Periodic Reporting for period 3 - FOODPathS (Co-creating the prototype 'Sustainable FOOD Systems PArTnersHip')
Reporting period: 2024-12-01 to 2025-11-30
The food sector is increasingly impacted by climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, hunger, malnutrition, diet-related diseases, food and packaging waste and safety, scarcity of fresh water and (renewable) resources, ecosystem services, social and economic inequalities, political tensions, and safeguarding food cultural heritage. Considering today’s severe crises, an accelerated transition to sustainable food systems in Europe is imperative, while preserving the richness of our food cultural heritage. Therefore, the EC with the Member States aimed to establish the ‘Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems (P-SFS) for people, planet and climate’. It was kicked off in mid-2024 and named ‘FutureFoodS’. This Partnership should be able to confront challenges via co-funded R&I projects and food system approaches.
The CSA Project ‘FOODPathS’ main objective was to design an ideal version of a ‘Prototype Partnership on Sustainable Food Systems’. The Prototype serves as the first version of HOW future partnerships may function. To develop the Prototype SFS Partnership, FOODPathS aimed to (i) elaborate co-creation processes, system approaches, modus operandi, and governance models, (ii) build a co-funding network and align funding strategies, (iii) explore collaboration between diverse actors in a Knowledge Hub of Food System labs, (iv) establish an EU branded network of university-driven local food ecosystems, (v) align strategic R&I agendas, science to Policy processes & Education programs (RIPE), (vi) Green-deal EU-widely, globally and locally for co-benefits and avoiding trade-offs, and (vii) build with divers actors a Partnership through communication, dissemination & exploitation.
The CSA Project ‘FOODPathS’ main objective was to design an ideal version of a ‘Prototype Partnership on Sustainable Food Systems’. The Prototype serves as the first version of HOW future partnerships may function. To develop the Prototype SFS Partnership, FOODPathS aimed to (i) elaborate co-creation processes, system approaches, modus operandi, and governance models, (ii) build a co-funding network and align funding strategies, (iii) explore collaboration between diverse actors in a Knowledge Hub of Food System labs, (iv) establish an EU branded network of university-driven local food ecosystems, (v) align strategic R&I agendas, science to Policy processes & Education programs (RIPE), (vi) Green-deal EU-widely, globally and locally for co-benefits and avoiding trade-offs, and (vii) build with divers actors a Partnership through communication, dissemination & exploitation.
The FOODPathS findings have been converging to the main achievement called ‘The Manual: How to build a Sustainable Food Systems Partnership?’, and the report ‘Recommendations’, presenting a summary of Partnership guidance and mentoring activities. The Manual describes a prototype partnership. Major components are a novel governance model and modus operandi conceptual framework, a funders forum and funding strategies, a description of an Observatory and a Food Systems Approach, an innovative RIPE concept – that connects R&I to Policy and Education – , a virtual Knowledge Hub of Food System Labs, a university-driven Community of Practice with a sustainability chart, a toolkit with concept, mapping and engaging tools, a new mirror group concept for verifying trade-offs and co-benefits, and a communication, dissemination and exploitation plan for partnerships. In detail:
• an interactive funders map, network, and Funder’s Forum, with a multitude of funding organizations, have been created for exchanges on how to implement a systems approach and align funding strategies. Insights were translated into a novel funding strategy and transferred to FutureFoodS.
• an extensive mapping study of over 70 case studies was carried out using the structure of a game as a new methodology and template. This has been discussed in Living Lab workshops. The case studies fuelled the newly build virtual Knowledge Hub of food system labs, launched via the FOODPathS website.
• using ranking schemes, universities have been listed based on their sustainability performance; a review was made of food system education programs from elementary levels to life-long learning. This served as basis for a university-driven network study, resulting in a Community of Practice utilizing a new sustainability chart.
• a strategic research and innovation agenda (SRIA) was written and published that served FutureFoodS. All partners, representing different stakeholder networks reviewed the SRIA. Also, attention was paid to science-to-policy interfaces, food systems approach and observatory, and the RIPE (R&I, Policy, Education) concept.
• trade-offs and co-benefits discussions have been performed to engage with both local and global organizations. This led to the definition of mirror groups, and a practical tool, as part of the FOODPathS Toolkit.
