CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Programme 2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

Date of latest update: 2025-10-08

Description

Description (EN):

Central European cities are witnessing increasing market pressure for land use due to urbanisation, especially in peri-urban agricultural areas, resulting in biodiversity loss and endangering land fertility and food systems. Parallelly, there is growing demand from citizens for more cultivable urban lands, reflected in the popularity of community gardens, which gained further ground during the lockdowns of the pandemic. This trend, coupled with climate change impacts cities are facing (heat island effect, changing rainfall patterns) calls for a new approach of land use based on climate-friendly, nature based solutions to increase cities’ resilience, counteract urban sprawl, regenerate degraded peri-urban areas, preserve biodiversity and strengthen local food systems. Recognising the socio-economic and environmental benefits of urban farming seen mainly in other regions (as such practises are scarce in CE or focus only on certain factors), CoFarm4Cities partners have decided to jointly find an environment-friendly solution for urban sprawl by identifying a sustainable utilisation of peri-urban agricultural, mixed-use or abandoned areas and developing a replicable model with stakeholder engagement tools (UFSLU) for transforming them into managed land for urban farming in CE cities. Good practices analysed will be used to develop different possible urban farming scenarios, including management, business, environmental and social aspects, to be tested in 5 cities. Also, to induce attitude change on urban agriculture, partners will address and engage stakeholder groups of the production and demand sides, decision-makers on all levels, as well as follower cities. Besides the model, the project will result in Action Plans based on it, setting steps and actions for urban fringe farming in partner cities, aiming to curb urban sprawl and provide local healthy food, thus contributing to the transition to sustainable food systems (in line with the Farm-to-Fork strategy).

Actual Achievements (EN):

