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Bálint Balázs

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Executive Manager and Senior Research Fellow of the Environmental Social Science Research Group (ESSRG), a small R&D enterprise working on the boundaries of environmental and social sciences practised in a trans-disciplinary approach.
Board member of the Environment & Society Research Network of the European Sociological Association.

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Osman GÜLDEMİR

Anadolu University

Kansas State University

Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile

João Pedro Gomes

Escola Superior de Educação de Coimbra

İzmir Demokrasi Üniversitesi / İzmir Democracy University

Viacheslav Kuleshov

Stockholm University

Marcin Wojtasik

University of Warsaw

AKHMAD RIZQUL KARIM

Jenderal Soedirman University

Metropolitan State University

Eduardo Malagon- Zaldua

University of the Basque Country, Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea

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Papers by Bálint Balázs

Community agriculture and the narrative construction of change

Social Innovation and Sustainable Consumption

Farmers’ markets, food cooperatives, pick- your-own harvesting and other forms of short food- sup... more Farmers’ markets, food cooperatives, pick- your-own harvesting and other forms of short food- supply chains have a long history in Hungary and, despite their declining share in household food sourcing, they are still regarded as the good old, traditional source of food. Growing demand for local food is fuelled by environmental concerns, explicit patriotic (political) attitudes and state support. Product features like “local”, “regional” or “Hungarian” became values of their own in certain consumer segments. In Hungary, buying local and seasonal food is one of the most popular consumer behavioural forms to combat climate change (Eurobarometer 2014). Responding to open consumer attitudes, some forms of local food systems, like local food markets with strong sustainability missions, artisan food products and regionally labelled food, have been reinvented as well in the past decade. Their revival largely resulted from supportive governmental policies and the availability of public funds for infrastructural development, marketing promotions, and consumer campaigns.

Community-building through food self-provisioning in central and eastern Europe

Routledge Handbook Of Food As A Commons, 2018

Local Food System Development in Hungary

International Journal of the Sociology of Agriculture and Food, 2012

This article examines local food system (LFS) development pathways in the context of recent regul... more This article examines local food system (LFS) development pathways in the context of recent regulatory reforms in Hungary implemented to promote local product sales and short food supply chains (SFSCs). Taking a SFSC approach, two case studies demonstrate how new types of local food systems initiated by non-farmers attempt to shorten the distance between consumers and producers. The findings are based on qualitative key informant interviews and a consumer attitude survey data that seek to identify how LFSs promote or enact sustainable food supply and how consumers perceive the nature of the relationships between consumers and producers. The results from the ‘Godoll? Local Food Council’ and the ‘Szekszard local food system’ show various specificities and challenges of new types of emerging urban civic food networks. The article concludes by pointing to critical factors and tools for developing LFSs, as well as reflecting on the role of original research to facilitate change for a mor...

Thinking food like an East European: A critical reflection on the framing of food systems

Journal of Rural Studies, 2020

Highlights • Food practices which are marginal in the West are widely encountered in Eastern Euro... more Highlights • Food practices which are marginal in the West are widely encountered in Eastern Europe. • These practices located at the intersection of the formal market and non-market economies. • They are based on the entangling of binaries considered to stand in opposition. • This makes Eastern Europe a source of innovative and critical thinking about AFNs.

Report on Co-design of Policy Analysis. Deliverable 7.1 for the EU-H2020 funded project, 'TRansition paths to sUstainable legume-based systems in Europe' (TRUE)

This report, ‘Creating an effective science-policy interface to support legume supported cropping... more This report, ‘Creating an effective science-policy interface to support legume supported cropping systems and food and feed supply chains’, will be co-developed via TRUE partners especially those involved in developing the Innovation Case Studies, Legume Innovation Networks and the ISAB and other associated partners. The report will advance reflective learning techniques for policy assessment. The main output will be a summary of specific research and information needs, an outline of stakeholders’ interests in knowledge exchange, and identification of desired communication tools to advance the project - especially with a view to effective policy impact.

