European project CLEVERFOOD launches a call to select up to 40 fellows for its peer-learning programme.
Are you a city or another entity implementing a food policy lab or a food policy council? Do you wish to learn from experienced peers, give visibility to your initiative, and expand your network?
The CLEVERFOOD peer-learning programme aims to support food policy labs and councils in facilitating the exchange of experiences to address challenges and develop solutions for creating food system governance strategies and policies.
The program is currently seeking fellows through an open call.
Participants will have the exciting opportunity to learn from experienced peers, exchange about common challenges, and expand their knowledge. They will also benefit from Eurocities’ expertise in organizing peer-learning programs and promoting knowledge-sharing for local actions. The program provides engagement opportunities such as participating in 2-day peer-learning in-person visits to observe the running of food policy labs and food policy councils, as well as online webinars supporting multi-actor initiatives.
The initiative targets labs and food policy councils in EU member states or approved Horizon Europe Associated Countries. These entities must be policy-oriented, actively involving stakeholders, and contribute to developing food system governance strategies and policies at the city or national level.
Do you want to learn more about this opportunity and become part of this exciting process? Read the full call and apply by completing the form by 27 September 2024.
FAQs
What is meant by food policy labs and food policy councils?
By food policy labs and food policy councils, we refer to initiatives and pilot actions that actively involve stakeholders and operate within specific territories, such as cities and metropolitan areas. These initiatives contribute to social innovation and policymaking towards sustainable food systems.
A food policy council is an informal or formal network engaging diverse stakeholders to design and contribute to their local food system and/or local food policy. Food policy councils can be initiated and coordinated by local authorities or by civil society. Other terms used are “Food partnership” (UK) or “Food policy networks”.
For example, in the Food Trails project, partner cities developed pilot actions that provided evidence for creating urban food policies. What does this mean? Local actions in various fields (school canteens, food waste, food education, etc.) contributed to policy development and helped shape the food governance systems in these cities, resulting in the development and approval of food policies in some of them.
Does the initiative need to be linked to the development of food strategies and policies?
Yes. This connection to the policy and governance level is essential for participating in the Peer-Learning Programme. One of the programme’s focuses is to explore how these initiatives can effectively put food system transformation on the policy agenda in city-regions.
Does the initiative need to be implemented in a municipality?
The initiative does not have to be implemented in a municipality. However, it is essential that the initiative is connected to the development of local food governance strategies and policies, and contributes to them.
Who implements these initiatives?
These initiatives are typically implemented by cities and local authorities. However, they can also be carried out by universities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and other local entities. If you have a doubt, do not hesitate to contact Chiara Roticiani, Eurocities Project Officer, at chiara.roticiani@eurocities.eu.
What legal status should participants to the Peer-Learning have?
The entity implementing the food policy lab or food policy council can apply to participate in the Peer-Learning Programme. These entities include public institutions such as cities and local authorities, as well as other actors like universities, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO), Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and other local entities etc. They are eligible to apply as long as they have sufficient staff and financial resources and can commit to implementing the activities of the Peer-Learning Programme.
How will learning clusters be formed?
Learning clusters will be formed based on the Demonstrators’ areas of expertise (as indicated in the application form) and the learning needs and interests of the Fellows (as indicated in the application form). Additionally, Fellows will have the opportunity to express their interest in being matched with a specific Demonstrator by completing an open-text section in the application. Eurocities will also seek to opportunities for strategic collaboration between participants based on the inputs provided.
Is it possible to withdraw the application?
Before the start of the collaboration, it is possible to withdraw the application by contacting Chiara Roticiani, Eurocities Project Officer, at chiara.roticiani@eurocities.eu. However, please note that the success of the Peer-Learning Programme will depend on the active engagement of all participants.
After the start of the collaboration, Eurocities will ask participants to sign a declaration of commitment where specific terms and conditions for withdrawing from the programme will be explained.
Why should I apply?
Participants will have the opportunity to:
- Meet and exchange about challenges and best practices for food policy labs and food policy councils by visiting experienced peers;
- Receive funding to organize and participate in peer-learning visits;
- Receive technical support and tools to develop action plans to transfer the insights gained;
- Receive seed funding to implement the activities outlined in their action plan in their local context;
- Expand and strengthen your network of municipalities and food system actors working towards sustainable food systems;
- Gain visibility through the FOOD 2030 Networks’ communication activities related to the peer-learning programme;
- Benefit from Eurocities’ expertise in organising peer-learning programmes for cities and local authorities.