Our food production is embedded in a social, cultural and environmental context and forms a complex network of activities that we must make sustainable if we are to address major global challenges such as climate change and local problems of environmental quality and biodiversity. In addition, geopolitical challenges and conflicts, macroeconomic transformations (e.g. technological innovation), changing values and consumption patterns mean that the food system is subject to rapid change. Agricultural policies are also confronted with large regional disparities, which require a diversified, not too rigid and consensus-based approach to avoid escalating tensions. The climate, environmental and biodiversity objectives that such a policy sets itself also require quantifiable parameters against which the policy can be adjusted, and a good assessment of the feasibility of policy proposals that must be acceptable to stakeholders.

At the European level, a Strategic Dialogue has already been launched, which contains many commendable recommendations for a sustainable European agriculture of the future. However, these recommendations remain rather vague on important points, which is why LIAS aims to bring together international experts in this project to arrive at concrete policy recommendations for making the food system more sustainable, based on the following themes. The focus is on the EU and on Flanders in particular, but of course the international context is also important.

1. What measures should be taken to mitigate the local impacts of our food system on biodiversity and environmental quality and on the climate? What is the role of knowledge and innovation, and of measures on the consumption side? How can efforts to address these two major challenges be translated into European agricultural policy?
2. What are the local socio-economic consequences of increasing sustainability (taking into account farmers' incomes, market forces, effects on the chain, new revenue models, social aspects, etc.)? How can we best formulate policies in this regard
3. What is the international context for sustainability efforts? What is the role of geopolitical challenges, competitive position, food security and international trade, and what policies are recommended?

LIAS working groups typically go through four phases:

1. An interdisciplinary working group of Leuven scientists identifies the crucial questions for the issue and makes suggestions for possible answers. This LIAS project builds on the vision statement “Sustainable agricultural production and societal challenges” published by Metaforum on 30 September 2024. A coordinating core group from the Metaforum working group then selected international fellows and junior fellows and invited them to participate in a project period in Leuven. (October 2025)

During the stay of the international LIAS fellows, there will be intensive collaboration on the theme. Fellows have an office in Hollands College, where the working seminars also take place. In these seminars, the discussion papers will be critically examined and international experiences and insights will be discussed. The presence of fellows will also be used to explain the issues to a wider audience in lectures and public panel discussions (16 October 2025: 'A sustainable food system in Europe. What can Europe learn from Denmark's approach?“ and 23 October 2025: 'Food security in Sub-Saharan Africa').

Thanks to LIAS, the international specialists also find their way to the departments and faculties of KU Leuven, where they can collaborate with colleagues within their own research discipline.

2. After the fellows' visit, the Leuven working group will incorporate the international insights into a vision statement that specifically discusses the Belgian context and contains concrete policy recommendations. This text will be discussed with social stakeholders who can share their experiences in the field. International fellows may continue to work on a scientific output (spring 2026).

3. The Leuven working group will incorporate the comments of the stakeholders into a position paper that will be presented at a public event (expected in autumn 2026).