Abstract

The concept of bioregions encompasses a community-driven and maintained initiative aimed at exploiting local resources sustainably through adopting organic farming practices and strengthening regional identity. It is a new approach to dealing with global challenges related to climate change, ecosystem protection and sustainable global food supply chains. The concept respects local biodiversity and balances the interests of stakeholders in the use, management and development of resources. According to the scientific literature, the most significant research on bioregions began over the last decade. There has been a growing interest among researchers who associate bioregions, to a large extent, with the local community, biodiversity and its preservation, as well as the climate; however, less attention has been paid to diversifying agricultural practices during challenges to the global food supply. Food system transformation tools that integrate agroecology principles, support organic farming techniques, contribute to the development of short food supply chains and the resilience of the local economy provide basic benefits for bioregions. At the same time, experts have pointed to the risks associated with a lack of a political framework, low public awareness, the threat of greenwashing as well as the dependence of the process on individual leaders. European experience indicates that bioregions can successfully combine organic farming practices and food system actors, while strengthening the local community and preserving cultural values. However, the main objective of bioregions is the supply of high-quality, healthy, local and sustainably produced food, which is not always the main strategy for food supply chains.