Priorities for social science and humanities research on the challenges of moving beyond animal-based food systems

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2021

Increasingly high-profile research is being undertaken into the socio-environmental challenges as... more Increasingly high-profile research is being undertaken into the socio-environmental challenges associated with the over-production and consumption of food from animals. Transforming food systems to mitigate climate change and hidden hunger, ensure food security and good health all point to reducing animal-based foods as a key lever. Moving beyond animal-based food systems is a societal grand challenge requiring coordinated international research by the social sciences and humanities. A ‘selective openness’ to this range of disciplines has been observed within multi-discipline research programmes designed to address societal grand challenges including those concerned with the sustainability of food systems, inhibiting the impact of social sciences and humanities. Further, existing research on animal-based foods within these disciplines is largely dispersed and focused on particular parts of food systems. Inspired by the ‘Sutherland Method’ this paper discusses the results of an itera...

Case study report: La Vía Campesina

WP 4 - Project Full Title: “Transformative Social Innovation Theory project” Grant Agreement n. 6... more

Transformative social innovation : A summary report of the case study on La Vía Campesina

Juarez, P.; Balázs, B.; Trentini, F.; Korzenszky, A. and Becerra, L. (2016)Transformative social ... more

Short Food Supply Chains and Local Food Systems in the EU. A State of Play of their Socio-Economic Characteristics

The present study aims at describing the state-of-play of short food supply chains (SFSC) in the ... more The present study aims at describing the state-of-play of short food supply chains (SFSC) in the EU understood as being the chains in which foods involved are identified by, and traceable to a farmer and for which the number of intermediaries between farmer and consumer should be minimal or ideally nil. Several types of SFSCs can be identified, for example CSAs (Community-Supported Agriculture), on-farm sales, off-farm schemes (farmers markets, delivery schemes), collective sales in particular towards public institutions, being mostly local / proximity sales and in some cases distance sales. Such type of food chain has specific social impacts, economic impacts at regional and farm level as well as environmental impacts translating themselves into a clear interest of consumers. SFSCs are present throughout the EU, although there are some differences in the different MS in terms of dominating types of SFSCs. In general, they are dominantly small or micro-enterprises, composed of small...

Thinking food like an East European: A critical reflection on the framing of food systems

Journal of Rural Studies, 2020

Highlights • Food practices which are marginal in the West are widely encountered in Eastern Euro... more Highlights • Food practices which are marginal in the West are widely encountered in Eastern Europe. • These practices located at the intersection of the formal market and non-market economies. • They are based on the entangling of binaries considered to stand in opposition. • This makes Eastern Europe a source of innovative and critical thinking about AFNs.

Priorities for social science and humanities research on the challenges of moving beyond animal-based food systems

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2021

Increasingly high-profile research is being undertaken into the socio-environmental challenges as... more Increasingly high-profile research is being undertaken into the socio-environmental challenges associated with the over-production and consumption of food from animals. Transforming food systems to mitigate climate change and hidden hunger, ensure food security and good health all point to reducing animal-based foods as a key lever. Moving beyond animal-based food systems is a societal grand challenge requiring coordinated international research by the social sciences and humanities. A ‘selective openness’ to this range of disciplines has been observed within multi-discipline research programmes designed to address societal grand challenges including those concerned with the sustainability of food systems, inhibiting the impact of social sciences and humanities. Further, existing research on animal-based foods within these disciplines is largely dispersed and focused on particular parts of food systems. Inspired by the ‘Sutherland Method’ this paper discusses the results of an itera...

Citizen science in the social sciences and humanities: the power of interdisciplinarity

Palgrave Communications, 2020

Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study an... more Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study and a participatory method of enquiry. While most citizen science projects take place within problem-focused natural sciences, social sciences and humanities help understanding the human dimension and open a broad methodological spectrum for enriching scientific research with new approaches and for boosting public participation. In this paper, we use a meta-synthesis approach to explore how citizen science is practised in the so far less addressed social sciences and humanities by focusing on the role of the citizens, the goals and approaches of the projects, the tasks in which citizens are engaged and their gains across projects of diverse disciplinary background. Our findings indicate that social sciences are gaining more acknowledgment within interdisciplinary citizen science projects by addressing ‘wicked’ problems of human behaviour and agency, while humanities are in quest of a bette...

