FOODPathS Festival: Building tomorrow’s Sustainable Food Systems together

The FOODPathS Festival programme is designed to inspire and stimulate the discussion with participants on how to make food systems sustainable through the collaboration among different stakeholders, working together (in partnership) on Research & Innovation, science for Policy and Education (RIPE).

On the first day, participants will discover more about how FOODPathS envisage the multi-actor collaboration on food systems sustainability, launching its “prototype” for a partnership. After that, they will be inspired by talks focusing on the context, spanning from policy to society.

The second day is dedicated to the discussion of the elements of the prototype: having in mind inputs received on the first day, participants will provide their feedback on the proposed solution, sharing suggestions for their improvement and possible scenarios for their adoption.

On the last and final day, the discussion will focus on the uptake of the partnership prototype and on the FOODPathS future work. Stakeholders of the food systems will dialogue around the if and how the solutions proposed can improve their collaborative work to transform food systems, complemented by a final session to discuss the future steps and the role that FOODPathS can have in this process.

During the whole event, participants will interact and network each other; moreover, thanks to posters presented by FOODPathS partners and other initiatives, they have the possibility to learn and share about ongoing initiatives and future opportunities on the food systems challenges.

Day 2: 21 May 2025 — Landing the SFS Partnership prototype into the reality

8:30-9:00 | Registration of participants

09:00-09:15 | Discussing the Partnership’s puzzle pieces – Introduction (Plenary, livestream📺)

The scope of the second day of the conference is to dive into each puzzle piece composing the FOODPathS proposed prototype and discuss them. After a short introduction, participants will join parallel sessions where they can discuss aspects related to education, observatory system for a partnership, funding mechanism, inclusion of stakeholders, etc. In each session, they can share their views, experience, best practices and learn from each other; moreover, participants can provide feedback on if and how they intend to adopt and use FOODPathS’ results and suggestions for working in partnership at local, national and global levels.

09:00-09:15 | Expectations and introduction 

Hugo De Vries, INRAE, FOODpathS Coordinator

09:15-10:45 | From the prototype to the reality (Parallel sessions)

Participants can choose from the following sessions:

Session 1.1 – A “Manual” for a Partnership

If you are considering setting up a partnership, or if you are active member of a partnership, and you need a guiding document (‘Manual’), this session proposes one. The Manual is based on 3 years of FOODPathS work and presents a puzzle of inter-linked elements that deal with the functioning of a partnership (like governance, modus operandi, food system approaches, RIPE concept, Funding Strategies, Observatories, Knowledge Hub of FS Labs, Network of University-driven Ecosystems, Mirror Groups and Engagement Strategies). In an interactive session, you will all have the opportunity to provide feedback on the Manual, suggestions for missing puzzle pieces, and recommendations for usage.

Session 1.2 – Transforming funding approaches for transformative food systems R&I

In order to maximise the impact of food systems R&I, programming and funding processes need to enable systems approaches and true co-creation. Following this mission, through a series of six interactive Funders Forum events over the past two years, we explored various elements of the funding cycle together as well as how to align stakeholders and strategies. During this session we will recap what we learned from the Funders Forum events and invite the participants on a roadtrip through the elements and lessons with us. Join us in a drive-through (world café) format to validate our findings and ideas on ”how to plan, design, evaluate, fund and perform R&I to transform our food systems“.

Join this session to co-shape the future of research funding!

Session 1.3 – Enhancing collaboration through the Knowledge Hub

This joint session between FOODPathS and FutureFoodS will explore how to build a shared European Knowledge Hub to accelerate the sustainable transformation of food systems. FOODPathS will present the work carried out so far, including the prototype of its Knowledge Hub and key insights from stakeholder engagement activities. Together with FutureFoodS, the session will explore ways to align efforts and join forces in developing a common space that supports collaboration, knowledge sharing, and systemic innovation across Europe. Selected case studies from Food System Labs will showcase collaborative approaches to tackling food system challenges. Through interactive discussions, participants will contribute to the co-design of the Hub, providing feedback on its features and exploring how it can best connect people, ideas, and initiatives across sectors.

Join us to co-shape a dynamic platform that strengthens connections, bridges silos, and supports the transition towards resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.

☕ ☕10:45-11:15 | Coffee Break, Networking & Posters ☕☕

11:15-12:45 | From the prototype to the reality (Parallel sessions)

Participants can choose from the following sessions:

Session 2.1 – Portfolio management, science advice and education: what is the link?

This session will present and discuss the conceptual framework ‘RIPE’ with a focus on the science-to-policy interface and education. The discussion will highlight how portfolio management plays a role in aligning Food Systems (FS) education programs with policy frameworks. After a few short presentations, the session will be concluded by a panel discussion with external speakers, with the scope to reach a deeper understanding of stakeholder interactions and their needs, as a well as perform a critical analysis of the ‘RIPE’ framework in the context of education and the science-to-policy interface.

Presentations will be delivered by:

• Christian Bugge Henriksen, CLEVERFOOD coordinator
• Anna Verhoeve, Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO)
• Laura Borge, EIT Food

Session 2.2 – Inclusive Partnerships in real-life: a major challenge

This session will discuss the way different Food System actors are really engaged, their views are mirrored, their voices are listened to, their actions combined, and their interactions with external parties transformed into co-benefits, to collectively tackle our global & local challenges. After a short presentation on challenges and opportunities shared with FOODPathS partners on how to create an inclusive partnership, speakers will provide practical examples to spark a discussion with the festival attendees in the room.

