Resilient food supply in Eastern Mid-Swedish municipalities - policy, planning and practice with a focus on food preparedness and preservation of farmland in a local and regional perspective

The project contributes to research on foodpreparedness and preservation of agricultural land, focusing on the regional and municipal planning, policy and practice.

The study aims to identify obstacles, possibilities and goal conflicts; explore innovative initiatives and possible ways to strengthen the cooperation within and between municipalities.Municipalities have, due to their many responsibilities and remits, a central role regarding food preparedness and preservation of agricultural land.

How municipalities should act in crises and war is regulated in the Law (2006:544) on municipal measures before and during extraordinary events in peacetime as well during heightened alert. Swedish municipalities have planning monopoly for the land which includes agricultural land.

According to the Environment Act, agriculture is of national interest and municipalities ought to adhere to the law regulating agricultural land (MB 3:4).A survey on municipal strategies, planning tools and work to preserve agricultural land and increase local food preparedness will be conducted in the Eastern Mid-Sweden.

This survey will then be followed up by case studies in three selected municipalities.

Knowledge will be co-producted with key actors to strenghten the municipal capacity to promote local and regional food preparedness.

Through a transdisciplinary approach, the project will take on real problems and support the transition towards food systems that are resilient to crises and war.