On March 5th, 2025, key stakeholders of the SOSfood project gathered in Brussels for the 3rd Project Meeting, augmented by digital participation to foster inclusivity. The event at TOPOS Parliament was marked by a series of enlightening talks, robust discussions, and strategic planning, all aimed at advancing the project’s sustainability objectives.

 

Highlights from the Meeting

  • Opening Remarks: Initiated by Euro Coop’s Fabrizio Fabbri and Annalisa de Chirico, alongside UVIGO’s Jesús Simal-Gandara, the meeting commenced with a warm welcome and an agenda overview. This introduction set the stage for a day dedicated to tackling core challenges in sustainability within food systems.
  • Insights on Sustainability: Emy Zecca from UNIFE provided a comprehensive overview of the Sustainability Conceptual Framework, which was complemented by Koen Kuipers from SRU who delivered insights into regional sustainability strategies through a digital presentation.
  • Dynamic Discussions: Led by Jesús Simal-Gandara, the meeting engaged in an invigorating discussion centered around three pivotal case studies. The dialogue culminated in forming strategic perspectives for the project’s future, enhancing collaborative efforts among all participants.
  • Yearly Progress Review: This session reviewed various work packages, highlighting key achievements and outlining next steps. Discussions covered data strategies, impacts on ecosystems, and advancements in AI-based data tools, along with the initial rollout of the project’s app and dashboard.
  • Strategic Outreach and Operational Planning: The latter part of the meeting focused on updating the consortium on outreach strategies and reviewing operational deliverables. Irmantas Čepulis from AFL detailed progress on WP6 and shared insights into the dissemination efforts, while Eloy Miranda discussed the operational aspects crucial for moving forward.

 

Reflecting and Looking Forward

The meeting emphasized enhancing collaboration among scientific staff, researchers, and use case partners. This focus aimed at defining and establishing clear criteria to develop tools, systems, and policy recommendations for implementing sustainable methods and models to reduce food waste. The collaborative spirit was palpable throughout the sessions, reflecting our shared commitment to transformative solutions.

The meeting showcased the dedication and passion of all consortium members, whose contributions are vital to steering the project towards achieving its sustainability goals in food systems. The discussions not only reinforced our collaborative framework but also set a clear path for future endeavors.

We are enthusiastic to continue this journey and implement the strategies discussed, aiming for significant advancements in sustainable food systems.

SOSfood project is funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program. Funding does not represent endorsing. Neither REA nor the European Commission can be made responsible for the views and opinions of the project partners.