology training and learning from across Europe to develop a network. This first phase included preliminary outreach and research, an in- person gathering of approximately 150 people and at Nyéléni Europe (Cluj, Romania 2016), the formalization of the network and the development of a plan to implement a broad program that will enable: exchange of experience, funding bids and political work to European meeting on agroecology and research. strengthen farmer autonomy, food sovereignty and social movements. The objectives of this transitional phase were to: § Gain a better understanding of the common barriers and obstacles as well of the common opportunities across Europe to identify opportunities for collective responses and joint projects through the European Agroecology Learning and Training Network. § Start to develop a European wide map and database of the most relevant agroecology training initiatives in each country. § Establish a formal network and governing structure for a European Agroecology Learning and Training Network to increase capacity for the exchange of best practices, international skill- sharing, collective political action and large funding bids. § Apply for funds to support the network and the national and territorial training initiatives. § Make connections between the European Region and the Global Agroecology Learning and Training Networks of LVC In the transitional phase, spoke to 20 different representatives from agroecology initiatives in Europe and started an initial map of grassroots agroecology learning initiatives (see p. 10) These interviews have been analyzed to pull out key learnings, themes and common challenges and opportunities. A summary of these are included at the end of this brief (pages 7-10). We are also coordinating a series of events and projects over the next year (see timeline below) and are now working to develop the governance of this emerging network and to invite participation. Timeline – Year 1 La Via Campesina Initial outreach and Nyeleni Europe FAO European European network Meeting in the research Meeting (Cluj) Meeting (Budapest) meeting (U.K.) Basque Country July-October (2016) October (2016) November (2016) February (2017) July (2017) • Establish transitional • Meet in-person with • Present case for • Exchange of experiences • Organize side-event steering group agroecology training grassroots and • Potential grant writing for regional • Contact 20 European organizers horizontal learning and and project Agroecology Training agroecology initiatives and • Discuss and plan network training. development networks to exchange interview by phone • Develop project ideas • Seek funding • Curriculum and resource experience and to • Invite participants to • Determine governance opportunities development showcase agroecology Nyeleni structure learning through • Develop research brief videos and exhibits. 3 Nyeleni Europe Meeting We organised a meeting at the Nyeleni Europe Forum for Food Sovereignty to develop the network in Cluj-Napoca, Romania in October 2017. Many of the people we interviewed attended the meeting, which included the involvement of approximately 150 people over 3 iterative workshops. One important outcome of the meeting was the identification of working areas as a mechanism to identify and carry forward actions. The working areas identified were as follows: Working area Actions 1. Appropriate • Apply for funding for translating existing resources technologies and • Establish a website – a ‘database of databases’ techniques 2. Political

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