CoFarm4Cities partners have jointly decided to find environment-friendly solutions for urban sprawl by identifying sustainable uses for peri-urban agricultural, mixed-use, or abandoned areas and developing a replicable model with stakeholder engagement tools for transforming them into managed urban farming land in CE cities. During the first 2 periods, good practices were analyzed (including successful business and management models of existing urban farms), also local opportunities and challenges of urban farming were investigated to be used to develop various urban farming scenarios, taking into account management, business, environmental, and social aspects, to be tested in 5 pilot cities (Óbuda/Budapest-HU; Zagreb-HR; Turin-IT; Krakow-PL and Ljubljana-SL). Also, a cooperation framework has been developed for the piloting process to be carried out in the upcoming 2 years. Finally, partners have started mapping, and engaging stakeholder groups from the production and demand sides to induce attitude change in urban agriculture. Below, you can read more about the progress of the piloting process in each city. Comprehensive Assessment Conducted for Óbuda Urban Farm In Óbuda, Budapest, a thorough evaluation of the urban farm's needs has been completed. The assessment covered soil tests, water abstraction options, and sustainable solutions such as water retention, rainwater harvesting, and solar panels. Plans are underway for landscape design, electricity, well drilling, and water supply. Meanwhile, experts from the Budapest University of Technology and external consultants are assessing the feasibility of market opportunities and community service facilities. This initiative aims to ensure the urban farm's sustainability and community benefits. Urban Garden Project Moves Forward in Krakow Soil tests in Krakow have confirmed the feasibility of vegetable growing in the area. Following a public procurement process, a company has been selected to prepare design and cost-estimate documentation for the development of the green space. An inventory has identified trees and shrubs that need to be felled for safety reasons. In July, a public procurement for ground and construction works—including water and electricity connections, fencing, flowerbeds, picnic tables, and a greenhouse—will be announced. Completion is expected by April next year. Efforts to inform residents about the community garden are underway, with three meetings held and more planned. By the end of the year, an operator will be selected to initiate educational and integrative activities for the community. Turin Pilot Project Advances with Community Involvement Experts have completed assessments of the geological and environmental characteristics of the Turin pilot project site. Stakeholder analysis and market research have aligned the project with local needs and opportunities. Four workshops have successfully engaged stakeholders, fostering community involvement and capacity building. Finalized landscape architecture plans now provide a clear roadmap for the site's transformation. Contractors are currently installing advanced irrigation systems to support agricultural activities, with soil works set to resume soon. The unique aspect of the farm is that it will provide organic vegetables and fruits for private, social, and educational use. An internal farmhouse restaurant, staffed by social workers, will use these vegetables to prepare lunch menus for the residents. Zagreb Pilot Project Progresses with Community Workshops The Zagreb pilot project is moving forward with the public procurement process for the design currently underway. Workshops with residents are also in progress. Soil and water analysis are scheduled for late summer, with both design and analysis set to be completed by late September. Construction, including the installation of groundwater pumps, urban furniture, and tree planting, is slated to begin in winter. Three workshops with the local community have already taken place, with another scheduled for June. Ljubljana Pilot Project Engages Schools and Community The Ljubljana pilot project has identified all necessary stakeholders, including local schools. On-site workshops with children and teachers from three pilot schools have commenced. The development of the Urban Farm educational polygon concept is underway, aiming to expand existing educational facilities. Designers and educators are working together to finalize the concept. Preparation of allotments at the pilot site will begin in July. The local community will be involved in planting and smaller tasks through workshops, effectively managing logistics and participant engagement. In previous periods, project partners jointly decided to find environment-friendly solutions for urban sprawl by identifying sustainable uses for peri-urban agricultural, mixed-use, or abandoned areas and developing a replicable model with stakeholder engagement tools for transforming them into managed urban farming land in CE cities. During the first 3 periods, good practices were analyzed (including successful business and management models of existing urban farms), and local opportunities and challenges of urban farming were investigated to develop various urban farming scenarios, considering management, business, environmental, and social aspects, to be tested in 5 pilot cities (Óbuda/Budapest-HU; Zagreb-HR; Turin-IT; Krakow-PL; Ljubljana-SL). A cooperation framework was developed for the piloting process to be carried out in the upcoming project period. Partners also started mapping and engaging stakeholder groups from the production and demand sides to induce attitude change in urban agriculture. In period 4, partners advanced urban agriculture initiatives with a strong focus on education, community engagement, and knowledge exchange. Common activities included training sessions for decision-makers, tailored for municipal staff, educators, and national stakeholders, raising awareness of sustainable food systems. Zagreb and Ljubljana exchanged experiences through peer visits focusing on school gardens and participatory methods. Pilot implementation started: Zagreb launched an urban orchard and school garden plans; Ljubljana equipped pilot schools with garden infrastructure and established an educational farm. Krakow finalized the Community Garden’s legal and operational setup; Turin opened its Urban Community Garden, hosted events for public and expert engagement, and organized a peer visit for Óbuda and Krakow. Óbuda signed the contract for groundworks. Krakow and Turin conducted consultations and campaigns to raise awareness, address concerns, and build community ownership. Partners created and distributed educational materials (e.g., DOVES’s urban gardening guide), organized student workshops, and held teacher training on sustainable agriculture and environmental awareness.

Project outputs: Organisations involved in the project cooperating across borders(EN)
Solutions collected in the jointly developed urban farming-based sustainable land use model (UFSLU)(EN)

Jointly developed UFSLU-based, city-level Action Plans for PP cities(EN)
Jointly developed and implemented urban farming pilot intervention - OBM(EN)
Jointly developed and implemented urban farming pilot intervention - TOR/KAIROS(EN)

Jointly developed and implemented urban farming pilot intervention - KRA(EN)
Jointly developed and implemented urban farming pilot intervention - ZAGR(EN)
Jointly developed and implemented urban farming pilot intervention - LJU/DOVES(EN)
Jointly developed strategy for adaptation of UFSLU model(EN)
Website: https://www.interreg-central.eu/projects/cofarm4cities/

Thematic information

Urban development Agriculture and fisheries and forestry

Priority: (VI-B_CE_2) Cooperating for a greener central Europe

Priority specific objective: RSO2.7. Enhancing protection and preservation of nature, biodiversity and green infrastructure, including in urban areas, and reducing all forms of pollution

Priority policy objective (Interreg specific objective): PO2 A greener, low-carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation, risk prevention and management, and sustainable urban mobility

Type of intervention: 079 Nature and biodiversity protection, natural heritage and resources, green and blue infrastructure

