Vision

ASEED strives for a world where people feel empowered to take action to achieve social justice and environmental integrity on both the local and global level.

Mission Statement

ASEED aims to support and empower groups and individuals (especially youth) who are striving for fair and sustainable food systems. We do so by promoting grassroots organisation, mobilising people to take action, and supporting the non-formal exchange of skills and knowledge around social issues, climate change, farming, food, resilience and resistance. Thanks to a strong and diverse network of collectives from the local to the European level, our activities include: the organisation and participation in discussions, festivals, trainings, activist gatherings and much more. Overall, we support (young) people to grow capacities in order to take action to change their lives and communities for the better.

History

From 1991…

Action for Solidarity, Equality, Environment and Diversity (ASEED Europe) was established by young engaged people in 1991 in response to the UNCED Earth Summit proceedings in Rio de Janeiro and aimed to forge alliances among young people committed to social and environmental justice. Since 1992, the ASEED decentralised network grew and regional hubs were created in Europe, Asia, North America, Africa, Latin America and Japan. Each hub had its own level of activity, linking youth groups and individuals in their region. By now some hubs developed in their own way, working independently from each other, while others have ceased to exist.

… to 2022

Presently, ASEED Europe is a small non-profit organisation (ANBI) based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Our core team comprises between 7 and 10 people, and works together with many volunteers and contacts at the local, regional, and European levels. ASEED’s team usually counts two part-time coordinators, one financial administrator, four European volunteers (Erasmus + European Solidarity Corps programme) as well as interns. In addition, many volunteers support us with specific projects and events. We strive to challenge power-structures at ASEED. To do so, we use non-hierarchical working practices, follow team trainings and we continuously work on our Safer Space Policy and Intersectionality Statement.

How do we work ?

ASEED supports the rights of individuals and communities to determine their own lives. Our campaigns focus on exploring alternatives to the industrial food system, and networking with groups that promote viable alternatives and sustainable development.

Our objectives are the following:

  • Initiating and coordinating actions and campaigns on environmental, food and social justice issues;
  • Promoting discussions and disseminating information about the topics we work with;
  • Empowering local youth groups and grassroots organisations via trainings, joint projects, and knowledge sharing;
  • Establishing partnerships between various organisations and groups worldwide and facilitating international cooperation and networking.

To realise our aims, we use the following tools: the promotion of grassroot organisation, education, mobilisation and non-violent direct action so that people can act to achieve social justice and environmental integrity on both the local and global level. Examples of activities we are involved in are the annual Food Autonomy Festival, reading groups, debates and awareness-raising events, trainings, action camps, alternative climate summits, non-violent direct actions, urban farming sessions and more.

What are our values ?

One of ASEED’s most fundamental standpoints is that humans are a part of nature, not apart from it. Modern economic systems, regardless of their political hue, continue to regard nature as a resource to be exploited. Recent treaties that are aimed at slowing down ongoing environmental degradation, climate change and the loss of biodiversity are doomed to fail. Indeed, because short term economic growth is always given precedence over the long term future of the planet.

ASEED Europe strives for the preservation of bio-cultural diversity. Doing this, we reject and work towards ending discrimination based on age, class, disability, gender, race, religious beliefs and sexual preference/identity. We support the rights of individuals and communities to determine their own lives. Therefore, we work with groups which promote local democracy and social justice as well as taking these principles as a starting point in our own campaigns.

Within these campaigns, we fight against the industrial agricultural model and for agricultural justice, climate justice, food autonomy and overall systemic justice. In doing so, we strive both in our perspectives and practices to challenge racism, sexism, coloniality, and oppression in all its forms. We believe that a just food system can only be created if different levels of oppression and inequalities are fought simultaneously.

Our work is made possible by funders and donors. Do you want to become one of them? Get in touch with us or donate here. Thank you!