Repercussions of the agri-food crisis at local and regional level

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24 Oct 2022

Labour, Migration and Social Policies

Izabela Marcinkowska

Jan Bazyli Klakla

Delia Agostinelli

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Izabela Marcinkowska

Labour market, social policy and employment director
Dr. Marcinkowska's areas of expertise include the labor market, social policy, and employment. As President of the Management Board, Dr. Marcinkowska is responsible for managing all research and projects in the areas of demography, labor, and social policy, overseeing CASE’s financial administration, and spearheading new business development activities. Dr. Marcinkowska has been cooperating with CASE since 2005, and has participated in numerous Polish and international technical assistance and research projects, including the multi-year MOPACT (Mobilizing the Potential of Active Ageing in Europe) Project, funded by the European Commission’s DG on Research and Innovation; NEUJOBS – Employment 2025: How will multiple transitions affect the European labor market, also funded by the European Commission’s DG on Research and Innovation; the Study on the effects and incidence of labor taxation, funded by the European Commission’s DG on Taxation and Customs Union, and Assessing Needs of Care in European Nations (ANCIEN), funded by the European Commission’s Health Cooperation Program. Dr. Marcinkowska obtained her PhD in Economic Science on Informal Employment from the University of Turin. She holds an MA in Economics from the University of Warsaw and an MA in Economics from CORIPE Piemonte in Turin. She has published extensively in the fields of labor economics, social policy, and health economics.

Articles from this author:
- The EU School Scheme. Enhancing Impact, Alignment, and Integration into Food Strategies
  The report examines the implementation and impact of the EU School Scheme, which has promoted healthy eating habits among schoolchildren since 2017 by providing them with fresh fruit, vegetables and milk, as well as educational activities. Evidence shows that the scheme broadly meets its objectives, although its effectiveness varies across Member States.
- How to eradicate skills poverty among the most vulnerable?
- Tourism and rural development
  The study delves into the multifaceted impact and potential of tourism in fostering rural development across the European Union (EU). Its aim is to equip local governments with practical insights, empowering them to effectively leverage the benefits of tourism in rural EU regions. Employing a diverse array of research methodologies, including interviews, case studies, and … Continued
Author’s articles
Jan Bazyli Klakla

Director of Migration, Social Policy, and Development Cooperation
Dr. Jan Bazyli Klakla holds doctorates in law and sociology from the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, where he also completed studies in law, sociology, and cultural studies, alongside postgraduate studies in international migration at the University of Warsaw. He is currently a Director of Migration, Social Policy, and Development Cooperation at CASE – Center for Social and Economic Research in Warsaw, and a post-doctoral researcher at the Center for Legal Education and Social Theory at the University of Wrocław. Dr. Klakla has been involved in and has led numerous national and European research projects, including those funded by Horizon Europe, Norway Grants, and Polish National Science Center. His work also includes providing consulting and expert services to key European institutions such as the Committee of the Regions, the European Economic and Social Committee, and CEDEFOP (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training). He has served as an expert in the “Safe Krakow - Security Strategy for Krakow” program. Dr. Klakla is the editor of Law and Culture. Reconceptualization and Case Studies (Springer Nature, 2021) and the author of Law and Acculturation. Conceptualisation and Empirical Case Study: Slavic Migrants in Poland (Palgrave Macmillan, 2024) and Studying in Times of Crisis. Acculturation and Adaptation of Ukrainian Students at Kraków Higher Education Institutions amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic and Russia's Aggression against Ukraine (Brill, 2025). In recognition of his scholarly contributions, he was awarded first prize in the competition of the Association of the Philosophy of Law and Social Philosophy (IVR) – Polish Section for the best doctoral dissertation in the theory and philosophy of law. His research interests span migration, sociology of law, educational research, public policy analysis, customary law, and the methodology of social sciences.

