When Financial Times, the London-based global financial news behemoth takes notice of our broken food system, it is a clear indication that things need to change, but how? As the article argues, the disruptions due to the Coronavirus have exposed the fragility and weaknesses of our global food systems, and there is an acute need for change while building resilience for the existing system. The part about change is correct, we do need change, but the part about building resilience for the existing system is a bit tricky, as it raises the question about what exactly should we be focusing on making resilient? If the current global networks are unsustainable, why waste resources propping up those systems?

Fortunately, the unsustainability of global food networks has been visible for a while, and local food movements have gained prominence as a response. This is why YDIRE, our current project funded under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the funding disbursed through the Regional Development of the Association of Southern Ostrobothnia, and led by Annika Tidström, along with our partners SeAMK and Ruralia, comes at an opportune moment. With its focus on creating resilient local food systems supported through innovative networks and digital tools, YDIRE has deliberately chosen a system that already exists to help support and develop it further. This is what makes the project extraordinarily exciting, and as the activities gain traction there will be plenty to share in terms of insights and learnings, so watch this space.

– Rumy Narayan