Periodic Reporting for period 3 - FUSILLI (Fostering the Urban food System Transformation through Innovative Living Labs Implementation)
Reporting period: 2024-01-01 to 2024-12-31
FUSILLI, a EU project that supports cities in reshaping their food systems to become healthier, more sustainable, and inclusive. It brings together 12 cities in a collaborative network, fostering knowledge exchange, experiences, and best practices to promote mutual learning and collective progress.
In each city, Food2030 Living Labs serve as innovation hubs, addressing every stage of the food system—from production and processing to distribution, consumption, and food waste. FUSILLI makes a strong emphasis on citizen participation, ensuring that local communities are actively engaged in driving change.
The project focuses on four strategic priorities:
• Promoting healthy and balanced diets.
• Encouraging environmentally friendly food practices.
• Enhancing efficient and sustainable use of resources.
• Empowering communities to take an active role in food system transformation.
FUSILLI has delivered over 300 actions aimed at improving local food systems. These include the development of Urban Food Plans, the establishment of 8 Food Councils and 12 Municipal Food Commissions, and the creation of platforms for long-term knowledge sharing and collaboration.
To ensure replicability and sustainability, the project has produced comprehensive guidelines to support the design of effective food policies and governance frameworks. Additionally, it has developed strategic models for investment, public procurement, and public-private partnerships.
By working in close collaboration with citizens, local authorities, businesses, and other stakeholders, FUSILLI is building a lasting foundation for more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems—both within its network of cities and beyond.
In each city, Food2030 Living Labs serve as innovation hubs, addressing every stage of the food system—from production and processing to distribution, consumption, and food waste. FUSILLI makes a strong emphasis on citizen participation, ensuring that local communities are actively engaged in driving change.
The project focuses on four strategic priorities:
• Promoting healthy and balanced diets.
• Encouraging environmentally friendly food practices.
• Enhancing efficient and sustainable use of resources.
• Empowering communities to take an active role in food system transformation.
FUSILLI has delivered over 300 actions aimed at improving local food systems. These include the development of Urban Food Plans, the establishment of 8 Food Councils and 12 Municipal Food Commissions, and the creation of platforms for long-term knowledge sharing and collaboration.
To ensure replicability and sustainability, the project has produced comprehensive guidelines to support the design of effective food policies and governance frameworks. Additionally, it has developed strategic models for investment, public procurement, and public-private partnerships.
By working in close collaboration with citizens, local authorities, businesses, and other stakeholders, FUSILLI is building a lasting foundation for more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems—both within its network of cities and beyond.
Since its launch, FUSILLI has achieved significant progress in supporting cities across EU in developing more sustainable and inclusive urban food systems. Central to the project’s success has been the establishment of 12 fully operational Living Labs. These Labs have implemented 325 innovative actions, all aimed at improving the way food is produced, distributed, consumed, and managed.
Each city has developed its own Urban Food Action Plan—a strategic roadmap tailored to local needs and priorities. These plans serve as practical tools to guide municipal efforts and policy development, ensuring that food system improvements are grounded in evidence and aligned with community values.
To strengthen food governance, 8 cities have established Food Councils, and all 12 have introduced Food Charters to formalize their commitments to sustainable food systems. In addition, 12 Municipal Food Commissions have been created to coordinate actions across different departments and sectors within local governments, reinforcing institutional collaboration and long-term planning.
A major achievement is the creation of the FUSILLI Knowledge Community—a digital platform that facilitates the exchange of experiences, tools, and best practices between the cities and with external stakeholders. This platform supports ongoing learning and cooperation, helping to replicate successful actions in other urban contexts.
Capacity building has also been a central focus. Through a series of webinars, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events, FUSILLI has equipped stakeholders with the skills and understanding needed to contribute effectively to food system transformation. These activities have brought together representatives from municipalities, civil society, academia, and the private sector, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and innovation.
FUSILLI has also engaged with other EU projects and international initiatives, participating in joint events and collaborative activities that have expanded the project’s visibility. This collaborative approach has strengthened policy coherence, enriched knowledge exchange, and ensured that the project’s insights contribute to broader EU food system goals.
The dissemination of results has been a priority. Open-access publications, policy briefs, infographics, and videos have been made widely available through its website and platforms (Zenodo). In addition, the project has maintained a strong presence on social media and digital channels, helping to raise awareness and involve citizens in the transformation process.
Efforts have also been made to explore long-term sustainability and impact. Cities have studied innovative business models, investment strategies, and public-private partnerships to ensure that actions initiated during the project can continue and grow over time. These strategies support local economic development, create new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs, and contribute to building resilient urban food ecosystems.
By addressing challenges such as food security, food waste, social inclusion, and economic resilience, FUSILLI has laid a strong foundation for long-term change. The project’s results have benefited the participating cities and have been shared to inspire in other urban areas across EU and beyond.