Partners (9)

Lead Partner: Budapest Főváros III. Kerület Óbuda-Békásmegyer Önkormányzat

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 892318036

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU15735667

Address: Fő tér, 1033 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://obuda.hu/

Total budget: EUR 452 730.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 362 184.00

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 90 546.00

Contractors:

Name: FLORABONE Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 32092909-2-42
Name: Tender Terv Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: HU11148081
Name: HBH Stratégia és FejlesztésKft
VAT registration or tax identification number: 10412426-2-41
Name: Spatialist Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 29293330-2-13
Name: PART LAB Kft.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 25730618-2-13

Grad Zagreb, Gradski ured za gospodarstvo, ekološku održivost i strategijsko planiranje

Name: Grad Zagreb, Gradski ured za gospodarstvo, ekološku održivost i strategijsko planiranje

Department: Department for preparation and implementation international and regional projects

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 989531727

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR61817894937

Address: Trg Stjepana Radića, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Department address: Park Stara Trešnjevka, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://www.zagreb.hr/

Total budget: EUR 326 279.60

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 261 023.68

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 65 255.92

Drustvo DOVES - FEE Slovenia

Name: Drustvo DOVES - FEE Slovenia

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 946622807

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI50989812

Address: Cesta solinarjev, 6321 Portorož, Slovenia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://www.doves.si

Total budget: EUR 128 120.90

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 102 496.72

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 25 624.18

Óbudai Egyetem

Name: Óbudai Egyetem

Department: Environmental Engineering and Natural Sciences Institute of the Rejtő Sándor Faculty of Light Industry and Environmental Engineering

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 986279123

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HU19308760

Address: Bécsi út, 1034 Budapest, Hungary

Department address: Bécsi út, 1034 Budapest, Hungary

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Higher education and research organisations

Website: https://uni-obuda.hu

Total budget: EUR 170 829.99

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 136 663.99

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 34 166.00

Contractors:

Name: Alfa Rehab. Nonp Közh. KFT.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 22299875-2-41

Institut za cirkularnu ekonomiju

Name: Institut za cirkularnu ekonomiju

Partner’s ID if not PIC: HR57903760371

Address: Gospodska ulica, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://bit.ly/3h8tr0F

Total budget: EUR 148 412.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 118 729.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 29 682.40

Contractors:

Name: E-zavod
VAT registration or tax identification number: 46683518
Name: RRA Podravje - Maribor
VAT registration or tax identification number: SI33925950
Name: Zavod za trajnostni razvoj
VAT registration or tax identification number: 95321284

Mestna občina Ljubljana

Name: Mestna občina Ljubljana

Department: Department for Environmental Protection – Section for Rural Development

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 999851557

Partner’s ID if not PIC: SI67593321

Address: Mestni trg, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Department address: Zarnikova ulica, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.ljubljana.si

Total budget: EUR 356 553.40

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 285 242.72

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 71 310.68

Contractors:

Name: Zavita d.o.o. (KIS)
VAT registration or tax identification number: 92303633

Gmina Miejska Kraków

Name: Gmina Miejska Kraków

Department: Municipal Greenspace Authority

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 984168306

Partner’s ID if not PIC: PL6761013717

Address: Plac Wszystkich Świętych, 31-004 Krakow, Poland

Department address: Reymonta, 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: https://zzm.krakow.pl/

Total budget: EUR 282 812.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 226 249.60

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 56 562.40

Contractors:

Name: Landsca Sp. z o.o.
VAT registration or tax identification number: 6783194270

KAIROS CONSORZIO DI COOPERATIVE SOCIALI - SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA SOCIALE - O.N.L.U.S.

Name: KAIROS CONSORZIO DI COOPERATIVE SOCIALI - SOCIETA' COOPERATIVA SOCIALE - O.N.L.U.S.

