European network for the promotion of agri-food employment in small and medium-sized cities
AGRI-URBAN is about Rethinking Agrifood Production in Small and Medium-sized Cities.Many small and medium-sized cities across Europe, particularly in intermediate regions (see the OECD concept) but also in other functional contexts, have a relative specialization in agri-food production. Roughly speaking, it is a seemingly mature industry, which still plays an important role in terms of GDP, employment and environmental sustainability. That is why new growth potentials have to be activated by means of innovation, new business models or making the most of the cluster approach. In addition, that specialization in agri-food has now to be reframed locally at the light of new trends such as green economy, digital and creative economy, circular economy or the emerging concept of sharing economy, resulting in new opportunities for the labour market, SMEs development, entrepreneurship and the urban-rural linkage. The project will tackle the multiple dimensions of this issue from a truly integrated urban development approach. In order to do this, the innovation framework proposed by the European Commission has been taken into account, both in AGRI-URBAN strategic conception and in the various proposals for themes and subthemes on which the project is based and which must be transformed into specific actions included in the integrated action plans. The AGRI-URBAN main themes are the following: Short Circuits, Smart Land Use, Business Development of SMEs and Public Procurement.