Common policies #

European Green Deal #

The European Green Deal is the EU’s ambitious strategy to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050, driving a sustainable transition across its economy. It aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and protect biodiversity, while ensuring sustainable growth and improved quality of life. Key topics addressed include climate action, circular economy, sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, pollution reduction, and energy efficiency. The Green Deal also focuses on green transport, industry decarbonization, and creating green jobs, aligning with global goals to combat climate change and promote environmental sustainability.

Farm to Fork Strategy #

The Farm to Fork Strategy is a key part of the European Green Deal, launched in May 2020, aimed at creating a sustainable and environmentally friendly food system in the EU. It focuses on reducing the environmental and climate impact of food production and consumption while ensuring food security and public health. The strategy promotes sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic farming, and aims to increase the consumption of healthy foods. It also addresses issues like reducing pesticide use, promoting sustainable fishing, minimizing food waste, and supporting a circular economy in the food sector.

Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) #

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a comprehensive framework of agricultural policies created by the European Union to support farmers and promote sustainable agriculture. Introduced in 1962, CAP aims to ensure a stable food supply, maintain fair living standards for farmers, and foster rural development across Europe. It provides financial support to farmers, helping stabilize their incomes in the face of market fluctuations and price volatility. In addition to economic support, CAP plays a key role in promoting environmental sustainability by encouraging farming practices that protect biodiversity, reduce pollution, and mitigate climate change. It supports organic farming, efforts to maintain healthy soil and water resources, and contributes to the EU’s broader climate and environmental goals.

Food 2030 #

Food 2030 is the EU’s research and innovation policy framework supporting the transition towards sustainable, healthy and inclusive food systems, that respect planetary boundaries. It is in line with, and supports the goals of the European Green Deal, Farm to Fork strategy and Bioeconomy strategy. Food 2030 is underpinned by the need to foster a multi-actor and systemic approach to research and innovation capable of delivering co-benefits for people’s health, our climate, our planet and communities.

Slovenia #

Slovenia’s EU Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 #

Slovenia’s EU Cohesion Policy Programme 2021-2027 is a strategic initiative designed to leverage EU funding to support Slovenia’s regional development and address key challenges. The program focuses on reducing regional inequalities, promoting economic growth, and fostering social inclusion, while also prioritizing environmental sustainability. It aims to drive innovation and digital transformation, helping businesses become more competitive, and to facilitate the country’s green transition by supporting sustainable development and combating climate change.

Slovenian development strategy 2030 #

The Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 focuses on creating a better quality of life by balancing economic growth with environmental protection and resource efficiency. It promotes renewable energy, sustainable transport, reducing waste, and adapting to climate change. The strategy also ensures the protection of forests, water, soil, and wildlife while encouraging eco-friendly farming and land use. Governments at all levels are working together to achieve these goals, measuring progress with indicators like renewable energy use and lower pollution. The strategy aims to build a sustainable, healthy, and prosperous future for everyone.

Slovenian Smart Specialisation Strategy (S5) #

The S5 Strategy is an advanced version of Slovenia’s Smart Specialisation Strategy, focusing on driving innovation through sustainable and digital transformation. It aims to strengthen Slovenia’s competitive position by promoting green technologies, digital industries, and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across sectors. The strategy emphasizes inclusive growth, ensuring that innovation benefits are spread across regions and demographics. It also seeks to enhance Slovenia’s global connectivity, integrating the country more effectively into international value chains. The S5 Strategy builds on previous efforts to create a more resilient, competitive, and sustainable economy.

Action plan for the Development of Organic Farming until 2027 #

The Action Plan for the Development of Organic Farming in Slovenia Until 2027 focuses on promoting organic agriculture as a key driver of sustainable development, environmental protection, and food security. The plan aligns with EU goals, targeting 18% of agricultural land in Slovenia to be organically farmed by 2027. The plan also emphasizes innovation, digitalization, and knowledge sharing among stakeholders to ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness in the organic farming sector. By prioritizing organic farming, Slovenia aims to enhance its agricultural resilience while preserving its natural resources and cultural landscape.

Austria #

RTI Strategy 2030 #

The RTI (Research, Technology, and Innovation) Strategy 2030, as outlined by the Austrian government, aims to position Austria as a leader in research, technology, and innovation over the next decade. The strategy is governed by a cross-departmental task force that includes representatives from various federal ministries, ensuring coordinated implementation. It sets out the strategic direction for the next ten years in the form of overarching objectives in order to (1) become an international innovation leader and strengthen Austria as an RTI location, (2) focus on effectiveness and excellence, and (3) focus on knowledge, talent and skills.

Bioeconomy – A Strategy for Austria #

The long-term goal of the bioeconomy is to reduce the consumption of fossil materials and energy and to replace it with renewable raw materials. The basis for action is provided by European and international objectives and commitments, such as the Paris Agreement on climate change or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, which were made binding in the 2030 Agenda. In the Austrian strategy, these goals were set out in the form of guidelines, which thus provide the framework for the further development of future bioeconomy measures.

Austrian Circular Economy Strategy #

The European Commission launched the Circular Economy Action Plan in 2015 to accelerate the realisation of a functioning circular economy. Based on this, a national circular economy strategy was developed and adopted by the Council of Ministers in 2022. The vision of the strategy is to transform the Austrian economy and society into a climate-neutral, sustainable circular economy by 2050.

VIENNA 2030 – Economy & Innovation #

The economic and innovation strategy, Strategy 2030, defines the topic area of ‘Smart solutions for the urban living space of the 21st century’, where technological and social solutions for a high urban quality of life that is climate-friendly and affordable are developed. A large number of corresponding lead projects are being implemented – such as the ‘DoTank Circular City 2020–2030’ programme.