Department: International Relations

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 950261956

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT08134210015 | E10117438 | OID (EN)

Address: Via Lulli, 10148 Turin, Italy

Department address: Via Lulli, 10148 Turin, Italy

Legal status: private

Organisation type: Interest groups including NGOs

Website: https://consorziokairos.it/

Total budget: EUR 158 878.50

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 127 102.80

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 31 775.70

Comune di Torino

Name: Comune di Torino

Department: Innovation and EU funds department

PIC (Participant Identification Code): 986538792

Partner’s ID if not PIC: IT00514490010

Address: Piazza Palazzo di Citta, 10122 Turin, Italy

Department address: Piazza Palazzo di Citta, 10122 Turin, Italy

Legal status: public

Organisation type: Local public authority

Website: http://www.comune.torino.it/

Total budget: EUR 216 898.00

Partner’s programme co-financing: EUR 173 518.40

Partner’s programme co-financing rate: 80.00%

Partner contribution: EUR 43 379.60

Contractors:

Name: AVVENTURA URBANA SRL
VAT registration or tax identification number: 09117680018
Name: UNIVERSITA' STUDI DI TORINO
VAT registration or tax identification number: 02099550010
Name: RICCARDO PETRIGNANI
VAT registration or tax identification number: 08057830013
Name: ARTE E GUSTO CATERING SNC
VAT registration or tax identification number: 08092490013

Partners map

Partners and Projects info

City of Zagreb, City Office for economy, environmental sustainability and strategic planning

CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Partners and Projects info

Association DOVES - FEE Slovenia

CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Partners and Projects info

Óbuda University

CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Partners and Projects info

Institute for Circular Economy

CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Partners and Projects info

City of Ljubljana

CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Krakow

CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Partners and Projects info

KAIROS Consortium of Social Cooperatives

CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Partners and Projects info

Municipality of Turin

CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Partners and Projects info

Budapest III. District Óbuda-Békásmegyer Municipality

CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Lead partner

Project partner

Summary

Project name (EN): CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Project acronym: CoFarm4Cities

Project ID: CE0100253

Project start date: 2023-04-01

Project end date: 2026-03-31

Project status: ongoing

Relevant linked projects:

CityZen (Interreg Europe) (EN) | CityZen (running between 2019-2023) aims to explore successful business values that urban farming brings to the ecosystem and link them to innovative entrepreneurship and supply chains. The creation of a knowledge pool of urban farming policies, initiatives and business processes is meant to support decision makers and leverage the efficiency of their actions.
CoFarm4Cities does not focus only on the supply chain and the business values of urban farming, but building on CityZen’s experiences and results through consultations with them, aims to combine business values with environmental, social and health values as well, to create a comprehensive model for urban fringe farming. (EN), OpenAgri (UIA) (EN) | Open Agri (2017-2019) runs in Milan (IT) and focuses on sustainable food systems from a job creation and community building perspective. The project looks at accelerating new food enterprises in peri-urban areas, to foster skills and competences to lower the environmental impacts of farming and to strengthen social cohesion through community-led initiatives.
CoFarm4Cities, incorporating OpenAgri’s results, will go beyond finding solutions to a local challenge and focusing only on traditional employment-based model. It will study different urban farming management and business scenarios at 5 locations, including farmers’ community-led, school-farm relation-focused, volunteering and circularity-based, mixed land use-based and bio-waste-based urban farming and aims to create a replicable and comprehensive model for urban farming-based sustainable land use for other CE countries. (EN), Fusilli (H2020) (EN) | Fusilli (running between 2021-2024) focuses on supporting cities to facilitate their transition towards more sustainable food systems. In the project, the city of Turin, also a partner in CoFarm4Cities, is responsible for the implementation of the “Food Innovation Living Lab”, in which it experiments with circular business models for the production and processing of food for local commerce.
CoFarm4Cities will transfer Turin’s knowledge from Fusilli, and incorporate circular solutions in the urban farming scenarios, but will have a wider perspective by looking at other aspects as well, like the education of future generations through primary school programs and orientation of young people towards agriculture, social employment, and community-led urban farming. (EN), RU:RBAN (URBACT) (EN) | RU:RBAN’s Good Practice is the Management model of Urban gardens in Rome to be transferred to newcomer cities, like Krakow - which is also a partner in CoFarm4Cities - to ensure sharing of experiences to enhance the capacities of local governance.The project is running between 2021-2022.
CoFarm4Cities will draw on Krakow’s experience in replicating RU:RBAN’s management model, which builds heavily on citizen engagement, and it will take it further towards urban farming, exploring also the potentials and benefits of a mixed, farming-gardening model and creating a model specifically for the sustainable land use of peri-urban territories. (EN), ProGIreg (H2020) (EN) | ProGIreg’s (running between 2018-2023) aim is to turn unused urban land into productive community gardens, which contributes to improved mental and physical health through exposure to nature and healthy sources of food and a community feeling.
CoFarm4Cities partner, Zagreb participates in the project, during which a city garden with organic vegetables has been established. Another location of ProGIreg is Turin, where Sangone Park will be redesigned and used for community urban gardens, while Piemonte Park will be used for social farming activities including training and job placements.
Since Zagreb and Turin are partners in both projects, it ensures that ProGIreg’s results and experiences will be directly transferred into CoFarm4Cities, although the approach of the two projects is different, in the sense that CoFarm4Cities specifically considers urban farming as a potential profit-oriented commercial activity in the long run - not (just) a recreational one -, which uses peri-urban agricultural areas and regards this practice as socio-economic and environmental drive for transitioning to sustainable food systems. (EN), Urbfarm (Erasmus+) (EN) | Urbfarm, which is running between 2020-2022 is set to create a blended-learning program for low-skilled adult learners fostering green competencies, targeting low-skilled adult learners interested in urban farming and entrepreneurship.
Education and training is only a segment of CoFarm4Cities, while other elements, like urban farm creation, community building, stakeholder engagement are equally important in it. Moreover, its educational target groups are wider, including local landowners, school children and their families, as well as local catering businesses and decision makers on all levels. (EN)