Citizen science in the social sciences and humanities: the power of interdisciplinarity

Palgrave Communications, 2020

Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study an... more Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study and a participatory method of enquiry. While most citizen science projects take place within problem-focused natural sciences, social sciences and humanities help understanding the human dimension and open a broad methodological spectrum for enriching scientific research with new approaches and for boosting public participation. In this paper, we use a meta-synthesis approach to explore how citizen science is practised in the so far less addressed social sciences and humanities by focusing on the role of the citizens, the goals and approaches of the projects, the tasks in which citizens are engaged and their gains across projects of diverse disciplinary background. Our findings indicate that social sciences are gaining more acknowledgment within interdisciplinary citizen science projects by addressing ‘wicked’ problems of human behaviour and agency, while humanities are in quest of a bette...

Citizen Science and Sustainability Transitions

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019

Citizen Science (CS) projects involve members of the general public as active participants in res... more Citizen Science (CS) projects involve members of the general public as active participants in research. While some advocates hope that CS can increase scientific knowledge production ("productivity view"), others emphasize that it may bridge a perceived gap between science and the broader society ("democratization view"). We discuss how an integration of both views can allow Citizen Science to support complex sustainability transitions in areas such as renewable energy, public health, or environmental conservation. We first identify three pathways through which such impacts can occur: (1) Problem identification and agenda setting; (2) Resource mobilization; and (3) Facilitating socio-technical co-evolution. To realize this potential, however, CS needs to address important challenges that emerge especially in the context of sustainability transitions: Increasing the diversity, level, and intensity of participation; addressing the social as well as technical nature of sustainability problems; and reducing tensions between CS and the traditional institution of academic science. Grounded in a review of academic literature and policy reports as well as a broad range of case examples, this article contributes to scholarship on science, innovation, and sustainability transitions. We also offer insights for actors involved in initiating or institutionalizing Citizen Science efforts, including project organizers, funding agencies, and policy makers.

A magyarországi természetvédelem legfontosabb 50 kutatási kérdése a következő 5 évben

Cooperative research for bottom-up food sovereignty and policy change

Action Research in Policy Analysis, 2018

This chapter analyses the bottom-up networking for food sovereignty in Hungary that has succeeded... more This chapter analyses the bottom-up networking for food sovereignty in Hungary that has succeeded in transforming the regulations for local food systems. Following a cooperative research approach, a cooperation of researchers and practitioners shaped the agenda of the Food Sovereignty Network in Hungary. The chapter describes how researchers, practitioners and CSOs successfully launched an advocacy campaign for the modification of the Smallholder Decree that was adopted by the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development jointly with the Ministries of Health and Social Affairs and Employment in 2006. The new smallholder decree is more favourable for small farmers and enables them to take full advantage of the continued use of traditional methods at any stage of production, processing or distribution of food specified by regulation on the hygiene of foodstuffs. We argue that cooperative research is a suitable approach to build links and strengthen collaboration between scientific and practice-based knowledge production, to explore common problem framings and, furthermore, to initiate meaningful policy change through co-creating an evidence base and collective actions for policy change. The chapter concludes by reflecting on the key promises and challenges of our cooperative research approach, combining critical and practical impacts towards structural change.

Current status and future prospect of local food production in Hungary: a spatial analysis

European Planning Studies, 2015

There is an increasing interest in Hungary to relocalize food. Spatial patterns and development p... more There is an increasing interest in Hungary to relocalize food. Spatial patterns and development potential of local food systems (LFSs) are analysed in this paper to help spatial planning practices. A composite Policy Intervention for Food Relocalization Index (PIFRI) is introduced to quantitatively reveal how rural development programme measures should be allocated efficiently to promote local food production. PIFRI points out lagging areas and hidden dimensions of development that need further support, and thus helps setting desirable and realistic policy goals. Besides socioeconomic processes, biophysical limitations (availability of agricultural areas) are also accounted for. Results show that LFS development is at an early stage in Hungary. The present level of local food activity and future prospects mismatch. Eastern Hungary has the highest potential for further development as it has relatively widespread and intensive local food production activity. The few small-scale farmers operating in the Budapest area have been already engaged in short food supply chains to enjoy various benefits (and higher profit). Results imply a complex mix of several underlying causes behind the experienced patterns.

