Social farming as a tool for innovation in agriculture

Practical information

1. Composition of the study group
2. Administrator / Assistant in charge: Myrto KOLYVA, Martine DELANOY / Zahra KADIRI
3. Contact

Background

Social farming is an innovative approach that combines traditional agricultural practices with social services and therapeutic activities, and has a major role to play in connecting rural and urban, agriculture and the wider society. It represents social innovation in agriculture, as it expands the role of farms to include public benefit functions and creates new forms of cooperation between sectors (agriculture / social services / employment / health / education).  

At the same time, it is linked to current European policies and debates, in particular the Common Agricultural Policy, and European priorities in the areas of long-term care, health, and mental health.  

This own-initiative opinion aims to clearly define social farming as an innovation in agriculture, highlighting its social impacts and to identify barriers to its development -such as legislative frameworks, recognition of services, financing, insurance, quality and safety, capacities and competences.

Furthermore, the opinion will contribute to mainstreaming social farming into rural and innovation policies, making social inclusion a visible and recognized part of agricultural innovation, and strengthening interdepartmental cooperation, through a comprehensive approach. It is also expected to raise awareness of the economic benefits (diversification and income stability), the benefits for the community, and the potential for reducing public budget costs through preventive and integrative effects.

This own-initiative opinion, through its recommendations, aims to bring visibility to this topic within the EU institutions and influence the next programming period 2028+ and the ongoing proposal of the next CAP.