@article{MTMT:33964650, title = {Advancing the Contributions of European Stakeholders in Farming Systems to Transitions to Agroecology}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/33964650}, author = {Zawalinska, Katarzyna and Smyrniotopoulou, Alexandra and Balázs, Katalin and Boehm, Michael and Chitea, Mihai and Florian, Violeta and Fratila, Mihaela and Gradziuk, Piotr and Henderson, Stuart and Irvine, Katherine and Konstantidelli, Vasilia and Krupin, Vitaliy and Latruffe, Laure and Miksyte, Elvyra and Miller, David and Monteleone, Daniel and Polaschegg, Marcus and Schwarz, Gerald and Tzanopoulos, Joseph and Tzouramani, Irene and Vlahos, George and Wojciechowska, Adrianna}, doi = {10.1111/1746-692X.12378}, journal-iso = {EUROCHOICES}, journal = {EUROCHOICES}, volume = {21}, unique-id = {33964650}, issn = {1478-0917}, abstract = {The concept of a 'just transition' is gaining traction in international policy discourses. It has particular significance in relation to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions and the need for ensuring rights and responsibilities of all actors in transitions to agroecological farming systems. Research plays an important role in accompanying this transformation. It explores pathways for more sustainable and fair food systems, barriers to them being achieved, and where and what risks arise for communities of interest and of place. Researchers and practitioners across levels and sectors were brought together in H2020 projects LIFT and UNISECO using processes of stakeholder engagement. Both projects analysed the perceptions of actors towards agroecological farming, and their active involvement in the transitions required. This article summarises lessons learnt regarding multi-actor engagement in different participatory settings in both projects, including a Multi-Actor Platform approach, Q method, DELPHI and Hybrid forum workshops. The interactions involved several hundred actors from 18 countries across Europe. The article reflects on implications of the Covid-19 pandemic on the processes and effectiveness of multi-actor engagement, and assessments of the impacts on the empowerment of the actors. The findings are contextualised by contemporary European Union and national policy objectives of tackling climate change, the loss of biodiversity, and inequalities.}, year = {2022}, eissn = {1746-692X}, pages = {50-63}, orcid-numbers = {Zawalinska, Katarzyna/0000-0003-2185-7778; Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880; Gradziuk, Piotr/0000-0003-0825-6281; Krupin, Vitaliy/0000-0002-7388-6813; Wojciechowska, Adrianna/0000-0002-6352-8609} } @misc{MTMT:32680302, title = {Initiating agro-ecological transitions: Taking steps toward sustainable resource management to increase economic viability in mid-sized arable grain-proteinoil cropping farms in Hungary. Paper presented at the 179TH EAAE SEMINAR on 10 SEPTEMBER, 2021 | CHANIA, CRETE, GREECE}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/32680302}, author = {Balázs, Katalin and Szilágyi, Alfréd János and Podmaniczky, László}, unique-id = {32680302}, abstract = {Biophysical conditions for crop production in Hungary are generally considered to be good. However, extreme weather events, water shortage during the growing season, climate adaptation and, in particular, deterioration of soils poses increasing environmental challenges to farmers. In Hungary the deterioration of soils is an outstanding environmental challenge, therefore adopting soil conservation farming practices are considered as a first step for market oriented arable farming systems towards transition to agroecological farming systems. We mapped stakeholders and assessed the context of information, materialand knowledge flows, as well as the practice and policy aspects of soil conservation farming. As a result of the multi-actor platform stakeholder engagements first steps have been taken in collecting views on the barriers and needs for change to promote the transition of soil conservation farming practices. Innovative design changes to existing rural development measures have the potential to successfully promote transitions to soil conservation farming if accompanied by measures of research and advisory development, raising public awareness and demand for crops produced this way. The EU the environmental and climatic expectations are expected to increase in the next cycle of the CAP, therefore the topic of soil