Zukunft Stadtlandwirtschaft Wien 2025 #

The policy presents Vienna’s vision for integrating urban agriculture into sustainable city planning. It focuses on themes like local food production, climate resilience, biodiversity, and community involvement. The paper is structured into key sections: an analysis of the current state, strategic goals for 2025, specific action plans, and implementation frameworks. It combines policy recommendations with examples of innovative projects, aiming to position Vienna as a pioneer in urban agriculture and sustainability.

Nachhaltige Logistik 2030+ Niederösterreich-Wien Aktionsplan #

The document outlines a strategic action plan to promote sustainable logistics in the Vienna and Lower Austria regions. It focuses on reducing emissions, optimizing transport efficiency, and integrating innovative technologies to create a more environmentally friendly logistics system. Key themes include fostering intermodal transport, supporting urban logistics hubs, and encouraging cooperation between public and private sectors. The document serves as a roadmap for achieving climate-friendly and efficient logistics systems in the region.

Poland #

Regional Innovation Strategy for Wielkopolska 2030 (RIS 2030) #

Regional Innovation Strategy for Wielkopolska 2030 (RIS 2030) was approved on 29 December 2020 by Resolution 3099/2020 of the Board of the Wielkopolskie Voivodeship and is a strategic document and a tool for building a regional innovation system. It assists regional authorities in building sustainable structures for the development of the region’s innovativeness and contributes to the identification of development priorities, defining directions for innovation policy and ways of optimising the regional infrastructure supporting innovativeness, especially to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The Strategy for Responsible Development until 2020 (with an outlook until 2030) #

The Strategy for Responsible Development until 2020 (with an outlook until 2030) – SRD – was adopted by the Council of Ministers on 14 February 2017. The Strategy defines the basic conditions, objectives and directions of the country’s development in the social, economic, regional and spatial dimension in the 2030 perspective. The SRD presents a new model of development – responsible and socially and territorially sustainable development.

Hungary #

The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Strategy of Hungary (2021-2030) #

Hungary’s RDI strategy for 2021-2030 envisions a knowledge-based, balanced, and sustainable economy and society capable of generating high added value nationwide. The strategy focuses on enhancing competitiveness through an innovation-driven economy, a technologically advanced business sector, and flexible responses to global trends. Its three overarching goals include improving the utilization of research from public institutions, boosting innovation performance in domestic enterprises—particularly SMEs—and strengthening collaboration across the RDI ecosystem. The strategy is built on three pillars: expanding RDI institutional capacity and ensuring a skilled researcher supply, fostering knowledge flow through effective cooperation and sectoral interoperability, and improving the application of knowledge by advancing innovation.

National Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) – 2021-2027 #

Hungary’s National Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3) for 2021-2027, adopted by the government, is a key policy tool for aligning national and EU innovation goals. The strategy contributes to the EU’s “Smarter Europe” objective, fostering regional economic development, industrial transformation, and digitalisation. S3 identifies eight national economic priorities, including cutting-edge technologies, health, digitalisation, energy, agriculture, and creative industries. This strategy reflects a shift toward collaborative program design, with input from multiple government departments, particularly those overseeing ICT, enterprise development, and innovation. The S3 also leverages new EU funding mechanisms, such as the Interregional Innovation Investment Instrument (I3), to support international cooperation and S3-based initiatives. By focusing resources on these priorities, Hungary aims to strengthen its competitiveness and align with EU goals.

Italy #

Bio-Districts #

Bio-districts promote organic farming and sustainability through territorial governance. They unite farmers, local entities, and civil society around eco-friendly practices like reduced chemical usage, biodiversity conservation, and local market development. Emilia-Romagna supports these districts under a 2023 law, requiring at least 20% of agricultural land to be organic or in conversion. Participants include farmers, associations, and local governments. Key benefits include environmental restoration, economic sustainability, and social capital building in rural areas. The “Romagna Distretto Bio Simbiotico” is the region’s first bio-district.

Regional Programming Complement for Rural Development (CoPSR) #

Emilia-Romagna’s CoPSR aligns with the CAP, dedicating €913.2 million to rural competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and marginalized areas. It funds organic farming (€188M), less-favored mountain areas (€70M), and integrated manufacturing (€60M). Programe priorities include fostering resilient agri-food systems, enhancing rural community well-being, and sustainable development across all regions. CoPSR supports Leader programs, rural innovations, and environmental initiatives like forest management and sustainable processing practices. This policy integrates EU, national, and regional resources for comprehensive rural development.

Regional Strategy for Agenda 2030 #

Emilia-Romagna’s Agenda 2030 framework focuses on sustainability, with goals to cover 45% of agricultural land with low-input practices and 25% with organic farming by 2030. It promotes short supply chains, digitalization, and environmentally friendly farming methods. Measures include investments in renewable energy, fairer pricing models, and better market integration for producers. Animal welfare, biosecurity, and sustainable resource use are also priorities. This strategy aligns with global SDG goals, supporting the transition to a circular and inclusive agri-food system.

Patto per il Lavoro e per il Clima #

The “Patto per il Lavoro e per il Clima” is Emilia-Romagna’s strategic agreement for climate-neutrality by 2050, blending job creation with sustainability. It prioritizes renewable energy, eco-friendly infrastructure, and circular economy models. The pact focuses on transitioning the regional agri-food system by encouraging innovation, energy efficiency, and sustainable logistics practices. By involving stakeholders across public and private sectors, it creates a shared pathway for economic growth while meeting stringent climate and sustainability targets.