Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Programme 2014 - 2020 Interreg Europe

Date of latest update: 2026-03-28

Description

Description (EN):

The growing European population has ever-higher expectations related to food quality and sustainability in terms of processing, packaging, storage, waste reduction, distribution and retail. Innovation plays a key role in meeting these needs and fostering sustainable food chains fit for the future. The aim of the FoodChains 4 Europe project is to improve the implementation of regional policies that stimulate the delivery of innovation to create sustainable food chains in five participating regions: Flevoland (NL), Plovdiv/Sofia (BG), Emilia-Romagna (IT), Maramures (RO) and Greater Manchester (UK). These regions all have large food sectors that provide social and economic benefits for their citizens. However, each region recognises that the only way to remain competitive is to improve the sustainability of this sector. This requires innovation in all stages and aspects of the food chain. FoodChains 4 Europe will focus on innovation that contributes to the environmental sustainability of the food chain whilst contributing to social sustainability through increased access to high quality food. The consortium will support food sector businesses to deliver these innovations, both on financial and technological aspects In order to achieve this, regional authorities and universities will partner in each region and work with other regional stakeholders to share and exchange their expertise in food innovation during a series of peer reviews and interregional learning activities. Based on this exchange, each region will develop and implement an action plan that enables regional businesses to deliver sustainable innovations in the food chain. The sustainable innovations will be developed with support of the European programmes for Growth and Jobs in the participating regions. Indeed, the regional and national Managing Authorities of the programmes are heavily involved in all activities of this project.

Achievements (EN):

In terms of activities, the project has organised a total of 55 policy learning events. It has also identified 7 good practices, produced 5 action plans and led to the increased capacity of 63 people. In terms of results, the project has succeeded in improving 5 regional development policies for a total amount of funds influenced of EUR 3,792,050. 00.

Website: https://www.interregeurope.eu/interreg-europe-2014-2020

Expected Results (EN):

The objective of the FoodChains 4 Europe project is to improve the implementation of regional policies that stimulate the delivery of innovation to create more sustainable food chains. Our project will focus on innovation that contributes to both the environmental sustainability of the food chain and the social sustainability of the food chain. The FoodChains 4 Europe project will address all stages of the food chain post farm, including product development, processing, packaging and distribution. SUB-OBJECTIVES: -FoodChains 4 Europe will create an international network of regional authorities, universities and stakeholders who jointly support the delivery of innovation in their regional food chains. -FoodChains 4 Europe will organize and facilitate the exchange of experience and policy learning between its partners and stakeholders. The exchange will focus on the environmental and social sustainability dimensions of the food chain and on technical and financial aspects of the innovation process. -FoodChains 4 Europe will develop action plans for each region to improve the implementation of regional ERDF policy instruments for delivery of innovation. These plans will include concrete actions that contribute to sustainable food chain innovations in the partner regions co-funded by regional Investment for Growth and Jobs programmes. -FoodChains 4 Europe will disseminate the practices and experiences gained to other regions in Europe and beyond.

Expected Outputs (EN):

