This document summarizes a project called "Global learning from local solutions in alternative food systems" that took place from 2013-2016 in the village of Darguziai, Lithuania. The population of Darguziai was decreasing due to migration and an aging society. Researchers interviewed community leaders to identify problems and found that quality of life was perceived as negative with little hope for the future. Researchers from Vilnius University were brought in to investigate socioeconomic issues and make recommendations. Partners like an association promoting sustainable food and the local municipality supported the project. The project aimed to develop sustainable local food production and marketing to improve the community.

1. Project
“Global learning from local solutions
in alternative food systems”
2013-2016
RCE Lithuania

3. Situation
Population in the Darguziai village ( appr. 220 citizens) is
decreasing as a result of migration of youth to cities inside of
Lithuania and abroad as well as ageing of society.
‘Agriculture as usual’ is not attractive because of hard work and
low income, pensioners are not interested in creating innovative
workplaces.
Communication of residents, and social life in a broader scope,
is weak.
Health services and education institutions are concentrated in
cities and difficult to access by the public transport.
Change needed!

4. Problem identification
In order to identify the problems to deal with, interviews with the
non-formal community leaders and opinion leaders were carried
out prior to desk research (analysis of reports, statistics, etc.).
The best ‘communication centre’ is the local shop!
Internal drivers/ obstacles:
 perception of ‘quality of life’ was totally negative with little hope
for future (quite a depressive feeling);
 a real wish to change social conditions;
 resistance for change and business innovations (conservatism);
 intolerance to new-comers;
 ignorance of sensitive / vulnerable individuals and their needs
while planning activities are targeted to “normal” part of the
community.

5. Involvement of researchers
Researchers were important for investigation and understanding in-
depth complex socio-economic-ecological processes.
Recommendations for change were necessary both for policy
(national) level and local practical solutions including food technologies
and management issues.
Researchers from Faculty of Philosophy (Department of Sociology)
of theVilnius University were invited and this choice was really
successful and appreciated by all parties. The sociologists already
have had an experience in working with social exclusion problems in
rural communities.
Motives for researched to be involved were access to the ‘real life
situations’ in research, possibility to adopt/develop new approaches,
visibility and applicability of the results achieved.

6. Partnerships for change
An initiative for new developments came from consumers-producers
association “Vivasol”, which provides ideas of ‘short food supply
chain’. Association assisted in implementing proposed measures on
promoting sustainable food production, marketing, and consumer
education as well as quite practical resources such as as animal
breeds and equipment.
Local municipality provided political support.
Food institute of Kaunas Technological University delivered
training for new cheese producers.
Alytus school of art was involved in the project to present project
findings and proposals for change in attractive way.

7. Scientists in food production were invited for education purposes at
the second stage of the project.

8. Lessons learned
Understanding of values and cultural context is essential in
communication with community in order to understand and respect their
expectations.
Holistic approach is the only way to understand all aspects of situation
and development needs in order to provide realistic and sustainable
solutions.
Understanding dynamics of community changes in the projects was
important in defining causal relationships and internal drivers for change.
Exploring connections of wider trends and particular local situation
is helpful in providing recommendations of different levels, i.e. policy
(national) and local as well as for further up-scaling measures.

10. Role of the RCE
RCE Lithuania acted as an intermediator between community and
scientists bringing tailored information from researchers to
community as well as initiating a special training programme for
potential cheese producers. (RCE wasn’t involved into delivery of
the programme.
Defining of scientific problem based on community situation and
expectations is not an easy task. In this particular project a
background of social sciences of project manager (representative
of the RCE) as well as experience in communicating with
communities in other projects.

11. Thank you for your attention
laima.galkute@gmail.com