Re-imagine CAP (RECAP)
Re-imagine CAP (RECAP) is a project co-funded by the European Commission as part of the Information Measures for the Common Agricultural Policy (IMCAP) program (IMCAP-2025-INFOME). The project aims to raise awareness and foster a better understanding of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) among EU citizens in Belgium and Greece. Particular attention is given to youth in both urban and rural areas, young women, farmers, and other rural stakeholders.
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) plays a vital role in supporting farmers, strengthening productivity, sustaining rural communities and ensuring that citizens have access to safe and nutritious food. Yet, for many people, especially younger generations, it often feels distant, overly technical, or even divisive. Misperceptions and polarised narratives can create confusion or division, and in some cases have been used as political tools to distort facts or spread misinformation, which further erodes trust.
To break this cycle, we need a more balanced and informed conversation about the CAP that helps depolarise the debate. RECAP was created to support this effort: providing a clearer and more accurate understanding of this policy framework and building new narratives that bridge divides, foster trust and overcome disinformation. RECAP builds on insights from the 1st European Narratives Observatory (NODES), following Re-Imagine Europa’s (RIE) Depolarisation Methodology. Using this research, we delve into the intricacies of how the CAP works and its impact on citizens lives, emphasising its role in sustainability, rural development, and food security. We also focus on how the CAP is perceived by diverse communities of young people, including school children, teachers, high school students, and university students, across both rural and urban areas, paying particular attention to young women who remain under-represented in the agri-food sector. By listening to these groups, the project observes their perception and experience with this policy framework and seeks to co-create constructive and inclusive narratives that reflect their realities.
