Multi-Actor Workshops Unveil Key Strategies for Strengthening Short Food Supply Chains
A series of multi-actor workshops (MAWs) held in Hungary, the Netherlands, Spain, and Ireland have provided valuable insights into strategies for strengthening Short Food Supply Chains (SFSCs) within Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS). These workshops, which brought together farmers, policymakers, researchers, and community members, highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of advancing SFSC initiatives.
A key takeaway was the strong link between SFSC development and community engagement. Participants emphasized that collaboration and grassroots involvement are crucial for success. There was a clear consensus that: increasing SFSC recognition within AKIS and raising public awareness are essential steps toward securing institutional support and creating favorable conditions for SFSCs to thrive.
The Role of Capacity Building and Policy Support
The future of SFSCs depends heavily on capacity-building initiatives. Education, training, and knowledge-sharing programs are critical for closing information gaps and equipping farmers and businesses with the skills needed to adopt and expand SFSC practices. However, policy support remains a decisive factor in determining their success. Workshop discussions underscored the need for policy reforms that integrate SFSCs into national agricultural strategies, ensuring fair regulations and incentives that encourage their growth.
Financial stability also emerged as a key concern. Many SFSC initiatives struggle to access funding, limiting their ability to scale up. Sustainable financial resources are essential not only for their survival but also for fostering long-term self-sufficiency.
Overcoming Barriers to SFSC Growth
Despite their potential, SFSCs face significant barriers that restrict their growth. Current agricultural policies often favor large-scale, export-driven production, sidelining localized food systems. The lack of formal recognition for SFSCs makes it difficult for them to secure institutional backing, while limited access to funding remains a major challenge. Additionally, knowledge gaps within the SFSC sector highlight the need for specialized advisors, training programs, and platforms that facilitate knowledge exchange.
Small-scale farmers, in particular, struggle with land acquisition for SFSC projects. Addressing this issue through land access reforms and targeted support programs is crucial for leveling the playing field.
A Coordinated Approach for a Resilient Future
To unlock the full potential of SFSCs, a comprehensive and well-coordinated approach is needed. Policy reforms, financial support, advisor training, and stronger collaboration among AKIS stakeholders will help create a more supportive environment for SFSC initiatives. Success will depend on fostering strong networks, raising public awareness, supporting policy improvements, and investing in education.
By committing to these efforts, countries can establish resilient, fair, and sustainable food systems that support local economies and enhance environmental well-being.
SFSC Advisors
Are you helping farmers and producers to sell their things directly, to improve their bargaining power or position in the value chain, or to transition to more socially and environmentally production systems?
Now is your chance to join the first-ever European advisory network focused on short food supply chains (SFSCs), established through the Horizon Europe projects COREnet and EU4Advice, which ultimate aim is to enhance the sustainability, competitiveness and visibility of European short food supply chains. A key step to pursue this goal, is to enhance the connections between SFSC actors in Europe, the capacity building and the knowledge sharing between advisors, producers, researchers and policy-makers.
This platform will connect you to a wide community of experts and advisors related to SFSC and support effective exchange of knowledge and solutions among advisors and other food system stakeholders, through access to training materials, thematic workshops, collaborative knowledge-sharing sessions, and networking activities. Additionally, you will be listed in a public database of SFSC advisors, giving you visibility as a trusted resource in the SFSC field. Moreover, your participation will also play a role in shaping policy recommendations at the EU level that support the development of the SFSC sector.
Your involvement in the network and related activities is entirely voluntary, and you will at all times have flexibility in choosing how to participate. To register in this Network, please fill in this questionnaire.
