Periodic Reporting for period 2 - SWITCH (Switching european food systems for a just, healthy and sustainable dietary transition through knowledge and innovation)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2024-07-01 do 2025-12-31
The SWITCH project aims to address knowledge gaps, accessibility issues, and facilitation of barriers that prevent the widespread adoption of sustainable and healthy diets among Europeans. It is developing and showcasing innovative solutions and tools to promote fair transitions towards healthier and more sustainable eating behaviours across the EU's multi-actor food system. The primary challenge is the limited understanding of factors influencing dietary choices, hindering large-scale adoption of sustainable diets. The project employs a systemic multi-actor and co-creation strategy to create equitable solutions that encourage positive behaviour along the entire food chain. The solutions identified are being translated into practical experiences to be tested with the local actors in 6 Food HUBs which represent living labs in 5 different countries across Europe: Rome and Lazio region (Italy), Cagliari and Sardinia region (Italy), San Sebastian and Basque region (Spain), Montpellier Metropolis and Occitanie région (France), Berlin and Federal State of Brandenburg (Germany) and Göteborg and Västra Götaland region (Sweden).
The SWITCH project has made significant progress across the various work packages into which the project is divided. Project coordination, management and ethics requirements have been successfully carried out.
A EU-wide assessment of food systems and consumption patterns was completed to support the 6 Food Hubs. Integrated agronomic, nutritional and socioeconomic data, combined with FAOSTAT and EFSA sources, fed into a multi-level database and analytical framework to monitor dietary trends across regions and population groups. The resulting evidence and tools strengthened sustainability indicators, informed decision-making on healthy diets, and enabled more accurate modelling of food demand and demographic differences.
A set of healthy and sustainable reference diet models for Europe was developed, supported by a comprehensive database combining nutritional and environmental indicators. Tailored dietary portfolios were produced for different population groups and regional contexts, alongside clear criteria to guide local food-system interventions. The science-based food database has been translated into a user-friendly platform, the SWITCH Food Explorer that enables the translation of scientific evidence into actionable guidance.
A social assessment, a realist conceptual model and a psychosocial assessment framework were developed to monitor and evaluate the social drivers and barriers influencing Hubs’ activities. Special focus was placed on vulnerable groups, and an agent-based modelling simulator was developed and tested in one Hub to explore behavioural change mechanisms.
A comprehensive Action Plan for each Food Hub details the pilot actions outlined in the 6 Food Hubs, with implementation actively underway. Out of the 29 planned activities, 11 have been completed, while analysis of results remains ongoing. Outcomes are evaluated using a KPI-driven framework, ensuring alignment between activities and the supporting digital tools.
A series of developments of digital and technical innovations to facilitate food sector engagement was carried out. The SWITCH DataLake is now fully operational, while Machine-Learning tools for dietary profiling and the Digital Hub Experience have been prototyped and tested for citizens, chefs, and policymakers. SmartCounter and MyFreshFood were enhanced and piloted across Hubs, enabling improved data collection, monitoring of behaviour change, and public engagement on food quality and sustainability.
The EU scenario of food dietary patterns and environmental and socio-economic shifts is ongoing in order to develop the integrated modelling within the GLOBIOM model to produce national and EU-level scenarios of impacts from switch diets to ultimately inform policymakers.
An operational framework was established to support collaboration with the EC and relevant projects, aiming to provide evidence-based policy recommendations that promote healthy, personalised, and sustainable dietary behaviours.
SWITCH strengthened stakeholder and citizen engagement across EU, through enhanced communication , dissemination and exploitation activities, producing multilingual magazines, infographics, and digital materials to communicate complex scientific content. Over 130 events were organised, enhancing visibility and public involvement.
A EU-wide assessment of food systems and consumption patterns was completed to support the 6 Food Hubs. Integrated agronomic, nutritional and socioeconomic data, combined with FAOSTAT and EFSA sources, fed into a multi-level database and analytical framework to monitor dietary trends across regions and population groups. The resulting evidence and tools strengthened sustainability indicators, informed decision-making on healthy diets, and enabled more accurate modelling of food demand and demographic differences.
A set of healthy and sustainable reference diet models for Europe was developed, supported by a comprehensive database combining nutritional and environmental indicators. Tailored dietary portfolios were produced for different population groups and regional contexts, alongside clear criteria to guide local food-system interventions. The science-based food database has been translated into a user-friendly platform, the SWITCH Food Explorer that enables the translation of scientific evidence into actionable guidance.
