The EU4Advice Irish Living Lab is actively identifying and developing the supports and training needed to equip non-formal advisors and local food facilitators working within short food supply chains (SFSCs). It aims to integrate these crucial actors into the national Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS), ensuring they are formally recognised and supported. Through this process, the Living Lab is laying the groundwork for the establishment of a dedicated SFSC advisory service, designed to empower communities, enhance local food economies, and accelerate the transition to more resilient, sustainable food systems.

Cultivate, the Sustainable Ireland Cooperative, coordinates the EU4Advice Irish Living Lab, comprising stakeholders from the Feeding Ourselves Community of Practice (CoP) with support from UCD. This network was established for agroecological farmers, land-workers, local food advocates, and Environmental NGOs across Ireland to foster peer-learning and capacity building in agroecology and local food economies.

Subscribe to the Feeding Ourselves newsletter to be kept up to date on Irish Living Lab activities, focus groups and workshops - https://mailchi.mp/22e72a7c7d25/feeding-ourselves-bulletin