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This paper seeks to bridge the gap between socio-material and complex adaptive systems approaches in conceptualizing the politics of transformation. Our contribution in particular is a further clarification of the relational nature of power, and the role of non-humans in transitional dynamics of complex adaptive systems. We explore and operationalize the role of non-humans and relationality in (1) agency and (2) power, and the implications thereof for processes of (3) powering, through which power relations shape resource distributions and associated macro-scale dynamics. We consider agency as an embedded and temporal capacity for reorientation. This also entails attributing agency to entangled networks of humans and non-humans. Such a capacitive conception of agency follows from our understanding that agents and structures consist of comparable ontological building blocks, both being (networks of) components in complex adaptive systems. Power we understand as a productive and relational phenomenon that emerges from interactions between components and that structures their agency. We argue that such a 'force-field' understanding of power enables the observation of different types of power relations. Finally, we consider six different mechanisms through which power relations can result in a (re)distribution of resources and with that, contribute to self-reproducing or transformative systemic dynamics. With this conceptualization, we hope to advance the debate on the different facets of the politics of transformation, and to help further urgently needed transitions towards a more sustainable future.

Transdisciplinary research and innovation (R&I) efforts have emerged as a means to address challenges to sustainable transformation. One of the main elements of transdisciplinary efforts is the 'inclusion' of different stakeholders, values and perspectives in participatory R&I processes. In practice, however, 'doing inclusion' raises a number of challenges. In this article, we aim to contribute to re-politicizing inclusion in transdisciplinarity for transformation, by (1) empirically unraveling four key challenges that emerge in the political practice of 'doing inclusion', (2) illustrating how facilitators of inclusion processes perform balancing acts when confronted with these challenges, and (3) reflecting on what the unfolding dynamics suggests about the politics of stakeholder inclusion for societal transformation. In doing so, we analyze the transdisciplinary FIT4FOOD2030 project (2017–2020)—an EU-funded project that aimed to contribute to fostering EU R&I systems' ability to catalyze food system transformation through stakeholder engagement in 25 Living Labs. Based on 3 years of action-research (including interviews, workshops and field observations), we identified four inherent political challenges to 'doing inclusion' in FIT4FOOD2030: (1) the challenge to meaningfully bring together powerful and marginalized stakeholders; (2) combining representation and deliberation of different stakeholder groups; (3) balancing diversities of inclusion with directionalities implied by transformative efforts; and (4) navigating the complexities of establishing boundaries of inclusion processes. We argue that by understanding 'doing inclusion' as a political practice, necessitating specificity about the (normative) ambitions in different inclusion settings, facilitators may better grasp and address challenges in transdisciplinarity for transformation.

To solve the grand challenges related to food production and consumption, breakthroughs are needed in research and innovation (R&I) that foster changes in the entire food system, targeting not only the food production chain, but also the social, political, economic and environmental aspects related to it. In order to realise the needed breakhthroughs, European and regional funding systems for R&I need revisions. This paper argues the need for three revisions: to include research topics regarding food system innovation on the research agenda, to foster responsible R&I and to add to public R&I funding institutions the task of acting as 'innovation brokers'.

With the publication of the booklet "Food2030 Pathways for Action" on 16 October 2020 (World Food Day) , the European Commission officially started the operationalisation process of the Food2030 framework in view of deploying the R&I action, as well as the investments needed to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal , the Farm to Fork and the Bioeconomy strategies . The clustering exercise, led by DG Research and Innovation with contributions from DG SANTE, DG MARE, DG AGRI and from relevant food value chain stakeholders, has led the European Commission to identify ten focus areas which are considered 'levers of change': Governance & Systems Change; Urban Food System Transformation; Food from the Oceans & Freshwater Resources; Alternative Proteins & Dietary Shift; Food Waste & Resource Efficiency; The Microbiome World; Healthy, Sustainable & Personalised Nutrition; Food Safety Systems of the Future; Food Systems Africa; Food Systems & Data. The object of Deliverable 3.4 is to build on the D. 3.3 analysis of the R&I action needed in each pathway and provide concrete R&I recommendations for policy makers at the EU and Member States level. Particular attention is dedicated to expose the interconnectedness of the pathways to identify the most relevant and urgent cross-pathway actions to adopt.

In light of the urgent need to identify concrete R&I actions to feed into the upcoming Horizon Europe Programme, the European Commission has developed an approach structured around 10 focus areas that are considered pathways with the potential to deliver impact on EU food systems transformation (European Commission, 2020). This report aims to deepen and expand the analysis of pathways areas building on the experience and results of previous activities from the FIT4FOOD2030 project, including the findings contained in the policy briefs produced by the EU Think Tank; the training modules developed by City and Policy Labs; and the previous mapping of trends, barriers, enablers & potential breakthroughs for transformation. This in-depth analysis of 10 pathway areas is one of the first European reports to include a discussion of the potential impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic – and the measures EU Member States have taken to contain it – on food systems. While the Covid-19 event is too recent to predict its full impact and produce tailored R&I recommendations to exploit its potential to accelerate the food systems transformation, the analysis produced in this report takes the current context into account. Whenever possible and appropriate, the most recent scientific evidence has been used to substantiate the arguments made in the areas researched.

This document is intended to serve as the basis for a common understanding within the FIT4FOOD2030 consortium when it comes to potential R&I breakthroughs, but also to stimulate the discussion taking place at the three interconnected structures of the FIT4FOOD2030 platform (City Labs, Policy Labs and the EU Think Tank) and support their roadmap definition. The process to develop this report started with initial desk research and discussion within the project consortium to define key terms, in close cooperation with WP2 and WP3 to clearly distinguish trends, breakthroughs and showcases. The compilation of an inventory for past R&I breakthroughs was based on desk research and an internal meeting with WP4 partners. Findings from WP2 and WP3 were also used in the identification of potential R&I breakthroughs. Furthermore, the survey conducted in WP3 was used to direct questions on potential R&I breakthroughs to the participants.