Transformative, inclusive and regionally grounded innovation in agrifood systems was the central message from EPP-CoR members at the Forum for the Future of Agriculture Annual Conference, dedicated to Transformative Innovation in the Agrifood Systems, held at the European Committee of the Regions.
Opening the discussion, Joke Schauvliege, Member of the Province of East Flanders, stressed the urgency of reshaping innovation approaches to respond to mounting pressures on food systems. “Today’s theme—transformative innovation—comes at a moment of urgency. Our agrifood systems are facing multiple pressures: climate impacts, volatility in markets and inputs, biodiversity loss, and the need to secure healthy diets, decent livelihoods and economic access to food,” she said.
She underlined that innovation must go beyond technology alone, calling for approaches that are inclusive and rooted in local realities. “What we need is better innovation: innovation that is inclusive, equitable, and fit for purpose,” she added, noting that too often smaller actors remain underrepresented despite their key role in practical problem-solving.
From a regional perspective, Schauvliege emphasised that innovation is inherently territorial, with local and regional authorities acting as enablers of ecosystems that connect farmers, researchers and businesses. She highlighted the example of Flanders, where living labs on sustainable protein production, precision livestock farming and short food supply chains bring together farmers, researchers, start-ups and SMEs. These initiatives allow innovations—from alternative protein crops to digital decision-support tools—to be tested directly in the field, with farmers acting as co-designers rather than end-users.
Piotr Całbecki, Chair of the CoR NAT Commission and President of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie region, pointed to the broader context of the ongoing energy crisis and its direct impact on the agrifood sector. “We are meeting at a moment when the energy crisis is very real. Farmers and agrifood businesses feel it every day, through higher costs for fuel, fertilizers, irrigation, processing, and transport,” he said.
He warned that the impact is uneven across Europe, underlining the importance of the regional level in shaping effective responses. “Our food system remains highly dependent on energy and external inputs. This crisis shows the limits of that model. Innovation is essential—but it must be practical, accessible, and adapted to regional needs,” he stressed.
EPP-CoR members concluded that the current challenges—from energy costs to climate pressures—also present an opportunity to accelerate the transition towards more resilient, sustainable and locally adapted agrifood systems.