Your voice. Your food. Your policy.
Menu
CAPaware:
Bringing citizens closer to EU farm policy
Know CAP.
Grow Change.
CAPaware is a European initiative co-funded by the CERV Programme that aims to help citizens understand the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and its significance for food, the environment and the rural communities.
Between 40% and 45% of EU citizens report having limited awareness or understanding of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
While a majority of EU citizens are aware that the CAP exists, only a small percentage of them actually understand its objectives and the benefits it brings.
Awareness levels among youth and urban residents are disproportionately low. This lack of understanding directly leads to weakened trust in EU policies and diminished participation in CAP-related programs.
Policymakers
Gain access to data-driven insights and direct citizen feedback that will strengthen your community relations and help you design better local development strategies.
Women
Share your story, take active leadership role in policy discussions to drive gender equality and inclusive rural transformation, and be inspired by successful women roles models in the agricultural sector
Youth
Understand how agriculture shape your health and wellbeing and make your voice heard in shaping the future European agriculture and Food Policies.
Citizens
Gain clear, accessible information on how European agricultural policies impact your daily life, and use open community platforms to directly voice your vision for sustainable and fair food systems.
Farmers
Benefit from free, practical examples on climate-smart agricultural practices and receive direct guidance on accessing CAP funding opportunities for your farm.
Through participatory activities, we aim to bring citizens closer to EU farm policy and raise awareness about the benefits of CAP.
Our Pathway towards a participatory Policy Change
01
Needs & Awareness Analysis
Assessing current awareness, perceptions, and barriers to civic participation regarding the CAP through targeted surveys and focus groups.
02
Community Dialogues
Fostering inclusive community dialogue via interactive workshops where diverse stakeholders discuss CAP benefits and share their needs and visions.
03
Good Practice Exchange
Facilitating transnational study visits between Greece and Italy to share successful CAP-aligned sustainable practices and local governance models.
04
Policy Influence
Synthesizing the gathered community insights into actionable, citizen-driven policy recommendations to be shared with local, national, and EU authorities.
Food Security and Healthy Lifestyles
Citizen participation in the co-creation of farming policies while promoting gender equality and raising awareness about threats to public participation
For better, fairer, and more inclusive agricultural policies
Fairness and inclusiveness of agricultural markets to ensure equal participation, gender equality, and equitable conditions for farmers.
Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Action
Environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and mitigation of climate change to ensure long-term resilience in European farming.
Sustainable food systems and promotion of nutritious diets by connecting local realities with broader policies.
Fair Value Chains and Social Equity
Rural Development and Generational Renewal
Policy discussions to combat demographic challenges like youth outmigration and attraction to the agricultural sector, and ageing populations.
Demographic Engagement and Inclusion
For information about the EU Common Agricultural Policy, click
Our three pilot regions across Greece and Italy
Known globally as a highly productive agricultural hub for fruit and wine, Naoussa is actively struggling with an aging farming population, youth outmigration and the pressing need for climate adaptation.
This region has a rich agricultural heritage but is currently facing critical socio-economic and environmental challenges, including demographic shifts, severe labor shortages and the impacts of climate change.
As a leading agricultural territory in Italy facing similar rural challenges like depopulation and climate variability, this region is focused on innovation through sustainable farming, renewable energy and cross-border civic dialogue.
Our Expected Impact in Numbers
0
Farmers Mobilized
0
0
Citizens Engaged
Public Workshops
Held
EduQuest, CAPaware Coordinator, Greece
Civil society organization established in a rural area. The organization works locally and internationally at the intersection of education, sustainable development, and social impact, by supporting vulnerable and remote communities to collaborate and exchange good practices in an international environment.
The team behind CAPaware
CBioHub - Circular Bioeconomy, Bioeconomy Expert Organization, Greece
CBioHub is a pioneering non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the principles of circular bioeconomy across Greece and beyond. By focusing on sustainable practices, innovative research, and community education, we seek to drive positive change for a regenerative, resource-efficient future.
Union of Italian Provinces - Emilia Romagna, Partner, Italy
The Union of Italian Provinces – Emilia-Romagna (UPI E-R) represents the provinces of Emilia-Romagna, covering around 3.4 million people across 18,800 km². It promotes their interests at regional, national, and European levels.
UPI E-R supports development by facilitating the exchange of best practices and coordinating joint initiatives, particularly in areas such as environmental protection. It has strong experience in coordination and communication.
Its work focuses on three main areas: institutional representation, European funding and policies, and training for civil servants.