Citizen science in the social sciences and humanities: the power of interdisciplinarity

Palgrave Communications, 2020

Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study an... more Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study and a participatory method of enquiry. While most citizen science projects take place within problem-focused natural sciences, social sciences and humanities help understanding the human dimension and open a broad methodological spectrum for enriching scientific research with new approaches and for boosting public participation. In this paper, we use a meta-synthesis approach to explore how citizen science is practised in the so far less addressed social sciences and humanities by focusing on the role of the citizens, the goals and approaches of the projects, the tasks in which citizens are engaged and their gains across projects of diverse disciplinary background. Our findings indicate that social sciences are gaining more acknowledgment within interdisciplinary citizen science projects by addressing ‘wicked’ problems of human behaviour and agency, while humanities are in quest of a bette...

The Field Hearings Participatory Monitoring for Accountability Platform: Utilizing Initiative for Equality’s “Equity & Sustainability Field Hearings” network to help achieve more equitable and sustainable development

http://www.worldwewant2015.org/node/462562

Citizen Science and Sustainability Transitions

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019

Citizen Science (CS) projects involve members of the general public as active participants in res... more Citizen Science (CS) projects involve members of the general public as active participants in research. While some advocates hope that CS can increase scientific knowledge production ("productivity view"), others emphasize that it may bridge a perceived gap between science and the broader society ("democratization view"). We discuss how an integration of both views can allow Citizen Science to support complex sustainability transitions in areas such as renewable energy, public health, or environmental conservation. We first identify three pathways through which such impacts can occur: (1) Problem identification and agenda setting; (2) Resource mobilization; and (3) Facilitating socio-technical co-evolution. To realize this potential, however, CS needs to address important challenges that emerge especially in the context of sustainability transitions: Increasing the diversity, level, and intensity of participation; addressing the social as well as technical nature of sustainability problems; and reducing tensions between CS and the traditional institution of academic science. Grounded in a review of academic literature and policy reports as well as a broad range of case examples, this article contributes to scholarship on science, innovation, and sustainability transitions. We also offer insights for actors involved in initiating or institutionalizing Citizen Science efforts, including project organizers, funding agencies, and policy makers.

Community agriculture and the narrative construction of change

Social Innovation and Sustainable Consumption

Farmers’ markets, food cooperatives, pick- your-own harvesting and other forms of short food- sup... more Farmers’ markets, food cooperatives, pick- your-own harvesting and other forms of short food- supply chains have a long history in Hungary and, despite their declining share in household food sourcing, they are still regarded as the good old, traditional source of food. Growing demand for local food is fuelled by environmental concerns, explicit patriotic (political) attitudes and state support. Product features like “local”, “regional” or “Hungarian” became values of their own in certain consumer segments. In Hungary, buying local and seasonal food is one of the most popular consumer behavioural forms to combat climate change (Eurobarometer 2014). Responding to open consumer attitudes, some forms of local food systems, like local food markets with strong sustainability missions, artisan food products and regionally labelled food, have been reinvented as well in the past decade. Their revival largely resulted from supportive governmental policies and the availability of public funds for infrastructural development, marketing promotions, and consumer campaigns.

