Over the years, European citizens have become more and more aware of the importance of agriculture and rural areas in the EU. This is shown by the Eurobarometer survey, according to which 95% of citizens believe that agriculture and rural areas are important for our future. There is also a growing percentage of citizens who say they know what the Common Agricultural Policy is and recognize its benefits for both farmers and consumers.
“What is the CAP?
The Common Agricultural Policy is one of the most important policies in the agri-food economic area, a policy that affects all EU member states and whose budget accounts for 35% of the EU’s annual budget. The main objectives of this policy are to ensure a decent standard of living for farmers and a sustainable rural development.”
Currently the CAP is in a two-year transition period, in 2022 the new reform will be launched and will be in effect from 2023 to 2027. The new CAP will help achieve the goals of the “Green Deal” and the “Farm to Fork” and “Biodiversity” strategies. For the new period, the CAP will be structured in nine objectives focusing on social, environmental and economic aspects, these objectives will form the basis on which EU countries will develop their strategic plans. In this scenario in which the new CAP will have to respond to complex challenges given by climate change, the post-Covid economic situation, new roles for agriculture and farmers and new responsibilities for the EU citizens are outlined.
CAPPERI was designed to spread awareness among citizens, especially among young people, about the environmental and economic implications of agricultural policy, both at national and European level, and in particular the knowledge of the CAP as a tool for achieving the objectives of the Green Deal and the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, including the ecological transition, environmental and social sustainability, the fight against climate change, food security.
The project, started the 29th and 30th of September in Vicenza, will be carried out entirely in Italy, with a multi-regional focus. During the 12 months of the project, CAPPERI will actively involve citizens in 5 cities, with a series of initiatives including various educational-creative paths with high school students.
CAPPERI will create an opportunity for reflection on the role of agriculture in today’s society through an educational path that mixes social sciences and creativity. In Palermo, the students of a third grade of the Liceo Scientifico Einstein will get to know experiences, people and values that revolve around the agriculture of the urban and peri-urban areas of Palermo, they will reflect about the link between agriculture, environment and climate change, sustainable production and consumption and waste reduction.
In addition to this, events open to the public will be organized, educational activities with children and families, practical and experiential field activities, in environments such as urban gardens and parks, farmers’ markets and farms in the urban and peri-urban areas of the cities, with a view to favouring the link between city and countryside. An international audience will be reached thanks to an international illustration competition and a cycle of national and international webinars.
CAPPERI’s journey started in Vicenza will end in Palermo, with a final event that will see the participation of all the national partners and the representatives of the 5 schools involved, to disseminate the results of the project and share them with organizations, citizens and policy makers.
The involvement of local realities will also lead to the creation of a community of interest for CAPPERI, which will ensure the continuity of the commitment of the actors involved after the end of the project.
About the project
CAP-PERI – Common Agricultural Policy, Peer Educational Resources in Italy is cofinanced by DG AGRI – IMCAP-2021 — Support for information measures relating to the Common Agricultural Policy for 2021.
Partners
- ALDA – Associazione Europea per la Democrazia Locale (Italy, coordinator)
- La Piccionaia – Centro di Produzione Teatrale (Italy)
- ISBEM – Istituto Scientifico Biomedico Euro Mediterraneo (Italy)
- Replay Network (Italy)
- IRS – Istituto per la Ricerca Sociale (Italy)
- CESIE (Italy)
For further information
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Contact Caterina Impastato: caterina.impastato@cesie.org.