The speakers in this session participated to the FOODPathS Mirror Groups and they are:

• • • Wineke Remijnse, European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians (EFAD)
    • Annie Trevenen Jones, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
    • Samuele Pii, European Regions for Innovation in Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ERIAFF)
    • Jacqueline Broerse, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam – Athena Institute
    • Almudena Garcia Sastre, FIAN Europe

🥗 🥗12:45-14:15 | Lunch Break 🥗🥗

14:15-15:30 | Bringing all the puzzle pieces together (Plenary, livestream📺)

The session will start with the presentation of the main insights coming from each parallel sessions, followed by a panel discussion in which food systems’ actors will comment and discuss around the morning sessions.

14:15-14:45 | Reports from parallel sessions

Short pitches from rapporteurs of each session.

14:45-15:30 | Composing the puzzle: how can it work in the real world?

Moderation: Jasmina Von Driel, ZonMw

• Anna Bruen, ICLEI, FoodPathS
• Claude Yven, ANR, FutureFoodS Coordinator
• Katalin Toth, Joint Research Centre
• Simone Maccaferri, Circular Bioeconomy Europe Joint Undertaking
• Elke Saggau, SCAR Foresight

From 15:30 | Discovering, sharing and learning: examples of partnerships in the real world (Study visits, capacity building)

Participants can interact with examples of partnerships that are already working in the practice. This programme is optional and participants must register with a separate link (that they will receive via email from the EUFIC team after they finalise the registration for the conference). All the study visits will happen on another venue (participants will be guided by the FOODPathS staff), except for the capacity building (option 2). Please, note that seats for each option are limited, and participants will be selected based on the principle “first come, first served”. Participants can choose from the following options:

Option 1 – Visiting the Ferme du parc Maximilien & Cocktail (📍Quai du Batelage 2)

The Ferme du Parc Maximilien is an urban animated farm that has been in existence since 1989. Its main missions are environmental awareness and education. These are pursued through ecological events for the general public, offering an unusual space for biodiversity in the heart of Brussels. These activities go hand in hand with increased environmental awareness: organization of sustainable events, collective vegetable gardens, wastewater treatment, renewable energy, waste treatment, various composting methods, low-tech environmental innovation laboratory, etc. In addition to its educational aspect, the Ferme du parc Maximilien is an important bastion of cultural initiatives for its neighborhood, and a genuine place of social cohesion through the creation of novel partnerships and the heterogeneity of its audiences.

The tour of the farm will be enriched with the presentation of urban farming and food systems innovation projects, and it will end with the testing of local products and a cocktail.

Option 2 – How to Apply Social Norms to Reduce Food Waste & Networking-Apéro (Capacity building 📍Ateliers des Tanneurs)

Did you ever overdo it with the quantity of food you cooked when you had guests over for dinner? Or were you too shy to ask for a doggy bag at a fancy restaurant? That’s likely due to social norms—unwritten, yet powerful rules that influence people’s behaviours.

You are just starting, or already actively working to reduce food waste and are looking to enhance the effectiveness of your efforts? The CHORIZO Project has developed a capacity building programme for you! Participating in this activity you will learn:

• • • What are social norms and how to identify them in a given context
    • Why are they relevant to food waste in your sector
    • How to design and run your own social norm-informed food waste intervention along our 8-step approach

At the end of the session, you will have the possibility to exchange and network with the other participants enjoying drinks and snacks!

Option 3 –  “No Waste Republic”: the “taste” of food circularity (📍Rue Ropsy Chaudron 24)

No Waste Republic is an innovative company founded in 2022 with the mission to drive the transition of the food industry towards a circular model. The company has developed a unique solution to upcycle surplus bread by transforming it into high-quality breadcrumbs for breaded products (croquettes, meats, tempura shrimp, etc.). With this visit, you will explore the challenges and opportunities of reducing food waste and building a truly circular business. The discussion will dive into the complexities of food waste in today’s economy, the innovations shaping the future, and how businesses like “No Waste Republic” are turning discarded ingredients into high-quality, delicious products. To make this experience tangible, the group will have the chance to taste some products using their ingredients, showcasing that sustainability and great food go hand in hand.

Option 4 – Visiting the BIGH aquaponic urban farm and products’ tasting (📍Rue Ropsy Chaudron 24)

BIGH (Building Integrated GreenHouses) is a pioneering company in sustainable urban agriculture, based in Brussels. They specialize in developing aquaponic farms that integrate seamlessly with city infrastructure, transforming unused rooftop space into hubs of circular food production. BIGH combines fish farming, hydroponics, and smart energy use to grow fresh vegetables, herbs, and fish with minimal environmental impact. Their flagship project, the Ferme Abattoir, is a model for sustainable, local food systems, demonstrating how cities can produce high-quality, eco-friendly food while reducing waste and emissions. Participants will have the possibility to know more about aquaponics, explore the BIGH premises (an outdoor garden with two beehives, fruit/vegetable greenhouse, the herbal greenhouse and the fish farm) and to taste their products.