Enhancing the transformative potential of agroecology in Europe by examining the common ground and specificities between social movements and institutional definitions

In the past 10 years, various efforts have been made by inter-governmental expert panels, United Nations agencies, and social movements to define agroecology, resulting in the co-existence of different definitions. We explore the emergence of the three main definitions of agroecology, namely those of the FAO, of the Nyéléni Declaration, and of the High Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) of the Committee on World Food Security, through literature search and first-hand experience. We examine specificities and correspondences among the principles of the three definitions. While most principles associated with the three definitions align, we identify five principles that are central to the Nyéléni definition and are omitted, or more peripheral in the FAO and HLPE definitions, namely: (i) the incompatibility of agrotoxics, GMOs and related technologies with agroecology, (ii) the spiritual and non-commodified connection to the land, (iii) a feminist and intersectional approach, (iv) the need to challenge global power structures and, (v) the crucial role of collective self-organization and action to advance agroecology. We discuss the risks and implications of omitting them, or leaving them implicit, for science, policy, and practice in the European context. We conclude that making them explicit would facilitate a more coherent transition toward long-lasting sustainable food systems.