Background
The Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture, Food Security and Climate Change (FACCE-JPI) celebrates its ten year anniversary by engaging in a high-level science-policy discussion. The aim is threefold, i) highlighting the European societal challenges including the key research concerns, ii) exploring potential new pathways by showcasing the past scientific results, and iii) prioritisation of the science–policy discussion together with the national and European decision makers about the strategic urgencies.
In 2010, the Council of the European Union launched FACCE-JPI to stimulate a joint programming process and transnational collaboration between Member States in the remit of agriculture, food security and climate change. In 2020, the JPI celebrates its 10 years of existence. In the past decade, FACCE-JPI has implemented and invested in more than 18 activities and joint research actions that have funded 120 projects. It has also established alignment actions and organised numerous workshops. Between 2011 and 2017, FACCE-JPI mobilised nearly €120 million of funding.
Building on the 10 years’ experience and the already existing results, the aim is to show priority pathways for the public discussions, for research and innovation actions and for European policymaking. FACCE-JPI recently renewed its own vision and its Strategic Research Agenda, preparing for the next decade. The ongoing sustainability transition already urged for renewed priorities, but the shock of COVID-19 and expected consequences create the momentum for a high-level event. European society and public debates need to be guided, both on the urgency of the issues concerning agriculture, food security and climate change and the need for public investments in research and innovation, providing the basis for sound policy-making. This policy in turn will fundamentally influence the next decade(s)’ sustainability processes and the future of our society.
Europe needs to rethink its own food system in the global context. There is a need for transnational solidarity, research programming and investment to build a European Research Area that includes all of Europe, to ensure solutions for European society’s sustainable future. Thus, the event will give a platform for discussion with the wider public, a specific forum for researchers and additional fora for policy makers from Member States’ ministries and European institutions.