Articles from this author:
- Qualifications Beyond Borders: Recognition of Ukrainian Diplomas and Qualifications in Poland
- Blueprint and Methodology for Innovative Governance
  The publication is a key deliverable within the BioBeo project, funded under the Horizon Europe program. It provides a structured approach to integrating bioeconomy education into school curricula across different institutional and social environments. The report examines the actors involved in curriculum decision-making, from policymakers and school administrators to parents, students, and businesses. It categorizes existing procedures for introducing new content into schools, whether initiated by teachers, school heads, or government authorities. Key barriers—legal, organizational, and socio-cultural—are identified, along with strategies to overcome them. A central theme is the importance of inclusive governance in education, advocating for participatory decision-making that involves various stakeholders. Recommendations highlight the need for flexibility in curriculum design, adequate funding, professional support for teachers, and depoliticization of educational content. The report concludes by situating these findings within the broader BioBeo curriculum framework, reinforcing the role of education in fostering a sustainable and circular bioeconomy.
- Poland’s Migration Strategy for 2025-2030 – Expert Commentary
Author’s articles
Delia Agostinelli

Economist
Delia Agostinelli is a Junior Economist at CASE. Graduated cum laude in Economics and Economic Policy at the University of Bologna with a thesis entitled “Impact of skilled migration on human capital formation and growth performance of source countries“. At CASE, Delia is involved in projects related to green economy, energy policies as well as … <a href="https://case-research.eu/publications/repercussions-of-the-agri-food-crisis-at-local-and-regional-level/">Continued</a>

Articles from this author:
- How to eradicate skills poverty among the most vulnerable?
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  This study was prepared as part of a project on E-services for citizens at local and regional level in EaP countries commissioned by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR) under the specific contract No CDR.17081 implementing multiple framework contract for studies in the field of external relations No CDR/2022/B3/1/1-CIVEX-RELEX. The aim of the study … Continued
- Making the EESC the facilitator and guarantor of participatory democracy activities
  This study looks at the Conference on the Future of Europe’s (CoFoE) proposals on European democracy and the role of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). It explores different options for institutional reform of the EESC to best serve its purpose and increase citizens’ participation. To do this, the study examines different forms of … Continued
Author’s articles

A study by CEPS and CASE entitled “Repercussions of the agri-food crisis at local and regional level”, requested by the European Committee of the Regions’ Commission for Natural Resources (CoR NAT), was published in October 2022.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has had a considerable impact on the EU food market, which had already been suffering from disrupted supply chains in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic. As most EU countries benefit from well-developed agricultural production, the availability of grains and food is not at stake in the European Union. However, certain EU countries show some trade dependencies on supplies from Ukraine and Russia, while others are also vulnerable to losing export destinations in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine, Russia and Belarus. Moreover, the ongoing war is continuing to have a considerable effect on prices.

The report aims to assess, in qualitative and quantitative terms, how the Russian invasion of Ukraine is affecting the EU countries and regions that are among the most impacted by the consequences of the war. It begins with an analysis of the crisis, reporting the causes, the figures of the shortages and the EU response. Subsequently, the study reviews Poland and Spain among the most negatively affected countries and regions, while Hungary and Germany are considered among the most resilient ones. In the last part of the study, the authors conclude with a list of lessons learned and some policy recommendations to address the challenges.

Overall, the analysis suggests that in terms of grain supplies Spain is the most exposed country to the devastating effects of the war, and Hungary the least, due to its self-sufficient grain production and export controls introduced since the outbreak of the war. However, export controls do not provide a long-term sustainable solution and maintaining resilience is proving to be difficult for all considered countries overall. Even Germany, which has strong production at local level and does not have a large trade dependence on Ukrainian supplies, still remains highly vulnerable to growing inflation, mainly stemming from the increased prices of energy and fertiliser supplies from Russia. Hungary, which is a self- sufficient grain producer, is also unable to avoid spikes in prices for the same reasons. The increase in prices, moreover, is hitting the affordability of basic consumer goods, particularly among those low-income households for whom affordability of proper meals was already an issue before the outbreak of the war.

As the study shows, having strong local production of grains and fertilisers is very helpful in providing sufficient local supplies of food and agricultural produce during such crises. In addition, diversifying both import and export markets by unlocking trade potential with like-minded countries, as well as moving towards smart specialisation, are very important for boosting resilience at the regional level. This, however, should not compromise environmental concerns.

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Repercussions of the agri-food crisis at local and regional level

Izabela Marcinkowska

Articles from this author:

Jan Bazyli Klakla

Articles from this author:

Delia Agostinelli

Articles from this author:

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