A social assessment, a realist conceptual model and a psychosocial assessment framework were developed to monitor and evaluate the social drivers and barriers influencing Hubs’ activities. Special focus was placed on vulnerable groups, and an agent-based modelling simulator was developed and tested in one Hub to explore behavioural change mechanisms.
A comprehensive Action Plan for each Food Hub details the pilot actions outlined in the 6 Food Hubs, with implementation actively underway. Out of the 29 planned activities, 11 have been completed, while analysis of results remains ongoing. Outcomes are evaluated using a KPI-driven framework, ensuring alignment between activities and the supporting digital tools.
A series of developments of digital and technical innovations to facilitate food sector engagement was carried out. The SWITCH DataLake is now fully operational, while Machine-Learning tools for dietary profiling and the Digital Hub Experience have been prototyped and tested for citizens, chefs, and policymakers. SmartCounter and MyFreshFood were enhanced and piloted across Hubs, enabling improved data collection, monitoring of behaviour change, and public engagement on food quality and sustainability.
The EU scenario of food dietary patterns and environmental and socio-economic shifts is ongoing in order to develop the integrated modelling within the GLOBIOM model to produce national and EU-level scenarios of impacts from switch diets to ultimately inform policymakers.
An operational framework was established to support collaboration with the EC and relevant projects, aiming to provide evidence-based policy recommendations that promote healthy, personalised, and sustainable dietary behaviours.
SWITCH strengthened stakeholder and citizen engagement across EU, through enhanced communication , dissemination and exploitation activities, producing multilingual magazines, infographics, and digital materials to communicate complex scientific content. Over 130 events were organised, enhancing visibility and public involvement.
The SWITCH project established a scientific foundation for dietary guidance, producing a food sustainability index, a database with nutritional and environmental indicators, and evidence-based recommendations for healthy diets, including vulnerable groups. Analysis of EU dietary patterns revealed overconsumption of red meat and cheese, low fish intake, and insufficient fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains, alongside significant environmental impacts. Findings informed Food Hub activities, with continuous updates to tools and resources supporting local implementation and policy recommendations.
The project carried out the psychosocial and vulnerability analyses which provided actionable evidence to optimize Hub activities and support equitable, sustainable dietary transitions. Realist evaluations identified what works for whom under which circumstances, providing insights into facilitators and barriers across Hubs. Vulnerability assessments highlighted demographic and social disparities, informing targeted support for low-SES and migrant groups through qualitative methods such as photo walks and food diaries.
Monitoring and evaluation of the Food Hub activities showed that interventions positively influenced participants’ capacities to adopt healthy and sustainable dietary behaviours. Preliminary results demonstrate measurable impacts including increased consumption of legumes in Sardinia, reduced mass-retail shopping in Montpellier, and substantial growth in plant-based product sales in Sweden, with associated reductions in climate footprint.
The SWITCH digital tools demonstrate effective engagement, actionable insights, and scalable support for healthier, sustainable food systems across the 6 Food Hubs.
The project’s research activities shows that adopting healthy and sustainable diets across Europe can significantly reduce diet-related deaths, lower food-system emissions, and boost regional economic activity through increased horticulture and aquaculture. While dietary shifts generate clear health, environmental, and socio-economic benefits, achieving a fully sustainable EU food system will require parallel technological, agricultural, and policy actions.
The project carried out the psychosocial and vulnerability analyses which provided actionable evidence to optimize Hub activities and support equitable, sustainable dietary transitions. Realist evaluations identified what works for whom under which circumstances, providing insights into facilitators and barriers across Hubs. Vulnerability assessments highlighted demographic and social disparities, informing targeted support for low-SES and migrant groups through qualitative methods such as photo walks and food diaries.
Monitoring and evaluation of the Food Hub activities showed that interventions positively influenced participants’ capacities to adopt healthy and sustainable dietary behaviours. Preliminary results demonstrate measurable impacts including increased consumption of legumes in Sardinia, reduced mass-retail shopping in Montpellier, and substantial growth in plant-based product sales in Sweden, with associated reductions in climate footprint.
The SWITCH digital tools demonstrate effective engagement, actionable insights, and scalable support for healthier, sustainable food systems across the 6 Food Hubs.
The project’s research activities shows that adopting healthy and sustainable diets across Europe can significantly reduce diet-related deaths, lower food-system emissions, and boost regional economic activity through increased horticulture and aquaculture. While dietary shifts generate clear health, environmental, and socio-economic benefits, achieving a fully sustainable EU food system will require parallel technological, agricultural, and policy actions.