Agroecology In Action (AiA)

Agroecology In Action (AiA) is the platform of the agroecology movement in French-speaking Belgium. Created in 2016, it brings together around 40 organizations from the agricultural, health, environmental, economic, social, academic, cooperative, and citizen sectors to advocate for the transition toward agroecological and solidarity-based food systems. AiA positions itself as a cross-sector, participatory movement that connects field realities with policy advocacy. Its work spans the full food system, from production to consumption, and it seeks to build a common framework for organizations that want to support more just, resilient, and territorially rooted food systems in Belgium. Key Offerings Policy advocacy and public campaigning : AiA develops common advocacy positions, memoranda, open letters, and campaigns aimed at shaping agricultural and food policy at local, regional, Belgian, and European levels. Research-based position papers and briefing notes : The movement publishes thematic papers on topics such as agroecology, carbon farming, gender, pesticides, supply chains, land access, and the CAP, drawing on member expertise and external studies. Tools and practical resources : AiA shares tools such as the agroecological reference framework for Participatory Guarantee Systems (SPG), diagnostic and transition methods, brochures, and resource platforms to support agroecological practice and understanding. Network coordination and member support : AiA connects member organizations, facilitates exchange across sectors, and helps strengthen initiatives related to agroecology and solidarity-based food systems. Core Values Agroecology : AiA promotes agroecology as a global transformation project for food systems, not just a set of farming techniques, combining environmental, social, economic, health, and democratic dimensions. Social justice : The movement emphasizes dignified working conditions, fair incomes, the right to food, and stronger protections for farmers, workers, and vulnerable consumers. Environmental resilience : AiA advocates for biodiversity, climate resilience, protection of soils and natural resources, and opposition to pollution and land commodification. Democratic governance : It supports participatory, coherent public policy and food-system governance built with diverse stakeholders and grounded in field realities. Solidarity and territorial food systems : AiA favors local markets, short supply chains, and food systems that strengthen links between producers and consumers. Unique Aspects A broad multi-sector coalition : AiA unites organizations from production, health, environment, social action, academia, cooperatives, and citizen movements, giving it a deliberately cross-sector advocacy base. A clearly defined agroecology framework : The movement has published its own definition of agroecology, including four guiding principles and a strong stance against pesticides, GMOs, synthetic inputs, and land artificialization. Strong policy focus on food-system transition : AiA does not limit itself to farming; it advocates for integrated food policies, including the CAP, food access, land governance, public procurement, and territorial supply chains. Member-driven legitimacy : Its positions are presented as the result of compromise and convergence among member organizations, rather than a single-sector viewpoint. Established since 2016 with 40 member organizations : The platform has been active for years and has built a recognized network in French-speaking Belgium around agroecological transition.