RESULTS: Our interregional cooperation will result in the improved implementation of the ERDF policy instruments addressed by our partners. This will lead to an improved delivery of sustainable innovations by companies in the food sector in our regions. The policies addressed and results are as follows: Kansen voor West (EDRF OP West Netherlands 2014-2020). – Increased share of food SMEs that innovate. Operational programme "Innovation and Competitiveness" 2014-2020 (Bulgaria). - Increased share of innovative enterprises as % of all food enterprises. Emilia-Romagna ERDF Regional Operational Programme 2014-2020. - Increased share of companies of the food industry that have carried out R&D activities in collaboration with public or private research institutions. Regional Operational Programme (ERDF) 2014-2020, Romania. - Increase of the share of innovative SMEs in the food industry in the Maramures region. Greater Manchester European Structural Investment Fund 2014-2020. - Increased number of small and medium enterprises (in the food sector) that are innovation active. OUTPUT-EXCHANGE OF EXPERIENCE: 4 interregional learning workshop with the focus on envrionmental and social sustainability and financial, technical aspects of the innovation process . 10 good practices defined (2 per region). 30 regional stakeholder meetings ( 6 per region) . 5 baselines for peer reviews defined (1 per region). 5 peer reviews (1 per region). 5 reports with recommendations for regional action plan defined (1 per region). 5 action plans (1 per region) developed. OUTPUT-COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION: 1 communication plan prepared. 1 website created and filled with project information (connected to programme website) with links to social media. 75 appearances in press and media (*Remark 60 articles in pase 1 and 15 articles in phase 2). 6 newsletter developed and disseminated. 1 Project brochure developed and disseminated. 1 Prezi/powerpoint presentation developed. 2 Banners/ Posters created. 9 updates of website (*Remark: We will update our website at least 5 times in phase 1, and at least 4 times). 5 youtube clips (1 per region). 1 dissemination event (semester 6). 1 final high-level political dissemination event (semester 9). 1 final report for phase 1. 1 final project report. OUTPUT-PROJECT MANAGEMENT: 1 Subsidy contract is signed by lead partner and managing authority of the programme. 1 Partnership agreement signed by all partners . 8 meeting of monitoring committee/project meetings (*Remark: We will organize 6 meetings in phase 1 and 2 meetings in phase 2). 1 meeting of financial managers. 1 financial handbook developed. 1 management system developed. 8 progress reports (*Remark: We will submit 6 reports for phase 1 and 2 reports in phase 2 in accordance to schedule of Joint Secretary).

Thematic information

Institutional cooperation and cooperation networks Agriculture and fisheries and forestry

Specific Objective:

Improve the implementation of regional development policies and programmes, in particular programmes for Investment for Growth and Jobs and, where relevant, ETC programmes, that support the delivery of innovation by actors in regional innovation chains in areas of “smart specialisation” and innovation opportunity

Thematic Objective: (01) strengthening research, technological development and innovation by:

Investment Priority:

(01b) promoting business investment in R&I, developing links and synergies between enterprises, research and development centres and the higher education sector, in particular promoting investment in product and service development, technology transfer, social innovation, eco-innovation, public service applications, demand stimulation, networking, clusters and open innovation through smart specialisation, and supporting technological and applied research, pilot lines, early product validation actions, advanced manufacturing capabilities and first production, in particular in key enabling technologies and diffusion of general purpose technologies

Partners (10)

Lead Partner: Provincie Flevoland

Department: Area Development and European Programmes

Address: Visarenddreef 1, P.O. Box 55, 8200 AB Lelystad, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.flevoland.nl

Total budget: EUR 378 668.00

ERDF budget: EUR 321 867.80

Horizon Flevoland

Name: Horizon Flevoland

Address: Het Ravelijn 50, 8233 BR Lelystad, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.horizonflevoland.nl

Total budget: EUR 21 200.00

ERDF budget: EUR 18 020.00

Университет по хранителни технологии

Name: Университет по хранителни технологии

Department: Interdisciplinary Training Centre “Food Quality and Safety”

Address: 26 Maritza Blvd., 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.uft-plovdiv.bg

Total budget: EUR 60 282.00

ERDF budget: EUR 51 239.70

Regione Emilia-Romagna - Direzione Generale Agricoltura, Caccia e Pesca

Name: Regione Emilia-Romagna - Direzione Generale Agricoltura, Caccia e Pesca

Address: Viale della Fiera, 8, 40127 Bologna, Italy

Legal status: public

Total budget: EUR 124 270.00

ERDF budget: EUR 105 629.50

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Name: Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Department: SMEA