Community-building through food self-provisioning in central and eastern Europe

Routledge Handbook Of Food As A Commons, 2018

Local Food System Development in Hungary

International Journal of the Sociology of Agriculture and Food, 2012

This article examines local food system (LFS) development pathways in the context of recent regul... more This article examines local food system (LFS) development pathways in the context of recent regulatory reforms in Hungary implemented to promote local product sales and short food supply chains (SFSCs). Taking a SFSC approach, two case studies demonstrate how new types of local food systems initiated by non-farmers attempt to shorten the distance between consumers and producers. The findings are based on qualitative key informant interviews and a consumer attitude survey data that seek to identify how LFSs promote or enact sustainable food supply and how consumers perceive the nature of the relationships between consumers and producers. The results from the ‘Godoll? Local Food Council’ and the ‘Szekszard local food system’ show various specificities and challenges of new types of emerging urban civic food networks. The article concludes by pointing to critical factors and tools for developing LFSs, as well as reflecting on the role of original research to facilitate change for a mor...

Thinking food like an East European: A critical reflection on the framing of food systems

Journal of Rural Studies, 2020

Highlights • Food practices which are marginal in the West are widely encountered in Eastern Euro... more Highlights • Food practices which are marginal in the West are widely encountered in Eastern Europe. • These practices located at the intersection of the formal market and non-market economies. • They are based on the entangling of binaries considered to stand in opposition. • This makes Eastern Europe a source of innovative and critical thinking about AFNs.

Report on Co-design of Policy Analysis. Deliverable 7.1 for the EU-H2020 funded project, 'TRansition paths to sUstainable legume-based systems in Europe' (TRUE)

This report, ‘Creating an effective science-policy interface to support legume supported cropping... more This report, ‘Creating an effective science-policy interface to support legume supported cropping systems and food and feed supply chains’, will be co-developed via TRUE partners especially those involved in developing the Innovation Case Studies, Legume Innovation Networks and the ISAB and other associated partners. The report will advance reflective learning techniques for policy assessment. The main output will be a summary of specific research and information needs, an outline of stakeholders’ interests in knowledge exchange, and identification of desired communication tools to advance the project - especially with a view to effective policy impact.

Priorities for social science and humanities research on the challenges of moving beyond animal-based food systems

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2021

Increasingly high-profile research is being undertaken into the socio-environmental challenges as... more Increasingly high-profile research is being undertaken into the socio-environmental challenges associated with the over-production and consumption of food from animals. Transforming food systems to mitigate climate change and hidden hunger, ensure food security and good health all point to reducing animal-based foods as a key lever. Moving beyond animal-based food systems is a societal grand challenge requiring coordinated international research by the social sciences and humanities. A ‘selective openness’ to this range of disciplines has been observed within multi-discipline research programmes designed to address societal grand challenges including those concerned with the sustainability of food systems, inhibiting the impact of social sciences and humanities. Further, existing research on animal-based foods within these disciplines is largely dispersed and focused on particular parts of food systems. Inspired by the ‘Sutherland Method’ this paper discusses the results of an itera...

Case study report: La Vía Campesina

WP 4 - Project Full Title: “Transformative Social Innovation Theory project” Grant Agreement n. 6... more

Transformative social innovation : A summary report of the case study on La Vía Campesina

Juarez, P.; Balázs, B.; Trentini, F.; Korzenszky, A. and Becerra, L. (2016)Transformative social ... more

Short Food Supply Chains and Local Food Systems in the EU. A State of Play of their Socio-Economic Characteristics

The present study aims at describing the state-of-play of short food supply chains (SFSC) in the ... more The present study aims at describing the state-of-play of short food supply chains (SFSC) in the EU understood as being the chains in which foods involved are identified by, and traceable to a farmer and for which the number of intermediaries between farmer and consumer should be minimal or ideally nil. Several types of SFSCs can be identified, for example CSAs (Community-Supported Agriculture), on-farm sales, off-farm schemes (farmers markets, delivery schemes), collective sales in particular towards public institutions, being mostly local / proximity sales and in some cases distance sales. Such type of food chain has specific social impacts, economic impacts at regional and farm level as well as environmental impacts translating themselves into a clear interest of consumers. SFSCs are present throughout the EU, although there are some differences in the different MS in terms of dominating types of SFSCs. In general, they are dominantly small or micro-enterprises, composed of small...

