In FOSTER, we aim to share science-based information about food systems with the public. For that, we established our FOSTER Platform, the place for communication, learning and foresight results. The FOSTER digital Platform was updated with the links from the Horizon Scanning activities – the links were rechecked, and some new links were added. The FOSTER context scenarios are also available on the platform. Meanwhile, we prepared our repository of other EU projects, where you can get some useful information about food-related projects and get links to these projects.
We would also like to know your questions about food systems and their futures, therefore, waiting for your questions or suggestions! Click on “ask your question” button to leave your questions.
At the University of Hohenheim’s Agricultural University Day, our FOSTER project partners Uli Ostarhild from the Food Policy Council Stuttgart and Prof. Verena Seufert from the University of Hohenheim, had the opportunity to discuss the question ‘Working the fields together – how can practice and science research together at eye level?’. The discussion took place in a fishbowl format and included several ‘tandems’, i.e. project partners from both science and practice, showcasing examples of transdisciplinary research projects in an agri-food system context. The FOSTER team provided an example from the civil society perspective, while other examples came from transdisciplinary projects focusing on production and processing.
But what does transdisciplinary research actually mean? In contrast to disciplinary or interdisciplinary research, in transdisciplinary research, stakeholders from practice are involved in the scientific process on an equal footing from the outset.
As the Food Policy Council Stuttgart, we are starting our triangle project in the next few weeks together with the FOSTER team from Prof. Verena Seufert, and a large industrial company as a third (practice) partner on the topic of sustainable regional public catering.
We are very confident that this research approach within the framework of FOSTER food systems will lead us to direct and effective solutions for more sustainable public catering. Our vision is to make a contribution to a transition towards a more climate-friendly diet with many stakeholders, locally in Stuttgart, along the entire supply chain, from production to the dining table.
On October 9th and 10th 2024, FOSTER had a two-day event, comprising a Project Meeting and a Joint Workshop of FOSTER consortium and FOSTER science-policy expert panel. The event was held in Brussels, Belgium at the Representation of the State of Lower Saxony to the European Union.
Project Meeting 2024
On October 9th, project members – including academic partners, Change Driven Initiatives (CDIs) and theChair of the FOSTER Expert Panel, Janet Dwyer (University of Gloucestershire) – came together to reflect on FOSTER’s progress over the past two years. The main theme was exploring FOSTER’s contributions to transforming the food system and enhancing knowledge and innovation within it.
During the meeting, members shared project status updates, recapped recent Summer School activities, and discussed foresight tools used in those sessions. CDIs shared experiences, successes and challenges from their recent work, following by a dedicated session focused on their stakeholder maps and steps to achieve the desired FOKIS diagrams. The project’s communication and dissemination activities were reviewed, and members previewed the first version of the FOSTER video, soon to be shared with a wider audience.
This meeting was a great opportunity for FOSTER to gather together with the consortium members and the Chair of the FOSTER Expert Panel Janet Dwyer for fruitful discussions and evaluation of the project practices and achievements, and for finding new solutions to approach our ambitious and complex goal of food system transformation.
Joint Workshop of FOSTER consortium and FOSTER science-policy expert panel
On October 10th, the Joint Workshop allowed CDIs and expert panel members to meet in person for the first time. This exchange facilitated a dialogue aimed at improving governance and policies that foster knowledge and innovation. The project’s ultimate goal is to identify ways to adapt, include, and govern knowledge and innovation systems that help transform Europe’s food system to enhance public health, protect the environment, promote fairness, and support sustainable businesses.
The FOSTER Expert Panel, established to translate research insights into policy recommendations, comprises experts in policy processes. In this first Sci-Pol Expert Panel meeting, participants explored a range of EU-level policy instruments that could impact food initiatives. This direct exchange with food initiatives provided valuable insights for policies supporting the shift toward healthier, greener, and more resilient food systems in Europe.
Throughout various sessions, CDIs presented their missions and visions, sharing insights and exploring opportunities for innovation and transformation with the expert panel. Later, invited policy advisors joined for informal discussions with CDIs, fostering connections between food initiatives and formal research, innovation, and knowledge structures.
This gathering introduced participants to the FOSTER project’s mission and vision, the participating food initiatives, and relevant EU policy instruments, setting the stage for continued collaboration in promoting food system transformation.