This article outlines the main conclusions from Chapter 6 of the FOSTER deliverable, which addresses R&I policy support options for furthering food systems science at national, regional and local level in the EU. You can access the complete deliverable on the FOSTER website here.
The chapter titled “Governance and Policy Towards FOKIS” asserts that the shift from AKIS to FOKIS is a crucial step in advancing the transformation of food systems. This evolution demands not only technological improvements but also comprehensive structural changes and the meaningful inclusion of a broader range of knowledge contributors. By reconfiguring knowledge and innovation systems to be more integrated, equitable, and systemic, we can support the development of a food future that is sustainable, fair, and resilient.
Imagine the entire process that brings food from farms to our tables as a big system called AKIS-the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System. Right now, AKIS mostly connects farmers, researchers, and businesses, helping them share knowledge and new ideas about agriculture. This system is important for making farming more effective, sustainable, and competitive, especially in Europe, where each country has its own AKIS network involving farmers, advisors, researchers, agribusinesses, and government agencies.
However, if we want our food system to be truly sustainable, fair, and able to handle future challenges, experts say we need to move beyond AKIS and create something broader: a Food-Oriented Knowledge and Innovation System, or FOKIS. FOKIS would include everyone involved in the food system-not just the usual players like farmers and scientists, but also people whose voices are often left out, such as food workers, local communities, people of color, immigrants, and those with lower incomes.
Currently, the way food systems are managed often leaves out important perspectives and types of knowledge. Rules and decision-making processes can be disconnected, making it hard to solve big problems like food insecurity, climate change, and inequality. To fix this, FOKIS would connect science, government policies, and real-world experiences in new ways. It would encourage collaboration across different sectors and levels of society, making sure that everyone’s knowledge and needs are considered.
A key part of FOKIS is breaking down barriers between groups. For example, community-driven initiatives (CDIs) are groups working to make positive changes in the food system, such as promoting local food, supporting small farmers, or advancing sustainable practices. But these groups often struggle to get funding or have a say in how things are run, because existing power structures favor large businesses and established institutions. Strengthening the links between CDIs, government, and researchers is essential for making real progress.
FOKIS also calls for a new approach to policy. Instead of top-down decisions, where a few people make the rules, FOKIS supports more inclusive decision-making. This means involving people at all levels-local, regional, and national-and valuing different kinds of expertise, from academic research to hands-on farming experience. Policies should be flexible, open to learning, and focused on long-term solutions that benefit everyone, not just a select few.
Another challenge is the narrow way food innovation is often viewed. Right now, innovation tends to focus on producing more food or making farming more efficient. While these are important goals, FOKIS argues that we also need to think about healthy farming practices, local food systems, and the social and environmental impacts of our choices. For example, agroecology-farming that works with nature rather than against it-should be part of the conversation. So should the global impact of European food choices, ensuring they don’t harm people in poorer countries.
FOKIS emphasizes fairness. It’s not enough to simply invite more people to the table; we must also address power imbalances that keep some voices from being heard. This means listening to those who have practical knowledge about sustainable farming, as well as people who face food insecurity, including immigrants, indigenous groups, and low-income communities. Past efforts to make the food system more inclusive have often failed because they didn’t value these perspectives or give them real influence.
The European Union has policies that encourage broader participation, but more needs to be done. Research and innovation should be used in practical ways that help everyone, not just businesses or governments. CDIs, like those in the FOSTER project, are already working to build a more inclusive food system by sharing knowledge and skills with people who are often left out. They face challenges such as working across borders, dealing with power imbalances, and being recognized by government agencies. Their connections with large technology, media, and finance companies are limited, showing a gap between grassroots efforts and powerful industries-a gap that needs to be closed.
So, what would a successful FOKIS look like? It would treat the food system as a connected web, valuing all types of knowledge from cities to farms. Government policies would be joined up at every level, focused on a clear vision for the future, and able to adapt as new challenges arise. Fairness would be central, with efforts to fix power imbalances and ensure everyone can participate. Strong networks would bring together people with different views to find common ground and work toward change.
The current food system, dominated by big business and long-standing ways of doing things, is under pressure to change. In the past, there was hope that we could balance making money with protecting the environment, but this hasn’t solved major problems because it ignored the limits of natural resources. Now, there’s a growing realization that we need more than just small fixes-we need to rethink the basic rules and who gets to make decisions.
Real transformation means focusing on people and their ability to drive change, not just fitting them into existing systems. The EU should listen to what marginalized groups need to truly change the system, rather than just making minor improvements. Moving toward a food system that is environmentally friendly and fair will require effort, adaptability, and cooperation across all levels of society.
By putting these ideas into practice, Europe can create a food system that is not only more sustainable, but also more resilient, democratic, and inclusive for future generations.