Each city has developed its own Urban Food Action Plan—a strategic roadmap tailored to local needs and priorities. These plans serve as practical tools to guide municipal efforts and policy development, ensuring that food system improvements are grounded in evidence and aligned with community values.
To strengthen food governance, 8 cities have established Food Councils, and all 12 have introduced Food Charters to formalize their commitments to sustainable food systems. In addition, 12 Municipal Food Commissions have been created to coordinate actions across different departments and sectors within local governments, reinforcing institutional collaboration and long-term planning.
A major achievement is the creation of the FUSILLI Knowledge Community—a digital platform that facilitates the exchange of experiences, tools, and best practices between the cities and with external stakeholders. This platform supports ongoing learning and cooperation, helping to replicate successful actions in other urban contexts.
Capacity building has also been a central focus. Through a series of webinars, workshops, and knowledge-sharing events, FUSILLI has equipped stakeholders with the skills and understanding needed to contribute effectively to food system transformation. These activities have brought together representatives from municipalities, civil society, academia, and the private sector, fostering a culture of shared responsibility and innovation.
FUSILLI has also engaged with other EU projects and international initiatives, participating in joint events and collaborative activities that have expanded the project’s visibility. This collaborative approach has strengthened policy coherence, enriched knowledge exchange, and ensured that the project’s insights contribute to broader EU food system goals.
The dissemination of results has been a priority. Open-access publications, policy briefs, infographics, and videos have been made widely available through its website and platforms (Zenodo). In addition, the project has maintained a strong presence on social media and digital channels, helping to raise awareness and involve citizens in the transformation process.
Efforts have also been made to explore long-term sustainability and impact. Cities have studied innovative business models, investment strategies, and public-private partnerships to ensure that actions initiated during the project can continue and grow over time. These strategies support local economic development, create new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs, and contribute to building resilient urban food ecosystems.
By addressing challenges such as food security, food waste, social inclusion, and economic resilience, FUSILLI has laid a strong foundation for long-term change. The project’s results have benefited the participating cities and have been shared to inspire in other urban areas across EU and beyond.
FUSILLI has developed a framework that places innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity at its core. Rather than treating food policy as a stand-alone issue, it has embedded food systems thinking across different areas of urban governance, empowering cities to take a holistic, long-term approach to transforming the way food is produced, distributed, and consumed.
A key innovation lies in the active involvement of citizens. Through creative tools such as educational campaigns, workshops, community events, and a social game app, the project has engaged people in building a deeper understanding of food-related challenges. These initiatives have increased awareness and strengthened civic participation, enabling residents to become active contributors to local food system solutions.
The project has prioritized social equity. Some participating cities, targeted actions have been implemented to improve access to healthy and affordable food, especially for vulnerable populations. By addressing issues such as dietary health, food poverty, and food literacy, FUSILLI has helped reduce inequalities and promote well-being within communities.
From an economic perspective, across the 12 cities, the project has created over 440 job opportunities, including roles for volunteers, small business operators, and food system entrepreneurs. These efforts have stimulated local markets, supported short supply chains, and fostered new forms of economic activity linked to sustainable food production and distribution.
At policy level, FUSILLI has guided cities in the creation of new governance structures that improve coordination and long-term planning. The establishment of Food Councils and Municipal Food Commissions has enabled cross-sector collaboration and the integration of food-related concerns into municipal strategies.
Environmentally, FUSILLI cities have implemented initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resource efficiency across the food chain. These include composting schemes, food rescue and redistribution networks, and food waste transformation into value-added bio-products and biofertilizers.
FUSILLI’s influence has extended beyond its original network. By working closely with international partners, EU sister projects, and global initiatives, it has inspired other cities to explore similar paths.
A key innovation lies in the active involvement of citizens. Through creative tools such as educational campaigns, workshops, community events, and a social game app, the project has engaged people in building a deeper understanding of food-related challenges. These initiatives have increased awareness and strengthened civic participation, enabling residents to become active contributors to local food system solutions.
The project has prioritized social equity. Some participating cities, targeted actions have been implemented to improve access to healthy and affordable food, especially for vulnerable populations. By addressing issues such as dietary health, food poverty, and food literacy, FUSILLI has helped reduce inequalities and promote well-being within communities.
From an economic perspective, across the 12 cities, the project has created over 440 job opportunities, including roles for volunteers, small business operators, and food system entrepreneurs. These efforts have stimulated local markets, supported short supply chains, and fostered new forms of economic activity linked to sustainable food production and distribution.
At policy level, FUSILLI has guided cities in the creation of new governance structures that improve coordination and long-term planning. The establishment of Food Councils and Municipal Food Commissions has enabled cross-sector collaboration and the integration of food-related concerns into municipal strategies.
Environmentally, FUSILLI cities have implemented initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve resource efficiency across the food chain. These include composting schemes, food rescue and redistribution networks, and food waste transformation into value-added bio-products and biofertilizers.
FUSILLI’s influence has extended beyond its original network. By working closely with international partners, EU sister projects, and global initiatives, it has inspired other cities to explore similar paths.