conservation farming is justified to be a priority and requires to get prepared for the development of appropriate interventions in the national CAP Strategic Plan. Acknowledgements: UNISECO (‘Understanding and Improving the Sustainability of Agro-Ecological Farming Systems in the EU’) has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 773901}, year = {2021}, orcid-numbers = {Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880} } @misc{MTMT:32680277, title = {Addressing barriers of agroecological transitions in European farming systems: Lessons and experiences from multi-actor engagement in 15 case studies. Virtual Paper presented online on 10 April 2021 at the American Association of Geographers}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/32680277}, author = {Gerald, Schwarz and Jaroslav, Prazan and Johannes, Carolus and Balázs, Katalin and Szilágyi, Alfréd János and Podmaniczky, László and Marta, Mrnusík-Konečná and Jan, Landert and Francesco, Vanni and Francesco, Galioto and Oriana, Gava and Davide, Longhitano and Andrea, Povellato and Letizia, Rossignolo and Alexandra, Smyrniotopoulou and George, Vlahos and David, Miller and Fabrizio, Albanito and Carol, Kyle and Katherine, N. Irvine and Pete, Smith and Rainer, Weisshaidinger and Ruth, Bartel-Kratochvil and Alexander, Hollaus and Emmanuel, Guisepelli and Philippe, Fleury and Audrey, Vincent and Andis, Zilans and Kristina, Veidemane and Gražvydas, Jegelevičius and Elvyra, Myškyté and Justas, Gulbinas and Catherine, Pfeifer and Rebekka, Frick and Adrian, Mueller and Richard, Bircher and Janne, Helin and David, Huisman Dellago and Jarkko, Pyysiäinen and Pasi, Rikkonen and Kajsa, Resare Sahlin and Elin, Röös and Uxue, Iragui Yoldi and Alba, Linares Quero and Carlos, Astrain Massa and Mara, Caracu and Mihaela, Fratila and Jakub, Kučera and Andrea, Hrabalova and Daniel, Monteleone and Alice, Budniok}, unique-id = {32680277}, abstract = {With the challenge of respecting the planetary boundaries while sustaining the food supply for a constantly growing global population, agroecological practices have recently gained more attention. Despite the increased awareness of the necessity of implementing agroecological practices, transitions towards diversified agroecological systems remain slow. Using multi-actor platforms the UNISECO project aims to enhance the understanding of socio-economic and policy drivers and barriers for development and implementation of agroecological approaches, cognisant of roles of different types of actors. Based on a social-ecological system assessment carried out in 15 European case studies covering arable, perennial and livestock farming systems, the paper will analyse how barriers of agroecological transitions have been overcome or why in other cases the farming system was locked in the status quo and transitions could not be initiated. Through the engagement of multi-actor platforms in each of the case studies pathways for further transition to agroecological farming are co-constructed. Common goals of the different actors involved in agroecological transitions are explored, drivers and barriers are identified that have the potential to be addressed to progress with or initiate transitions, and roles and responsibilities of the different actors are recognised as a basis to co-construct strategies for future transitions addressing the case study specific contexts. The paper pays particular attention to multi-actor group learning and co-creation of knowledge to encourage the involvement of farmers and other value chain actors in agroecological transitions. The UNISECO project is funded by EUs Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 773901.}, year = {2021}, orcid-numbers = {Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880} } @misc{MTMT:32680254, title = {Initiating agro-ecological transitions: Taking steps toward sustainable resource management to increase economic viability in mid-sized arable grain-protein-oil cropping farms in Hungary. Virtual Paper presented online on 10 April 2021 at the American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/32680254}, author = {Balázs, Katalin and Szilágyi, Alfréd János and Podmaniczky, László}, unique-id = {32680254}, abstract = {Biophysical conditions for crop production in Hungary are generally considered to be good. However, extreme weather events, water shortage during the growing season, climate adaptation and, in particular, deterioration