AETERAKIS · A territorialised Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems framework for agroecological transitions

European food systems face sustainability challenges related to environmental degradation, nutritious and healthy sustainable food access, and just socio-economic development. Increased organic farming adoption positively influences these systems, especially when framed under a territorialised agroecological approach that emphasises local resource use and ecosystem services. Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) can support this transition. However, mission-oriented AKIS supporting knowledge-intensive farming methods and territorial development are recent and poorly implemented, presenting barriers for specific farming groups, especially agroecology-oriented organic farmers. The proposed project aims to develop a transformative and territorialised AKIS framework for agroecological transitions, using a transdisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach incorporating a hybrid Actor-Network Theory/Social Network Analysis methodology in four Spanish case studies involving theoretical, empirical, and practical validation. The applied methodology will assess the patterns, connections, and gaps between territorial AKIS infrastructure for organic farmers and the support required for agroecological-oriented farming practices and innovation using a robust conceptual and analytical framework and participatory-action research through an advisory team and local collaborator groups. The knowledge obtained in this project will be used to develop strategies to promote the objectives of the European Green Deal and EU Missions concerning sustainable food systems. The Fellow will gain new research skills and build and maintain research networks, advancing her food governance and policy research and consultancy career. Combining prior knowledge with acquired expertise, she will develop an innovative interdisciplinary and multilevel approach to studying food systems and policy, contributing to evidence-informed policymaking based on mission-oriented knowledge systems.