Thinking food like an East European: A critical reflection on the framing of food systems

Journal of Rural Studies, 2020

Highlights • Food practices which are marginal in the West are widely encountered in Eastern Euro... more Highlights • Food practices which are marginal in the West are widely encountered in Eastern Europe. • These practices located at the intersection of the formal market and non-market economies. • They are based on the entangling of binaries considered to stand in opposition. • This makes Eastern Europe a source of innovative and critical thinking about AFNs.

Priorities for social science and humanities research on the challenges of moving beyond animal-based food systems

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2021

Increasingly high-profile research is being undertaken into the socio-environmental challenges as... more Increasingly high-profile research is being undertaken into the socio-environmental challenges associated with the over-production and consumption of food from animals. Transforming food systems to mitigate climate change and hidden hunger, ensure food security and good health all point to reducing animal-based foods as a key lever. Moving beyond animal-based food systems is a societal grand challenge requiring coordinated international research by the social sciences and humanities. A ‘selective openness’ to this range of disciplines has been observed within multi-discipline research programmes designed to address societal grand challenges including those concerned with the sustainability of food systems, inhibiting the impact of social sciences and humanities. Further, existing research on animal-based foods within these disciplines is largely dispersed and focused on particular parts of food systems. Inspired by the ‘Sutherland Method’ this paper discusses the results of an itera...

Citizen science in the social sciences and humanities: the power of interdisciplinarity

Palgrave Communications, 2020

Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study an... more Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study and a participatory method of enquiry. While most citizen science projects take place within problem-focused natural sciences, social sciences and humanities help understanding the human dimension and open a broad methodological spectrum for enriching scientific research with new approaches and for boosting public participation. In this paper, we use a meta-synthesis approach to explore how citizen science is practised in the so far less addressed social sciences and humanities by focusing on the role of the citizens, the goals and approaches of the projects, the tasks in which citizens are engaged and their gains across projects of diverse disciplinary background. Our findings indicate that social sciences are gaining more acknowledgment within interdisciplinary citizen science projects by addressing ‘wicked’ problems of human behaviour and agency, while humanities are in quest of a bette...

Citizen science in the social sciences and humanities: the power of interdisciplinarity

Palgrave Communications, 2020

Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study an... more Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study and a participatory method of enquiry. While most citizen science projects take place within problem-focused natural sciences, social sciences and humanities help understanding the human dimension and open a broad methodological spectrum for enriching scientific research with new approaches and for boosting public participation. In this paper, we use a meta-synthesis approach to explore how citizen science is practised in the so far less addressed social sciences and humanities by focusing on the role of the citizens, the goals and approaches of the projects, the tasks in which citizens are engaged and their gains across projects of diverse disciplinary background. Our findings indicate that social sciences are gaining more acknowledgment within interdisciplinary citizen science projects by addressing ‘wicked’ problems of human behaviour and agency, while humanities are in quest of a bette...

Citizen Science and Sustainability Transitions

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019

Citizen Science (CS) projects involve members of the general public as active participants in res... more Citizen Science (CS) projects involve members of the general public as active participants in research. While some advocates hope that CS can increase scientific knowledge production ("productivity view"), others emphasize that it may bridge a perceived gap between science and the broader society ("democratization view"). We discuss how an integration of both views can allow Citizen Science to support complex sustainability transitions in areas such as renewable energy, public health, or environmental conservation. We first identify three pathways through which such impacts can occur: (1) Problem identification and agenda setting; (2) Resource mobilization; and (3) Facilitating socio-technical co-evolution. To realize this potential, however, CS needs to address important challenges that emerge especially in the context of sustainability transitions: Increasing the diversity, level, and intensity of participation; addressing the social as well as technical nature of sustainability problems; and reducing tensions between CS and the traditional institution of academic science. Grounded in a review of academic literature and policy reports as well as a broad range of case examples, this article contributes to scholarship on science, innovation, and sustainability transitions. We also offer insights for actors involved in initiating or institutionalizing Citizen Science efforts, including project organizers, funding agencies, and policy makers.

