05 Sep New Expert Assignment for the Urban Agenda for the EU Partnership on Food
Kostas Karamarkos participates as an external expert in the Urban Agenda for the EU Partnership on Food, supporting the implementation of Actions 3 and 5 of the Partnership’s Action Plan. The assignment contributes to the Partnership’s efforts to strengthen sustainable urban food systems and improve the links between local food policies, regional development instruments and land-use planning.
Connecting local food strategies with regional innovation
Under Action 3, the work focuses on improving the connection between local and urban food strategies, Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3/RIS3) and regional funding programmes. Although cities play an increasingly active role in developing sustainable food policies, many local strategies remain insufficiently connected to regional innovation priorities and available investment instruments. Addressing this gap can help cities and regions mobilise funding, develop stronger project pipelines and integrate food-related priorities into wider economic and territorial development strategies.
The expert support includes policy analysis, the identification of relevant practices and instruments, stakeholder engagement and the preparation of practical recommendations. It also facilitates dialogue between cities, regions, Managing Authorities and other actors involved in food policy, innovation and Cohesion Policy.
Integrating food systems into land-use planning
Action 5 examines the relationship between sustainable food systems and land use. It explores how spatial planning and land-management approaches can protect productive land, support peri-urban agriculture and strengthen the resilience of urban and regional food systems.
The work includes the identification and assessment of relevant European cases, knowledge exchange between participating cities and stakeholders, and the development of transferable conclusions that can inform future policy and planning decisions.
Through the two Actions, the Partnership seeks to bring food policy closer to the mainstream of urban and regional development — connecting local initiatives with regional strategies, funding opportunities and land-use decisions.
The assignment builds on Kostas Karamarkos’ extensive experience in integrated urban and regional development, Smart Specialisation, Cohesion Policy, sustainable territorial transformation, local food systems and multi-level governance.
