Short food supply chains (SFSC) are a means for both producers and consumers to gain better positions in the value chain, improving trust, transparency, food quality and safety. The EU-funded EU4Advice project aims to bolster SFSC-related advisory services to chain actors, to help them make their practices more economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.
Core activities
The main objective of EU4Advice project is to settle the foundations and structures required to ensure effective capacity building of Short Food Supply Chains (SFSC) actors through fluent knowledge transfer. Applying the principles of the interactive innovation model, EU4Advice project aims to boost the role of advisors as catalysers of the knowledge flow from research to practice, through the creation of an EU network of advisors with knowledge and expertise on SFSC issues, and the implementation of measures towards the effective integration of SFSC advisors into national Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).
Major outputs
The project’s main objective is to understand how to integrate SFSC advisors into AKIS all across Europe. EU4Advice does this by creating educational tools and policy recommendations for advisors, policymakers, and other actors across the supply chain. These efforts focus on addressing the challenges associated with the SFSC regulatory framework, promoting adaptation, and fostering harmonization.
Associated activities
At the core of the EU4Advice methodological framework, four Living Labs has been established across Europe:
- in Spain,
- in the Netherlands,
- in Ireland,
- in Hungary.
The Living Labs function as a testing ground for innovative ideas and materials, including educational tools developed within the project. The ultimate aim is to understand how to effectively integrate SFSC advisors into Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).