As the lead partner in the European Food Trails project, the City of Milan and the Italian innovation hub Cariplo Factory have just launched a call for start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises with the aim of identifying innovative solutions with which to improve the sustainability of food systems in 11 European cities. The successful entities will have the opportunity to develop pilot projects within the eleven Living Labs (innovation living labs) of Food Trails by establishing strategic alliances with one or more cities, collaborating with key players in the European food system and innovation landscape, and meeting with potential investors. The four-year (2020-2024) Food Trails project, funded by the Eu Horizon 2020 program, brings together a consortium of 19 European partners, including 11 cities, three universities and five organizations, led by the City of Milan.
Anna Scavuzzo, deputy mayor of Milan, explains, “Through the Food Trails project, the city of Milan has initiated and strengthened collaborations with several European cities to foster the exchange of knowledge and best practices on the topic of food policy in urban areas. In particular, the research and innovation actions on the food system, areas relevant to Milan’s Food Policy and carried out together with Fondazione Cariplo and Cariplo Factory, will allow us to engage new start-ups on the topic of sustainability and expand the number of stakeholders engaged in the implementation of the Food Policy.”
The project aims to support cities in designing, developing and implementing innovative, sustainable and inclusive food policies. Start-ups and SMEs will be identified that are based not only in Milan but also in participating cities such as Bergamo, Birmingham, Bordeaux, Copenhagen, Funchal, Grenoble, Groningen, Thessaloniki, Tirana, and Warsaw. Seven thematic areas for which start-ups and SMEs can apply with their projects to develop innovative solutions and services: education and training; communication and engagement; food waste reduction; data collection and monitoring; healthy food access and production processes; urban agriculture and gardens; and food packaging. The deadline for the notice is February 16, 2023.
