From 30 April to 5 May 2022 Schola Campesina welcomed the meeting of the Community of practice on Agroecology in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. Farmers’ organisations and networks, researchers and activists from 15 different countries gathered in Italy, in Bio Bagnolese and Casale Loreto at farms members of the Biodistrict of Via Amerina e delle Forre and Schola Campesina.

 The meeting aimed at:

• strengthening the network of organizations beyond borders and conflicts;
• circulation of knowledge and experiences amongst organizations;
• articulation and facilitation of the development of agroecology schools throughout Eastern Europe and the Central Asia region.

A specific digital platform has been co-designed by Jengalab and the Community of practice on Agroecology in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region to facilitate the exchanges amongst the Agroecology schools, in a digital but suitable and safe space.

The past collaboration between the organizations developed in 2020, and 2021 to apply the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) made possible the exchange of valuable local practices in agroecology. As unveiled with the use of TAPE, local agroecology proposes sustainable agricultural practices that have to be protected and further developed.

Agroecology schools are a tool for small-scale food producers’ organizations to make sustainable local practices recognized, valued, protected and strengthened. 

© Joanna Bojczewska