A magyarországi természetvédelem legfontosabb 50 kutatási kérdése a következő 5 évben

Cooperative research for bottom-up food sovereignty and policy change

Action Research in Policy Analysis, 2018

This chapter analyses the bottom-up networking for food sovereignty in Hungary that has succeeded... more This chapter analyses the bottom-up networking for food sovereignty in Hungary that has succeeded in transforming the regulations for local food systems. Following a cooperative research approach, a cooperation of researchers and practitioners shaped the agenda of the Food Sovereignty Network in Hungary. The chapter describes how researchers, practitioners and CSOs successfully launched an advocacy campaign for the modification of the Smallholder Decree that was adopted by the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development jointly with the Ministries of Health and Social Affairs and Employment in 2006. The new smallholder decree is more favourable for small farmers and enables them to take full advantage of the continued use of traditional methods at any stage of production, processing or distribution of food specified by regulation on the hygiene of foodstuffs. We argue that cooperative research is a suitable approach to build links and strengthen collaboration between scientific and practice-based knowledge production, to explore common problem framings and, furthermore, to initiate meaningful policy change through co-creating an evidence base and collective actions for policy change. The chapter concludes by reflecting on the key promises and challenges of our cooperative research approach, combining critical and practical impacts towards structural change.

Current status and future prospect of local food production in Hungary: a spatial analysis

European Planning Studies, 2015

There is an increasing interest in Hungary to relocalize food. Spatial patterns and development p... more There is an increasing interest in Hungary to relocalize food. Spatial patterns and development potential of local food systems (LFSs) are analysed in this paper to help spatial planning practices. A composite Policy Intervention for Food Relocalization Index (PIFRI) is introduced to quantitatively reveal how rural development programme measures should be allocated efficiently to promote local food production. PIFRI points out lagging areas and hidden dimensions of development that need further support, and thus helps setting desirable and realistic policy goals. Besides socioeconomic processes, biophysical limitations (availability of agricultural areas) are also accounted for. Results show that LFS development is at an early stage in Hungary. The present level of local food activity and future prospects mismatch. Eastern Hungary has the highest potential for further development as it has relatively widespread and intensive local food production activity. The few small-scale farmers operating in the Budapest area have been already engaged in short food supply chains to enjoy various benefits (and higher profit). Results imply a complex mix of several underlying causes behind the experienced patterns.

Citizen science in the social sciences and humanities: the power of interdisciplinarity

Palgrave Communications, 2020

Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study an... more Citizen science evolved through multiple disciplinary manifestations into a new field of study and a participatory method of enquiry. While most citizen science projects take place within problem-focused natural sciences, social sciences and humanities help understanding the human dimension and open a broad methodological spectrum for enriching scientific research with new approaches and for boosting public participation. In this paper, we use a meta-synthesis approach to explore how citizen science is practised in the so far less addressed social sciences and humanities by focusing on the role of the citizens, the goals and approaches of the projects, the tasks in which citizens are engaged and their gains across projects of diverse disciplinary background. Our findings indicate that social sciences are gaining more acknowledgment within interdisciplinary citizen science projects by addressing ‘wicked’ problems of human behaviour and agency, while humanities are in quest of a bette...

The Field Hearings Participatory Monitoring for Accountability Platform: Utilizing Initiative for Equality’s “Equity & Sustainability Field Hearings” network to help achieve more equitable and sustainable development

http://www.worldwewant2015.org/node/462562

Citizen Science and Sustainability Transitions

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019

Citizen Science (CS) projects involve members of the general public as active participants in res... more Citizen Science (CS) projects involve members of the general public as active participants in research. While some advocates hope that CS can increase scientific knowledge production ("productivity view"), others emphasize that it may bridge a perceived gap between science and the broader society ("democratization view"). We discuss how an integration of both views can allow Citizen Science to support complex sustainability transitions in areas such as renewable energy, public health, or environmental conservation. We first identify three pathways through which such impacts can occur: (1) Problem identification and agenda setting; (2) Resource mobilization; and (3) Facilitating socio-technical co-evolution. To realize this potential, however, CS needs to address important challenges that emerge especially in the context of sustainability transitions: Increasing the diversity, level, and intensity of participation; addressing the social as well as technical nature of sustainability problems; and reducing tensions between CS and the traditional institution of academic science. Grounded in a review of academic literature and policy reports as well as a broad range of case examples, this article contributes to scholarship on science, innovation, and sustainability transitions. We also offer insights for actors involved in initiating or institutionalizing Citizen Science efforts, including project organizers, funding agencies, and policy makers.