of soils poses increasing environmental challenges to farmers. In Hungary the deterioration of soils is an outstanding environmental challenge, therefore adopting soil conservation farming practices are considered as a first step for market oriented arable farming systems towards transition to agro-ecological farming systems. We mapped stakeholders and assessed the context of information, material- and knowledge flows, as well as the practice and policy aspects of soil conservation farming. As a result of the multi-actor platform stakeholder engagements first steps have been taken in collecting views on the barriers and needs for change to promote the transition of soil conservation farming practices. Innovative design changes to existing rural development measures have the potential to successfully promote transitions to soil conservation farming if accompanied by measures of research and advisory development, raising public awareness and demand for crops produced this way. The EU the environmental and climatic expectations are expected to increase in the next cycle of the CAP, therefore the topic of soil conservation farming is justified to be a priority and requires to get prepared for the development of appropriate interventions in the national CAP Strategic Plan. Acknowledgements: UNISECO (‘Understanding and Improving the Sustainability of Agro-Ecological Farming Systems in the EU’) has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement 773901.}, year = {2021}, orcid-numbers = {Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880} } @techreport{MTMT:32680123, title = {MIND STEP D8.3 Interim report on Communication, dissemination and impact of project activities}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/32680123}, author = {Balázs, Katalin}, unique-id = {32680123}, abstract = {Interim report on the communication, dissemination and impact of project activities in MIND STEP.}, year = {2021}, orcid-numbers = {Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880} } @misc{MTMT:32679990, title = {Strategies of agro-ecological transitions - UNISECO. Presentation at the UNISECO H2020 Final Conference, 18-19 March 2021 https://uniseco-project.eu/final-conference}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/32679990}, author = {Landert, Jan and Prazan, Jaroslav and Vanni, Francesco and Schwarz, Gerald and Hrabalová, Andrea and Helin, Janne and Huisman, David and Zīlāns, Andis and Veidemane, Kristīna and Jegelevičius, Gražvydas and Mikšytė, Elvyra and Gulbinas, Justas and Alijošiutė-Paulauskienė, Audronė and Frick, Rebekka and Bircher, Richard and Scharrer, Bettina and Müller, Adrian and Carolus, Johannes and Balázs, Katalin and Szilágyi, Alfréd János and Podmaniczky, László and Weisshaidinger, Rainer and Guisepelli, Emmanuel and Fleury, Philippe and Vincent, Audrey and Galioto, Francesco and Gava, Oriana and Povellato, Andrea and Smyrniotopoulou, Alexandra and Vlahos, George and Linares Quero, Alba and Iragui Yoldi, Uxue and Frățilă, Mihaela and Cazacu, Mara and Resare Sahlin, Kajsa and Röös, Elin and Pia, Chiara and Miller, David and Albanito, Fabrizio and Kyle, Carol and Irvine, Katherine and Smith, Pete and Aalders, Inge and Wang, Chen and Donnelly, David and McKeen, Margaret and Christie, Andrew}, doi = {10.5281/zenodo.4644140}, unique-id = {32679990}, abstract = {UNISECO is a European research project aiming to develop innovative approaches to enhance the understanding of socio-economic and policy drivers and barriers for further development and implementation of agro-ecological practices in EU farming systems. Learn more about the project: https://uniseco-project.eu/ This project has received funding from the European Union's H2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 773901}, year = {2021}, orcid-numbers = {Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880} } @techreport{MTMT:32679985, title = {UNISECO D3.4. Report on Key Barriers of Agro-ecological Farming Systems in Europe and Co-constructed Strategies}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/32679985}, author = {Schwarz, Gerald and Prazan, Jaroslav and Landert, Jan and Miller, David and Vanni, Francesco and Carolus, Johannes and Weisshaidinger, Rainer and Bartel-Kratochvil, Ruth and Mayer, Andreas and Frick, Rebekka and Hrabalová, Andrea and Linares Quero, Alba and Iragui, Uxue and Astrain Massa, Carlos and Helin, Janne and Huismann, David and Guisepelli, Emmanuel