Every October, farmers, consumers, activists and citizens come together to celebrate food and farming – and demand political change. For the seventh year in a row now, the European Days of Action are happening. Mia Mancini and Pauline Naterstad from Good Food Good Farming tell us about the actions and some of the upcoming activities – and how to register yours!
The European Days of Action is a great opportunity for ‘old supporters’ and new groups, organizations, and citizens alike to get involved in the Good Food Good Farming movement due to its low barrier to entry: all you have to do is register your event on the website!
From protests and picnics to workshops, film screenings, and harvest festivals—whether online or in person—there are no strict rules, just one united cause: #GoodFoodGoodFarming!
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All events are featured on an Action Map that showcases the diverse events across Europe. More than 30 events in over 15 EU countries can be found via the action map – and many more will follow! YOU can also add your own event – info below on how to do so. Some highlights include:
Fiesta de la Milpa, October 2 (Cologne, Germany)
During the harvest festival, Maiz-Tree Media e.V. will celebrate agroecology, biodiversity, and discuss global agriculture in a way that’s engaging for both children and adults. Through puppet theater, music, lectures, and exhibitions, they invite everyone to celebrate the corn harvest and highlight its role in the fight for food sovereignty!
Farm Visit at Ta’Frawla Farm! October 12 (Mellieħa, Malta)
Friends of the Earth Malta invites you to a farm visit to promote sustainable agriculture and to foster connections between consumers and local producers. With a farm tour, honey tasting, and an active planting sessions, it’s a great chance to learn about the challenges farmers face and how sustainable farming can strengthen our food systems against today’s social and environmental crises.
Agroecology and Water Festival, October 14-19 (Flanders, Belgium)
Solidagro is hosting a multi-day event at different locations across Flanders to explore challenges and agroecological solutions for our food systems. The festival will tackle questions like, “How effective is agroecology against extreme climate change?” and “What role does water play in the future of restorative agriculture?” From vegetable gardeners to policymakers to farmers, all who want to engage with these questions are welcome!
See even more European Days of Action events
How to register your event
Everyone can be part of the European Days of Action by organizing an event or joining an on- or offline event in your area. If you have a food or farming activity planned between October 1 and 31, you can register your own event at the GFGF website. When you register your event you can also:
- apply to get funding for a videographer and take part in our European Days of Action flashback video!
- Order free campaign materials, including a fun info-poster about the CAP and ‘Recipe for Change’ pages for participants to fill out during your event!
After the action, Good Food Good Farming will collect all the recipes and compile them into a cookbook titled ‘European Recipes for Change’, which we will deliver to the European Commission in Spring 2025—just in time for politicians to consider our demands during the negotiations on the new long-term budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)!
register your event at the GFGF website.
The MFF sets the maximum amount of EU funds allocated to CAP and outlines how this money must be used. The CAP is the largest EU legislation; it shapes the reality of food and farming in Europe and whether farmers and citizens receive adequate support to lead sustainable lives. Currently the CAP subsidy system uses an area-based payment system: the bigger the farm, the bigger the subsidy. As a result, 80% of CAP funds go to just 20% of farms in Europe, enabling large industrial farms to boost their profits while small and medium-scale farms face alarming decline. Europe lost 37 % of farms between 2005 and 2020, while large farms increased by 20 % during the same period.
Through the European Days of Action, the need for better food and farming policies are put on the agenda across Europe. It is time to let national and EU decision-makers know: We want change! Stop favoring industrial farming giants and redirect funds for a just agroecological transition.
We want change towards a future where
+ Good food is a basic right – not a privilege
+ Farmers & farm workers are in charge – not exploited
+ The answer is agroecology – not agroindustry
+ There is place for nature – not pesticides
+ Rural areas are flourishing – not neglected
+ Our food system works for the people, planet and climate – not for profits
More
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Wolfgang Hees on Policy and Land Use at Strasbourg Good Food Good Farming Action Day
