Connected Labs for Empowering Versatile Engagement in Radical Food system transformation

Project Information

CLEVERFOOD

Grant agreement ID: 101086320

DOI

10.3030/101086320

EC signature date 9 November 2022

Start date 1 January 2023

End date 31 December 2026

Funded under

• Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment

Total cost

€ 7 999 981,25

EU contribution

€ 7 999 981,00

Coordinated by

KOBENHAVNS UNIVERSITET
Denmark

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - CLEVERFOOD (Connected Labs for Empowering Versatile Engagement in Radical Food system transformation)

Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Our current agriculture and food system is not sustainable – it threatens our health, destroys our ecosystems and contributes to climate breakdown. If we do not act now, we will not be able to provide prosperity, wellbeing and food security for farmers, food producers and citizens in the future. The overarching objectives of CLEVERFOOD is to mobilise all food system stakeholders at the local, regional, national and supra-national level and develop transformative governance models to shift the food system towards more fair, healthy and sustainable food production and consumption that will contribute to keeping the global average temperature below 1.5 °C global warming and staying within planetary boundaries, while at the same time ensuring proper nutrition and healthy diets, improving circularity and resource use efficiency, boosting innovation and empowering communities. The achievement of these objectives will require interdisciplinary collaboration that integrates natural sciences, social sciences and humanities for advance both technological, social and governance innovation.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

WP1: Developed and implemented an impact maximization plan, established the FOOD 2030 Project Collaboration Network, and initiated the FOOD 2030 Connected Lab Network with initial mapping of living labs.
WP2: Completed a comparative analysis of urban food policies, launched a peer learning program for city-regions, planned policy dialogues and roundtables, and began developing models for multi-level food system governance.
WP3: Analyzed living labs focused on technological and social innovations, initiated a collaborative living lab exchange, explored approaches to citizen and youth engagement, and mapped relevant digital technologies.
WP4: Organized Impact Investors Science Lab sessions, a multi-actor network event, and a dialogue on sustainable food procurement, co-organized the Agrifood Investment Launchpad, and began shared learning between impact investment end-users.
WP5: Developed a prototype for the FOOD 2030 Science Education toolkit, established an academic network for food system science, submitted a guidance document on higher education teaching, and piloted cross-project collaboration on education.
WP6: Assessed needs for multi-actor/public engagement, developed a Multi-actor and Public Engagement Toolkit, co-created an interactive exhibition, and began developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for engagement activities.
WP7: Identified mass audiences, co-created mass messaging and strategic campaigns, developed a strategy for utilizing influencers, and completed guidance on recruiting influencers for food system transformation.
WP8: Completed communication and stakeholder mapping reports, launched the FOOD 2030 Online Platform and social media accounts, created promotional materials, developed webpages for 80 projects, and published news and resources within the network.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Within the first 18 months, WP1 has exceeded expectations by growing the FOOD 2030 Project Collaboration Network to over 80 projects (well above the 30+ target) and nearly reaching 100 city-regions and 29 countries in the Connected Lab Network.
WP2 has completed a comparative analysis of urban food policies across 29 countries using a new mapping tool, while WP3 has begun connecting living labs and European Partnerships to co-create strategies for sustainable food value chains.
WP4 hosted five events with 49 impact investors and 147 stakeholders, and facilitated three events with 638 participants to advance food eco-labeling.
WP5 piloted cross-project collaboration on education and citizen science, involving 38 members in three online workshops, and initiated discussions on transforming higher education for food system competencies.
WP6 developed and piloted the FOOD 2030 Public Engagement Toolkit, co-created the Interactive Exhibition, and started monitoring public engagement and citizen empowerment.
WP7 faced delays in influencer campaigns but is prepared for RP2 with a revised strategy, curated messaging, a pool of 100+ potential influencers, and a ready-to-launch Instagram account.
WP8 has vastly exceeded its goal, with 75 projects on the FOOD 2030 Online Platform, 38 news posts, 55 resources, and over 17,000 unique visitors generating 40,285 pageviews.