and Fleury, Philippe and Vincent, Audrey and Smyrniotopoulou, Alexandra and Vlahos, George and Balázs, Katalin and Szilágyi, Alfréd János and Podmaniczky, László and Gava, Oriana and Povellato, Andrea and Galioto, Francesco and Zīlāns, Andis and Veidemane, Kristina and Gulbinas, Justas and Jegelevičius, Gražvydas and Myškyté, Elvyra and Frățilă, Mihaela and Cazacu, Mara and Resare Sahlin, Kajsa and Röös, Elin and Pia, Chiara and Kyle, Carol and Irvine, Kate and Albanito, Fabrizio and Smith, Pete}, doi = {10.5281/zenodo.5549542}, unique-id = {32679985}, abstract = {The overall objective of this report is to summarise the analysis of barriers and drivers hindering or facilitating the implementation of agro-ecological practices, and the strategies identified that address the barriers and drivers of agro-ecological transitions in the context of the 15 UNISECO case studies. The co-construction of the transition strategies with the local actors aims to propose changes in the governance of the farming system to address the key barriers and drivers of implementing the practices, and to identify market and policy incentives that are expected to support an agro-ecological transition. Particular attention is paid on how cooperation between actors can help to address the key drivers and barriers. Key aspects for successful agro-ecological transitions are improved knowledge on the benefits of agro-ecological practices and economic opportunities, the importance of education, training and life-long learning, and mature social capital and strengthened collaborative action and collective institutions in agro-ecological value chains. This would enable higher prices to be charged for agro-ecological products and utilise the potential of agro-ecological farming to be economically viable. Such processes need to be supported by policy and the public sector, to address issues of economic exploitation and power relations as well as problems of over-consumption and food waste in food chains, with implications for public health, social justice and food security. The outcome of the co-construction of the strategies has informed: i) the assessment of trade-offs at farm level (Albanito et al., 2021, Deliverable D3.5) by providing information on the farm management changes and agro-ecological practices that are seen as effective and acceptable; ii) the multi-criteria assessment of policy instruments and incentives (Galioto et al., 2021, Deliverable D5.4) by identifying innovative market and policy incentives that are suitable to promote agro-ecological transition; and iii) the lessons learnt for agro-ecological transitions reflecting the different local and place-based context of the story maps from each case study (Landert et al., 2021, Deliverable D3.6). This document is Deliverable D3.4 in Work package “Assessment at farm level” of the EU Horizon 2020 project UNISECO. UNISECO is a European research project aiming to develop innovative approaches to enhance the understanding of socio-economic and policy drivers and barriers for further development and implementation of agro-ecological practices in EU farming systems. Learn more about the project on: https://uniseco-project.eu/ This project has received funding from the European Union's H2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 773901. This publication reflects only the authors' view and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.}, year = {2021}, orcid-numbers = {Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880} } @techreport{MTMT:32679961, title = {UNISECO D3.6 Updated Story Maps on Lessons Learnt from each Case Study}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/32679961}, author = {Landert, Jan and Schwarz, Gerald and Cazacu, Mara and Prazan, Jaroslav and Helin, Janne and Weisshaidinger, Rainer and Bartel-Kratochvil, Ruth and Mayer, Andreas and Hrabalova, Andrea and Guisepelli, Emmanuel and Fleury, Philippe and Vincent, Audrey and Carolus, Johannes and Smyrniotopoulou, Alexandra and Vlahos, George and Balázs, Katalin and Szilágyi, Alfréd János and Podmaniczky, László and Gava, Oriana and Povellato, Andrea and Galioto, Francesco and Vanni, Francesco and Zilans, Andis and Stube, Marta and Strigune, Dace and Veidemane, Kristina and Gulbinas, Justas and Jegelevičius, Gražvydas and Fratila, Mihaela and Linares Quero, Alba and Iragui Yoldi, Uxue and Resare Sahlin, Kajsa and Röös, Elin and Pia, Chiara and Frick, Rebekka and