Governance of Alternative Food Networks Through the Lenses of Experimentalist Governance: Insights from Two Case Studies in Bologna (Italy)

The global agri-food system is in a moment of deep uncertainty. Established practices, oriented towards maximizing production and standardization, have revealed their intrinsic fragility. The environmental, social and economic impact of this model is increasingly evident, calling into question its long-term sustainability. In this context of crisis, new forms of organization, often referred to as Alternative Food Networks (AFNs), are emerging. These networks are not simple commercial alternatives, but represent a real movement of transformation of the food system, driven by values such as social justice, quality and sustainability. Although the literature on AFNs has explored the characteristics and values of these networks, the way in which they self-organize and interact with institutions, hence contributing to the development of novel food policies, remains little explored. This calls for a better understanding of the governance of AFNs, their organizational modalities, their interactions, their agreements, their tensions, and how relationships take shape both inside and outside the boundaries of the network. The approach chosen for this research is that of experimental governance, a model that departs from classic hierarchical structures and that values continuous learning, adaptability and participation. The empirical investigation is based on the study of two farmers' market associations in the city of Bologna (Italy): Campi Aperti and Mercato Ritrovato. This contributions aims to: 1- Understand if and how the self-organization dynamics of AFNs align with the principles of experimental governance. 2- Analyze how the internal governance modes influence their relationship with local institutions, in particular with the Municipality of Bologna, and their potential role in the development of innovative food policies. The contribution explores the local context as a key element for understanding AFNs. It focuses on the relationships that these networks create between producers, consumers, territory and institutions. The aim is to highlight the mechanisms through which AFNs can contribute, from a local action, to transforming the food system, promoting a more equitable and resilient model. The research reveals a complex picture of interactions and tensions between AFNs and the institutional world. On the one hand, AFNs bring bottom-up innovations and propose alternative models of production, distribution and consumption. On the other hand, local institutions, often tied to pre-existing logics and paradigms, struggle to recognize and valorize the transformative potential of these realities. Experimental governance, in this sense, emerges as a promising approach to overcome the rigidities of the system, to promote mutual learning and to build a more sustainable food future. AFNs are not simply a commercial alternative, but real laboratories of social innovation. Their capacity to transform the food system depends on their ability to self-govern their activities and to build bridges with institutions, for the creation of more participatory and innovative food policies. This contribution highlights how the analysis of AFNs’ governance is fundamental to understand their impact and their potential in building a fairer and more sustainable agri-food system, and how experimental governance can help us understand and support the role of these actors.