Models of (Future) Society: Bringing Social Theories Back in Backcasting

by Gábor Király, György Pataki, and Bálint Balázs

From Uberisation to Commoning: Experiences, Challenges, and Potential Pathways of the Sharing Economy in Food Supply Chains in Europe.

Česnuitytė V., Klimczuk A., Miguel C., Avram G. (eds) The Sharing Economy in Europe. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86897-0_7, 2022

The chapter explores a broad dimensionality of experiences, learnings, challenges, and potential ... more The chapter explores a broad dimensionality of experiences, learnings, challenges, and potential pathways of the sharing economy in food supply chains. Through technology-enabled business applications, the mobilisation of underutilised assets has been successfully facilitated in the foodservice industry. Community-based models have been relying on the mutual risk-sharing of producers and consumers. Service models and the uberisation of food, when contract workers use their personal vehicles to deliver food to customers, has gained more acknowledgement during the COVID-19 times. Based on our qualitative study, various peer-to-peer production and collaborative consumption initiatives are presented in this chapter to assess how the idea of sharing economy entered the food sector. Our arguments are substantiated with varied case examples at multiple value chain points (e.g., production, processing, transport, and consumption).

Community-building through food self-provisioning in Central and Eastern Europe: an analysis through the food commons framework

Vivero-Pol, J. L., Ferrando, T., de Schutter, O., & Mattei, U. Routledge Handbook of Food as a Commons, 2018

The major purpose of this chapter is to show how FSP enables food as a commons and helps to build... more The major purpose of this chapter is to show how FSP enables food as a commons and helps to build strong communities. The first part presents a detailed case study on the participants’ motivations to undertake FSP, which is based on interviews conducted in Hungary and which is used to point out how FSP creates communities. The second part explores food as a commons from various perspectives.

Community agriculture and the narrative construction of change

by Bálint Balázs and Gulyás Emese

Farmers’ markets, food cooperatives, pick- your-own harvesting and other forms of short food- sup... more Farmers’ markets, food cooperatives, pick- your-own harvesting and other forms of short food- supply chains have a long history in Hungary and, despite their declining share in household food sourcing, they are still regarded as the good old, traditional source of food. Growing demand for local food is fuelled by environmental concerns, explicit patriotic (political) attitudes and state support. Product features like “local”, “regional” or “Hungarian” became values of their own in certain consumer segments. In Hungary, buying local and seasonal food is one of the most popular consumer behavioural forms to combat climate change (Eurobarometer 2014). Responding to open consumer attitudes, some forms of local food systems, like local food markets with strong sustainability missions, artisan food products and regionally labelled food, have been reinvented as well in the past decade. Their revival largely resulted from supportive governmental policies and the availability of public funds for infrastructural development, marketing promotions, and consumer campaigns.

Chapter III. Eco-Agri-Food Systems: today's realities and tomorrow's challenges

Chapter 3 provides an overview of the diversity of agriculture and food systems, each with differ... more Chapter 3 provides an overview of the diversity of
agriculture and food systems, each with different
contributions to global food security, impacts on the
natural resource base and ways of working through
food system supply chains. We describe “eco-agri-food
systems” and further identify their many manifestations
through a review of typologies. We identify challenges
ahead with existing systems due to prevailing economic
and political pressures resulting in patterns of invisible
flows and impacts across global food systems. We
describe pathways to ensure sustainability by securing
the benefits from working with, rather than against,
natural systems and ecosystem processes and the
challenges for farmers, communities and societies to
reorient food value chains and build resilience in eco-agrifood
systems.

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