“Proximity Matters: Transdisciplinary joint teaching activities to foster collaborative networks between local food producers and tourism/leisure entrepreneurs, under sustainable development and climate change prismas” is an international academic project that analyses proximity-based market channels. Through the joint work of students and teachers from various universities, the project seeks to understand how to strengthen local agri-food systems and promote rural development in the context of climate change.
The project is carried out through theoretical phases combined with applied fieldwork:
- University of Wrocław: the team focused on the Dobków region and the “Land of Extinct Volcanoes” Geopark. After a literature review, they conducted interviews with local producers and entrepreneurs to prepare a SWOT analysis of proximity food channels.
- University of Padua: students from UNIPD’s Master’s Degree in Food and Wine investigated the impact of climate change on production and tourism. The group conducted surveys in farmers’ markets and visited social cooperatives like “La Lanterna di Diogene”, where agriculture is combined with social inclusivity.
- University of Granada: the work has focused on the Alpujarra region. Through surveys and field trips to municipalities such as Trevélez and Pitres, students analysed key sectors like PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) ham production and artisanal chocolate factories to identify the strengths of local trade.
The universities of Minho and Graz will begin their activities soon, expanding the scope of this comparative study.
This platform serves as a space to share the results obtained, connecting scientific knowledge with the reality of rural producers and consumers. The final goal is to propose strategies that improve the sustainability of our food systems.
