In view of fostering economically viable and sustainable agriculture and forestry, it is essential to close the research and innovation divide and to act at EU level. SKIN main objective is to improve the two-directional flow of knowledge between research and practices, promoting demand-driven innovations and knowledge-based agriculture.

Understanding the needs and priorities of practitioners and short food supply chain actors is the first step to make food closer to society. Cross-fertilisation of ideas will glue local best practices together and bring this connection at european scale.

The adoption of a multi-actor approach, involving key players beyond primary agrifood actors, such as, policy makers, regulatory settings, research but also tourism, schools, territorial associations, environmental organisation and citizens, will support the co-creation of an innovative pathway aiming at supporting the development of short food supply chains, being not only an economic sector but also a new way to care about nature, food and local environment.