EESC calls for stronger recognition and support for social farming in EU policies
- Rural Pact
- Rural Revitalisation Platform
- Stronger Rural Areas
- Resilient rural areas
- Prosperous rural areas
- Education and training
- Employment
- Health and care
- Social inclusion
Social farming can strengthen rural economies, improve access to social and care services, and support the inclusion of vulnerable groups. A new European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) opinion calls for better funding, policy coordination and recognition of its contribution to rural development.
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Adopted in September 2026, the EESC opinion ‘Social farming as a tool for innovation in agriculture’ highlights the potential of social farming to address social challenges while diversifying agricultural activities and creating economic opportunities in rural areas.
Social farming combines agricultural activities with services such as therapy, rehabilitation, education, vocational training and employment opportunities for people facing disadvantages. It brings together agriculture, healthcare, social services and education, while offering additional income opportunities for farms, particularly smaller and family-run holdings.
The EESC identifies social farming as a means of strengthening rural services, social inclusion, community cooperation and generational renewal. It also highlights its potential to support informal care and complement conventional healthcare through nature-based activities.
Key recommendations for EU and national policies
The opinion calls for an integrated approach to supporting social farming, including:
- Funding and administrative simplification: improve access to EU and national funding, reduce administrative barriers and move beyond isolated, short-term projects.
- Recognition and quality standards: develop a transferable regulatory framework and common labelling approach to improve transparency and recognition of social farming products and services.
- Skills and research: strengthen vocational training, accredited education and research, including through EU programmes such as Horizon Europe and Erasmus+.
- Measuring the impact: develop proportionate methods to measure social farming's contribution to employment, health, the environment and rural development.
- Ethical employment: ensure fair wages, safe working conditions, workers' rights and environmental standards.
LEADER and integrated rural development
The EESC particularly highlights the role of Local Action Groups and LEADER/Community-led Local Development (CLLD) in supporting social farming initiatives. Local Action Groups can connect farmers, public services, local authorities and civil society, facilitate partnerships and provide guidance for new projects.
The opinion also calls for social farming to be considered within future rural development measures, including the proposed National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPPs) and their rural spending target.
It further recommends using existing agricultural buildings to expand rural housing opportunities, supporting new entrants, families and vulnerable groups while contributing to farm diversification.