VISION4FOOD builds on past research and innovation projects and creates Food Innovation Platforms (FIPs)—spaces where different groups can collaborate to make the food system more open, fair, and efficient. It focuses on:
- Inclusivity – Making sure everyone involved in food (farmers, businesses, consumers) has a say.
- Sustainability – Reducing the impact of food production on the environment and making systems more resilient to crises.
- Efficiency – Using resources wisely and minimizing waste.
- Health & Affordability – Ensuring access to nutritious, affordable food.
By using new governance models, digital tools, and knowledge-sharing networks, VISION4FOOD will help these regions develop smarter, more sustainable food systems. It will also support the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy and the goal of increasing organic food production to 25%.
The project will test its ideas in regions with different levels of experience in innovation—from well-developed (like Finland) to emerging ones (like Poland). It will also expand to other European regions to share lessons and create stronger, more connected food innovation ecosystems across the EU.
Objectives
- Analyze food system value chains and innovation ecosystems to identify challenges and opportunities, helping improve research and innovation (R&I) with a "food systems" approach to support EU's Farm to Fork strategy and Food 2030 goals.
- Develop new governance models and tools to help key stakeholders (government, industry, academia, and society) collaborate and drive food system innovation at the regional level.
- Establish open and inclusive Food Innovation Platforms to engage local food system actors and create tailored strategies for accelerating innovation.
- Implement these strategies in five EU regions, strengthening local innovation ecosystems and expanding their focus on food systems.
- Share findings with other regions through knowledge exchange, helping policymakers create better environments for food system innovation across the EU.
Project information
Website: www.vision4foodproject.eu
Project coordinator: WHITE RESEARCH SRL (WR)
Duration: 1 January 2025 - 31 December 2027
Funding program: European Union’s HORIZON
Grant Agreement no: 101183145