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Changing Paradigms in Policymaking: Towards Food Citizenship in the European Union?

Citizenship
Democracy
European Union
Governance
Public Policy
Policy Change
József Slezák
Central European University
József Slezák
Central European University

Abstract

An increasing number of individuals and communities aim to eat in ways that support their health while minimising unsustainable ecological impacts and ensuring fair working conditions and wages throughout the supply chain. Simultaneously, there is growing recognition that disparities in food consumption – such as access to adequate nutrition – represent a significant dimension of social inequality. Several health organisations, including the World Health Organisation, have issued alarming reports on the negative health impacts of mainstream diets, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and gastrointestinal diseases, all significantly influenced by poor dietary habits. Similarly, environmental organisations like the European Environment Agency highlight ecological challenges from food production, including soil depletion, pesticide pollution, and food waste. The contradictions inherent in current food systems have reached a level where, according to many experts, an integrated and transdisciplinary policy paradigm shift is urgently required. Such a shift is not only justified by ecological, social, and economic factors but also by shortcomings in democratic decision-making processes. For example, concentrated economic interests often dominate food supply systems, sidelining the needs of small-scale producers and local communities. The concept of food citizenship offers a potential response to these challenges. It aims to transform individuals and communities into autonomous, active participants in shaping food systems, moving beyond passive consumer roles while realising both personal and collective benefits. Examples of food citizenship initiatives include establishing local food councils, supporting community-based agriculture, and forming food-related advocacy groups. The PhD research presented at this conference aims to refine the fragmented concept of food citizenship and position it as a foundational paradigm for European Union (EU) policymakers. Beyond the mainstream focus on freedom of movement, digital citizenship and energy citizenship stand out as promising examples of how citizenship theory has been successfully applied within EU policymaking, gaining recognition in both academic and political contexts. The research focuses on how food citizenship is understood in academic and practical contexts and what elements are needed to enable its application in EU policymaking to facilitate the necessary paradigm shift. The methodologies employed include literature reviews, analysis of policy documents, and in-depth interviews with stakeholders from academia, non-profits, businesses, and policymaking bodies. The findings of research suggest that while food citizenship is present in the literature, it has significant gaps. For instance, the concept is primarily framed in territorial terms, overlooking the complexities of global supply chains and pointing toward a model of differentiated citizenship. The study's analysis of EU policies reveals that, while food citizenship is not explicitly recognised, an implicit, fragmented framework already exists. For example, the European Citizens Initiative has been utilised to bring food-related issues – such as the "Save bees and farmers" campaign – to the political agenda. Specific food-related examples of this framework include EU support for developing short supply chains aimed at, among other things, reducing feelings of alienation among citizens regarding food production. The conference paper concludes with recommendations for advancing the EU's nascent food citizenship framework, building on successful initiatives implemented at national, regional, and local levels across the EU.