EU Thematic Group on Just Transition: A Catalyst for Agri-Food Innovation

The European Union has launched an EU Thematic Group (TG) on Just Transition in the Agri-Food System under the EU CAP Network, focusing on the role of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in shaping a fair, resilient, and inclusive transformation of Europe’s agri-food sector.

This group brings together around 40 expert stakeholders — including farmers, researchers, advisers, policymakers, local action groups, and rural organisations — to explore how CAP instruments can be designed and implemented in ways that align environmental goals with social and economic realities, ensuring that no one is left behind in the shift toward greener and more sustainable food systems.

European agriculture is at a crossroads, facing urgent challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, volatile markets, and socio-economic inequalities. A Just Transition means achieving sustainability — both environmental and economic — without deepening social disparities. It combines climate ambition with fairness for rural communities and farmers, enabling transformations that are equitable and widely supported.

Within this context, the CAP — the EU’s flagship policy for agriculture and rural development — plays a central role as the main source of funding and policy guidance, but it must work in coherence with other policies and market-based initiatives to be effective.

The EU Thematic Group seeks to:

• Identify ways CAP interventions can support systemic change toward a Just Transition.

• Promote integrated and coherent implementation of environmental and socio-economic objectives.

• Share best practices and case studies that can inspire and inform policy and action across EU Member States.

The group will meet online in March 2026 and in person in Brussels in June 2026, offering a structured forum for exchange, networking, and joint learning.

Addressing the diversity of agri-food challenges — from climate mitigation to farm competitiveness, from market access to rural livelihoods — demands shared insight from diverse voices across the value chain.

The TG explicitly emphasises participation of all stakeholders, especially those who are often marginalised, to ensure that innovation and policy design are inclusive and actionable.

This approach acknowledges that solutions must be context-specific, recognizing differences in farm structures, environmental conditions, local markets, and community needs across regions.

For members of AgriVentures, engagement with themes like the Just Transition TG offers real value:

• Networking Opportunities: Members gain access to broader EU-level dialogues, connecting with policymakers, innovators, and sector leaders.

• Learning and Influence: Participation (directly or indirectly) in Thematic Groups helps members understand policy trends and contribute knowledge from the ground.

• Business Growth: Insight into CAP implementation and sustainability pathways can inform service offerings, project design, and strategic partnerships.

• Community Strength: AgriVentures fosters an ecosystem where diverse agri-food actors share challenges and co-develop solutions — the same spirit that underpins the TG’s inclusive approach.

👉 Learn more on EU CAP NETWORK

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