Address: Largo A. Gemelli 1, 20123 Milano, Italy

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.unicatt.it

Total budget: EUR 124 450.00

ERDF budget: EUR 105 782.50

Consiliul Județean Maramureș

Name: Consiliul Județean Maramureș

Department: International Relations Office

Address: 46, Gheorghe Sincai street, 430311 Baia Mare, Romania

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.cjmaramures.ro

Total budget: EUR 134 692.00

ERDF budget: EUR 114 488.20

Фондация Евро-перспективи

Name: Фондация Евро-перспективи

Address: 124-G, Tsar Boris III Blvd, Ent. A, Apt. 8, 1612 Sofia, Bulgaria

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.europerspectives.org

Total budget: EUR 141 487.00

ERDF budget: EUR 120 263.95

Stichting Aeres groep terzake van Aeres hogeschool

Name: Stichting Aeres groep terzake van Aeres hogeschool

Department: Aeres UAS/department of international studies and consultancies

Address: Bovenbuurtweg 27, 6717 XA Ede, Netherlands

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.aeres.nl

Total budget: EUR 144 249.00

ERDF budget: EUR 122 611.65

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

Name: Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

Address: Civic Centre, West Street, OL1 1UT Oldham, United Kingdom

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.oldham.gov.uk

Total budget: EUR 163 558.00

ERDF budget: EUR 139 024.30

The Manchester Metropolitan University

Name: The Manchester Metropolitan University

Department: Faculty of Business and Law

Address: All Saints, Oxford Road, M15 6BG Manchester, United Kingdom

Legal status: public

Website: http://www.mmu.ac.uk

Total budget: EUR 173 497.00

ERDF budget: EUR 147 472.45

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

Horizon Flevoland

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Partners and Projects info

University of Food Technologies

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Partners and Projects info

Emilia-Romagna Region - Directorate General for Agriculture Hunting and Fisheries

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Partners and Projects info

Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Partners and Projects info

Maramures County Council

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Partners and Projects info

Фондация Евро Перспективи

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Partners and Projects info

Aeres Group Foundation re Aeres UAS

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Partners and Projects info

Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Partners and Projects info

The Manchester Metropolitan University

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Partners and Projects info

Province of Flevoland

Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Project acronym: FoodChains 4 EU

Project start date: 2017-01-01

Project end date: 2021-12-31

Project status: closed

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 1 466 353.00

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 246 400.05

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 246 400.05.

Documents

Documents on this project are listed below, and organised by category. Please note field "Data source", attached to each document. Keep.eu users are free to use these documents as long as they mention the data source and keep.eu.

Reports

Action Plan Emilia-Romagna Region

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2019-11-30

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan for the Region of Maramures

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2019-12-05

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan for Greater Manchester

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2020-03-25

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Regional Action Plan - Euro Perspectives Foundation

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2020-03-20

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Action Plan for the Region of Flevoland

Attachment type: file

Type of document: Report

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2019-12-17

Languages: en

Attachment file: Download

Videos / films

Food Chains 4 EU Peer Review - Greater Manchester

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2018-05-18

Languages: en

FoodChains 4 EU Maramures Peer Review EN

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2018-12-04

Languages: en

FoodChains4EU

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2019-05-09

Languages: en

Peer Review Bulgaria 2018

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2018-08-22

Languages: bg, en

Provincie Flevoland - Interreg Food Chains 4 EU

Attachment type: link

Type of document: Video / film

Data source: https://projects2014-2020.interregeurope.eu/foodchains4eu/

Publication date: 2024-08-27

Document date: 2018-07-19

Languages: en

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

Financing programme

2014 - 2020 Interreg Europe

Last month that data in keep.eu was retrieved from the Programme's website or received from the Programme

2023-10-31

No. of projects in keep.eu / Total no. of projects (% of projects in keep.eu)

258 / 258 (100%)

No. of project partnerships in keep.eu / Total no. of project partnerships (% of project partnerships in keep.eu)

2 084 / 2 085 (99.95%)

Notes on the data

Information provided by the Programme.

The financial data featured in keep.eu for this programme, it's projects and its partners is not exact and should be taken as a reference only.

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Strengthening regional innovation policies to build sustainable food chains

Description

Thematic information

Partners (10)

Partners map

Summary

Documents

Information regarding the data in keep.eu on the programme financing this project

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