Vulnerabilities in the Finnish Food System (Ruokavarma)
Duration: 2021–2023
Authors: Marjatta Selänniemi, Atte Penttilä, Anni Savikurki, and Kaisa Karttunen
Partners: University of Turku's Finland Futures Research Centre, Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics
Funding: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland/ Makera
Over the past decades, national and international food policy and social debate have focused on promoting the price competitiveness of the food system. However, competitiveness of the food system is comprised of not only comparative cost advantages but also of the capacity of the system to fulfil its basic function – food supply and food security – in many kinds of situations and circumstances.
The study is focused on the interdependencies within the food system and their role as a source of vulnerability. Alleviation of vulnerability asks for analysis of the systemic properties to identify effective leverage points.
Change of the vulnerabilities is evaluated in three contrast scenarios. Actor network analysis reveals actions that reduce vulnerability of the food system in each scenario and exposes the relocation and multiplicative effects of the vulnerabilities that arise as a consequence of the actions.
E2 Research will be responsible for the vulnerability analysis of the project, which will be carried out through a literature review and individual and group interviews. In addition, we are involved in the implementation of the causal maps related to the vulnerability analysis through individual interviews.
Find out more about the project on its website (in Finnish): Ruokavarma.info
