SOFI – Smart Organic Food Initiative

Project

In accordance with national authorities in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina – such as the Ministries of Agriculture, Economy, Development, Education and Science –, and farmers’ associations, the project carries out educational and networking activities to increase the knowledge on agriculture’s impact on climate change. As achieving climate neutrality is impossible without involving local agriculture, the project addresses producers like small farmers or landowners, consumers, and municipalities in the cities of Krizevci (Croatia) and Travnik (Bosnia and Herzegovina). By providing spaces of dialogue and education, the project helps them to create climate action plans for their cities. This includes research on the impact of local agriculture and the potential of organic agriculture for having a positive impact on climate change and biodiversity. The project team uses these climate action plans to incorporate the topic of smart organic production into local development strategies. Through the method of peer learning, the project’s network – consisting of municipalities, national organic farmers associations, producers, and consumers as well as academics and scholars – aims at increasing awareness and calling for climate action in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also creates a green education programme to be implemented in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which supports the development of climate-friendly agricultural businesses and family farms. To increase public knowledge on the topic and make data accessible, all project-related outputs – green education programmes, educational materials, financial indicators, and videos, among others – are made publicly available. Workshops, conferences, Eco Feria festivals, and the supporting website additionally disseminate information on sustainable food production.