• governance and operations of an ideal partnership were addressed, resulting in new conceptual frameworks and definitions for (i) Food System Governance for Sustainability, (ii) a Modus Operandi with critical success factors, (iii) co-creation processes with multiple actors, and (iv) the role of intermediaries.
• communication, dissemination and exploitation actions have been undertaken with actors potentially interested and involved in FutureFoodS, other partnerships and EU project consortia. In a series of 10 FOODCastS, numerous sustainable food system partnership issues have been discussed.
• an interactive funders map, network, and Funder’s Forum, with a multitude of funding organizations, have been created for exchanges on how to implement a systems approach and align funding strategies. Insights were translated into a novel funding strategy and transferred to FutureFoodS.
• an extensive mapping study of over 70 case studies was carried out using the structure of a game as a new methodology and template. This has been discussed in Living Lab workshops. The case studies fuelled the newly build virtual Knowledge Hub of food system labs, launched via the FOODPathS website.
• using ranking schemes, universities have been listed based on their sustainability performance; a review was made of food system education programs from elementary levels to life-long learning. This served as basis for a university-driven network study, resulting in a Community of Practice utilizing a new sustainability chart.
• a strategic research and innovation agenda (SRIA) was written and published that served FutureFoodS. All partners, representing different stakeholder networks reviewed the SRIA. Also, attention was paid to science-to-policy interfaces, food systems approach and observatory, and the RIPE (R&I, Policy, Education) concept.
• trade-offs and co-benefits discussions have been performed to engage with both local and global organizations. This led to the definition of mirror groups, and a practical tool, as part of the FOODPathS Toolkit.
• governance and operations of an ideal partnership were addressed, resulting in new conceptual frameworks and definitions for (i) Food System Governance for Sustainability, (ii) a Modus Operandi with critical success factors, (iii) co-creation processes with multiple actors, and (iv) the role of intermediaries.
• communication, dissemination and exploitation actions have been undertaken with actors potentially interested and involved in FutureFoodS, other partnerships and EU project consortia. In a series of 10 FOODCastS, numerous sustainable food system partnership issues have been discussed.
FOODPathS has written the Handbook ‘Flying as a “Partnership” towards a sustainable future. This guide captures three years and half of intensive research and stakeholder engagement, moving the conversation beyond why sustainable food systems are necessary and what they should look like, to the critical question of HOW to achieve them through inclusive collaboration. The Handbook is based on the Manual called ‘How to build a Sustainable Food Systems Partnership?’
The Manual insights was translated into ‘Recommendations’ and also how (‘process’) recommendations can be formulated with diverse actors.
A series of virtual tools and platforms were developed, like (i) the Map of Funders with a higher number of funders as expected, (ii) the Virtual Knowledge Hub of FS Labs showcasing numerous food system cases, (iii) the Virtual network of university-driven local food ecosystems to motivate institutions, staff, and students to foster Food 2030-inspired food system transitions, (iv) a Toolkit with concept, mapping and engagement tools.
Regarding communication and dissemination, the Finland FOODPathS Declaration on the Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems deserves attention. The Declaration expresses the views of representatives of partnerships and large-scale initiatives. Also, the number of FOODCastS (10), scientific publications, broad audience-oriented event presentations, press releases, leaflets, etc. reflect the relevance of FOODPathS’ work.
The Manual insights was translated into ‘Recommendations’ and also how (‘process’) recommendations can be formulated with diverse actors.
A series of virtual tools and platforms were developed, like (i) the Map of Funders with a higher number of funders as expected, (ii) the Virtual Knowledge Hub of FS Labs showcasing numerous food system cases, (iii) the Virtual network of university-driven local food ecosystems to motivate institutions, staff, and students to foster Food 2030-inspired food system transitions, (iv) a Toolkit with concept, mapping and engagement tools.
Regarding communication and dissemination, the Finland FOODPathS Declaration on the Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems deserves attention. The Declaration expresses the views of representatives of partnerships and large-scale initiatives. Also, the number of FOODCastS (10), scientific publications, broad audience-oriented event presentations, press releases, leaflets, etc. reflect the relevance of FOODPathS’ work.