Periodic Reporting for period 2 - FOODPathS (Co-creating the prototype 'Sustainable FOOD Systems PArTnersHip')
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2023-12-01 do 2024-11-30
The food sector increasingly is 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 is to design an ideal version of a ‘Prototype SFS Partnership’. The Prototype serves as the first version of HOW the future Partnership may function. To develop the Prototype SFS Partnership, FOODPathS aims 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 network of Food System labs, (iv) establish an EU branded network of university-driven local food ecosystems, (v) to align strategic R&I agendas, science to Policy processes & Education (RIPE), (vi) Green-Deal EU-widely, globally and locally for co-benefits and trade-offs, and (vii) build a Partnership through communication, dissemination & exploitation.
The CSA Project ‘FOODPathS’ main objective is to design an ideal version of a ‘Prototype SFS Partnership’. The Prototype serves as the first version of HOW the future Partnership may function. To develop the Prototype SFS Partnership, FOODPathS aims 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 network of Food System labs, (iv) establish an EU branded network of university-driven local food ecosystems, (v) to align strategic R&I agendas, science to Policy processes & Education (RIPE), (vi) Green-Deal EU-widely, globally and locally for co-benefits and trade-offs, and (vii) build a Partnership through communication, dissemination & exploitation.
Initial work performed and main achievements are the following. Firstly, 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 transferred to FutureFoodS, which launched its first call in 2024.
Secondly, an extensive mapping study of 70+ case studies was carried out using the structure of a game; this has been partly explored in several Living Lab workshops and further studied in seven in-depth case studies. The insights have been incorporated in three deliverables, one scientific publication focused on co-creation processes, one book chapter addressing an SFS case study methodology, a case study template as a tool, and a virtual Knowledge Hub of food system labs which was launched via our website (possibly fueling the FutureFoodS website).
Third, using existing ranking schemes, universities have been listed based on their sustainability performance; additionally, a review has been made of food system education programs from elementary levels to life-long learning. This served as a basis for a university-driven network study and the development of a first sustainability chart (one draft deliverable, several workshops).
Fourth, a consolidated strategic research and innovation agenda had been written and published that served FutureFoodS. All partners, representing different stakeholder networks reviewed the SRIA. Also, specific attention had been paid to the science-to-policy interfaces (one deliverable), food system approaches and observatories (one deliverable and one draft deliverable), and the RIPE (R&I, Policy, Education) concept (one draft deliverable). Our findings have been largely debated in several workshops, SCAR events, and webinars.
Fifth, activities have been performed to engage with both local and global organizations and initiatives discussing trade-offs and co-benefits; this has led to the establishment of mirror groups which are described in detail in a deliverable, and translated into a practical tool. The latter is one of a newly developed FOODPathS toolkit (draft deliverable).
Sixth, quite some attention has been paid to the governance model and modus operandi of an ideal partnership. This has resulted in two deliverables, one review article providing a new governance model for SFS, one review about collaborative business models and, overall, a consensus about a modus operandi recognized and appreciated by very different stakeholders.
Finally, numerous communication and dissemination actions have been undertaken to interact with the diversity of actors potentially interested and involved in the future Partnership. Also, the number of joint meetings with other EU projects was increased (e.g. CLEVERFOOD).
Secondly, an extensive mapping study of 70+ case studies was carried out using the structure of a game; this has been partly explored in several Living Lab workshops and further studied in seven in-depth case studies. The insights have been incorporated in three deliverables, one scientific publication focused on co-creation processes, one book chapter addressing an SFS case study methodology, a case study template as a tool, and a virtual Knowledge Hub of food system labs which was launched via our website (possibly fueling the FutureFoodS website).
Third, using existing ranking schemes, universities have been listed based on their sustainability performance; additionally, a review has been made of food system education programs from elementary levels to life-long learning. This served as a basis for a university-driven network study and the development of a first sustainability chart (one draft deliverable, several workshops).
Fourth, a consolidated strategic research and innovation agenda had been written and published that served FutureFoodS. All partners, representing different stakeholder networks reviewed the SRIA. Also, specific attention had been paid to the science-to-policy interfaces (one deliverable), food system approaches and observatories (one deliverable and one draft deliverable), and the RIPE (R&I, Policy, Education) concept (one draft deliverable). Our findings have been largely debated in several workshops, SCAR events, and webinars.
Fifth, activities have been performed to engage with both local and global organizations and initiatives discussing trade-offs and co-benefits; this has led to the establishment of mirror groups which are described in detail in a deliverable, and translated into a practical tool. The latter is one of a newly developed FOODPathS toolkit (draft deliverable).
Sixth, quite some attention has been paid to the governance model and modus operandi of an ideal partnership. This has resulted in two deliverables, one review article providing a new governance model for SFS, one review about collaborative business models and, overall, a consensus about a modus operandi recognized and appreciated by very different stakeholders.
Finally, numerous communication and dissemination actions have been undertaken to interact with the diversity of actors potentially interested and involved in the future Partnership. Also, the number of joint meetings with other EU projects was increased (e.g. CLEVERFOOD).
Results beyond the state of the arts are:
• The number of funding organizations that joined FutureFoodS;
• The Finland FOODPathS Declaration on the Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems;
• The developed and tested methodology (several publications) that is useful for learning from more than 70 food systems with public, private, academic, philanthropic, and non-governmental actors, and their networks, locally till globally, and the launch of the virtual Knowledge Hub of FS Labs;
• A first-order prototype partnership based on a scientifically reviewed, novel, governance model, a detailed modus operandi by FS actors, the contours of an Observatory and Science-to-Policy Interfaces, an innovative RIPE concept elucidating food system approaches and connecting R&I to Policy and Education, a new mirror group concept for verifying trade-offs and co-benefits, and a first sustainability chart (still in development).
• The very substantial number of broad audience-oriented event presentations (often as invited speakers), social network actions, Sustainable Food Systems Network events, press releases, podcasts, leaflets, etc. that reflect the relevance of FOODPathS’ work.
• The preparation and review of the P-SFS SRIA, co-coordinated by FOODPathS, and its direct usage in FutureFoodS – without modifications – should be noted here as well.
• The number of funding organizations that joined FutureFoodS;
• The Finland FOODPathS Declaration on the Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems;
• The developed and tested methodology (several publications) that is useful for learning from more than 70 food systems with public, private, academic, philanthropic, and non-governmental actors, and their networks, locally till globally, and the launch of the virtual Knowledge Hub of FS Labs;
• A first-order prototype partnership based on a scientifically reviewed, novel, governance model, a detailed modus operandi by FS actors, the contours of an Observatory and Science-to-Policy Interfaces, an innovative RIPE concept elucidating food system approaches and connecting R&I to Policy and Education, a new mirror group concept for verifying trade-offs and co-benefits, and a first sustainability chart (still in development).
• The very substantial number of broad audience-oriented event presentations (often as invited speakers), social network actions, Sustainable Food Systems Network events, press releases, podcasts, leaflets, etc. that reflect the relevance of FOODPathS’ work.
• The preparation and review of the P-SFS SRIA, co-coordinated by FOODPathS, and its direct usage in FutureFoodS – without modifications – should be noted here as well.