Miller, David and Kyle, Carol and Irvine, Katherine N. and Albanito, Fabrizio and Smith, Pete and Wang, Cheng and Aalders, Inge and Christie, Andrew}, doi = {10.5281/zenodo.5576192}, unique-id = {32679961}, abstract = {In 15 case studies representing different European farming systems and stages along the agro-ecological transition, related barriers have been analysed and strategies co-constructed with the Multi-Actor Platforms over the course of the UNISECO project. The strategies are the result of different assessments (such as sustainability assessment or social network analysis), interviews and workshops with local stakeholders. Narratives that derive the main lessons learnt on governance changes and sustainability implications of agro-ecological transitions have been developed in a set of web pages (story maps) to make the research outcomes accessible in an easy to understand language to practitioners, policy stakeholders and the wider public. While there are unique lessons learnt in each case study, there are three common domains of lessons learnt, namely (1) knowledge and social capital, (2) market access, processing and value added and (3) innovative policy support. Based on existing policies such as support for organic farming, the latter needs specially to focus on fostering cooperation, supporting of the knowledge system, result-based payments and green public procurement. UNISECO is a European research project aiming to develop innovative approaches to enhance the understanding of socio-economic and policy drivers and barriers for further development and implementation of agro-ecological practices in EU farming systems. Learn more about the project: https://uniseco-project.eu/ This project has received funding from the European Union's H2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 773901. This publication reflects only the authors' view and the European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.}, year = {2021}, orcid-numbers = {Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880} } @techreport{MTMT:32679945, title = {UNISECO D5.4 Annex 1 Innovative Market and Policy Instruments to Promote the Agro-ecological Transition Strategies}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/32679945}, author = {Weisshaidinger, Rainer and Hrabalova, Andrea and Prazan, Jaroslav and Schwarz, Gerald and Carolus, Johannes and Polaschegg, Marcus and Helin, Janne and Huisman, David and Winquist, Erika and Rikkonen, Pasi and Vincent, Audrey and Fleury, Philippe and Guisepelli, Emmanuel and Smyrniotopoulou, Alexandra and Vlahos, George and Balázs, Katalin and Szilágyi, Alfréd János and Podmaniczky, László and Gava, Oriana and Povellato, Andrea and Galioto, Francesco and Vanni, Francesco and Jegelevičius, Gražvydas and Mikšytė, Elvyra and Zilans, Andis and Frățilă, Mihaela and Cazacu, Mara and Iragui Yoldi, Uxue and Zabalza Armendariz, Silvia and Astrain Massa, Carlos and Röös, Elin and Resare Sahlin, Kajsa and Pia, Chiara and Landert, Jan and Miller, David and Kyle, Carol and Irvine, Katherine N. and Albanito, Fabrizio and Smith, Pete}, doi = {10.5281/zenodo.5592066}, unique-id = {32679945}, abstract = {This document is the Annex of the report on the innovative market and policy instruments to promote the agro-ecological transition strategies (Galioto et al. 2021) which includes a more detailed description of all the 15 case studies.}, year = {2021}, orcid-numbers = {Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880} } @misc{MTMT:32679941, title = {The Agro ecological Knowledge Hub: a project legacy from UNISECO. Presentation at the UNISECO H2020 Final Conference, 18-19 March 2021 https://uniseco-project.eu/final-conference}, url = {https://m2.mtmt.hu/api/publication/32679941}, author = {Balázs, Katalin and Schwarz, Gerald and Miller, David and Ruškutė, Eglė and Cazacu, Mara and Monteleone, Daniel}, doi = {10.5281/zenodo.4644555}, unique-id = {32679941}, abstract = {UNISECO is a European research project aiming to develop innovative approaches to enhance the understanding of socio-economic and policy drivers and barriers for further development and implementation of agro-ecological practices in EU farming systems. Learn more about the project: https://uniseco-project.eu/ This project has received funding from the European Union's H2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 773901.}, year = {2021}, orcid-numbers = {Balázs, Katalin/0000-0001-7945-1880} }