From April 30th to May 5th (2022) Schola Campesina welcomed the meeting of the Community of practice on Agroecology in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region. Farmers organizations and networks, along with researchers and activists from 15 different countries gathered in Italy, in Bio Bagnolese and Casale Loreto farms members of the Biodistrict of Via Amerina e delle Forre and of Schola Campesina.
The meeting aimed at strengthening the network of organization beyond borders and conflicts, the circulation of knowledge and experiences amongst them, and the facilitation of the development of agroecology schools throughout the region. A specific digital platform is being co-designed by Jengalab and the Community of practice on Agroecology- to facilitate the exchanges amongst the Agroecology schools, in a digital but suitable and safe space.
Past collaboration (2020, 2021) made valuable local practices coming up, thanks to TAPE (Tool of Agroecology Performance Evaluation, developed by FAO). Local agroecology –unveiled through the use of TAPE- has to be protected and developed. Agroecology schools are a tool for small-scale food producers’ organizations to make sustainable local practices recognized, valued, protected and strengthened.