Total budget/expenditure: EUR 2 241 514.39

Total EU funding (amount): EUR 1 793 211.51

Total EU funding (co-financing rate): 80.00%

Co-financing sources:

ERDF: Amount, EUR 1 793 211.51. Co-financing rate, 80.00%.

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

(bullets are inserted automatically and may be incorrectly placed)

Infrastructure investments:

I2.1 - Setting up an urban farm in Óbuda - EUR 55 000.00 - country: Magyarország (HU), town: Budapest, street: Vadászles, 21087/1, postal_code: H-1037, Budapest (HU11), Budapest (HU110)
I2.2 - Establishing a mixed-use urban farm in Krakow - EUR 50 000.00 - country: Polska (PL), town: Krakow, street: Orla, N/A, postal_code: 30-244, Małopolskie (PL21), Miasto Kraków (PL213)
I2.3 - Establishing an urban orchard in Zagreb - EUR 23 300.00 - country: Hrvatska (HR), town: Zagreb, street: Close to: Av. Većeslava Holjevca, New part: Podbrežje, postal_code: N/A, Grad Zagreb (HR05), Grad Zagreb (HR050)
I2.4 - Creating an educational urban garden in Torino - EUR 27 600.00 - country: Italia (IT), town: Turin, street: Strada Cuorgné, 109, postal_code: 10156, Piemonte (ITC1), Torino (ITC11)

Deliverables:

Co-designed methodology for analysing successful business models of existing urban farms globally
Report on joint discussion of the overview and description of around 20 farming practices to PPs
In-depth analysis and joint discussion of 5 urban farms and their management and business models
Co-designed methodology to analyse local opportunities for and challenges of urban farming
Analysis of urban farming opportunities in each PP city
Joint workshop report discussing the findings of overall (A1.1) and local (A1.2) analyses
Documentation of working out management and business aspects for 5 urban farm scenarios
Documentation of working out social and environmental aspects for 5 urban farm scenarios
Jointly finalised 5 urban farm scenarios to be partially tested in pilot interventions in WP2
Joint post-pilot comparative analysis and co-evaluation workshop report
Jointly developed Urban Farming-based Sustainable Land Use Model (UFSLU)
City-level Action Plans
Cooperation framework for piloting process
Co-designed pilot concepts for the 5 pilot sites testing urban farming (UF) scenarios
Documentation of pilot action testing local farmers' community based urban farming (UF) scenario-OBM
Docu of pilot action testing circularity, soc. cohesion, education based UF scenario - TOR/KAIROS
Documentation of pilot action testing mixed-use UF scenario - KRA
Documentation of pilot action testing public orchard and bio-waste reuse based UF scenario - ZAGR
Documentation of pilot action testing school program based UF scenario - LJU/DOVES
Peer visit reports / video documentary
Joint online pilot experiences workshop
Peer-to-peer evaluation reports of pilots' results testing elements of urban farming scenarios
Joint guidelines on outreach to and engagement of production-side stakeholders (PSS)
Mapping and assessment of potential PSS’ participatory involvement in urban farming
Reports on engagement events to build a long-term local production stakeholder community for UF
Joint guidelines on outreach to and engagement of demand-side stakeholders (DSS)
Assessment of potential stakeholders in demand for healthy local farm products
Report on the local events aiming at the demand side stakeholders
Training metho and material for decision-makers on sustainable agricult practices & food systems
Report on modular training sessions on sustainable agricultural practises for decision-makers
Documentation of local pilot site visits for decision-makers and the press
Report on online knowledge transfer workshops for interested follower cities and organisations
Report on developing a joint Strategy for adaptation of the UFLSU model by other cities
Report on conference on conclusions

Contribution to wider strategies and policies:

EuropeanGreenDeal The relevant goals set in the European Green Deal are to ensure food security in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, to reduce the environmental and climate footprint of the EU’s food system, to strengthen the EU food system’s resilience and to lead a global transition towards competitive sustainability from farm to fork, elaborated in the Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F).
The project’s approach is largely based on the F2F strategy and will contribute to the aforementioned goals by creating a sustainable land use model for agricultural food production locally in the peri-urban areas of cities and by launching extensive awareness raising and capacity building activities using participatory and other engagement methods.
The EU Biodiversity Strategy, which is the core part of the EU Green Deal, aims to build our societies’ resilience to future threats such as food insecurity and the impacts of climate change.
The project’s overall aim is to offer a solution to food insecurity and climate change impacts by creating a sustainable land use model based on urban farming, which also takes into account environmental and socio-economic aspects.
TerritorialAgenda2030
The project contributes to the following priorities of the Territorial Agenda 2030: Balanced Europe - to cooperate on responses to global societal challenges and strengthening socio‑economic prosperity; Healthy Environment - Better ecological livelihoods, climate-neutral and resilient towns, cities and regions; Circular Economy - Strong and sustainable local economies in a globalised world, by creating a sustainable agricultural land use model in which environmental and socio-economic aspects are equally represented and which strengthens cities’ resilience and self-sufficiency in food production.
EUStrategyAdriaticIonianRegion
Pillar 3 of EUSAIR seeks to contribute to the goal of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystem services in the EU by 2020, and restore them in so far as feasible, by addressing threats to marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
It also seeks to improve waste management by reducing waste flows to the sea and, to reduce nutrient flows and other pollutants to the rivers and the sea.
The project contributes to the safeguarding of biodiversity and improvement of waste management in HR, IT, SI by promoting an environmentally sustainable, agricultural land cultivation, namely urban farming, with circular elements to harvest rainwater and reduce water waste.
EUStrategyAlpineRegion
The objective of the 3rd Thematic Policy Area: Environment and Energy is to create a more inclusive environmental framework for all and renewable and reliable energy solutions for the future, where it prioritises the reinforcement of Alpine natural and cultural resources as assets of a high quality living area.
One of the CoFarm4Cities project pilot sites will be Cascina Falchera in TOR, IT, an old rural farmhouse, which will be revitalized to accommodate among others sustainable energy (water) solutions. Besides, the project will contribute to the strategy’s goals by educating primary school children and their families on environmental-friendly choices in LJU (SI)
EUStrategyDanubeRegion
EUSDR’s Priority Area 06 is to preserve biodiversity, landscapes and the quality of air and soils, and maintain and restore Green and Blue Infrastructure elements through integrated spatial development and conservation planning.
This is the main challenge the project tackles by aiming to recover biodiversity in HR, HU, SI through creating sustainable agricultural uses and offering a tool to prevent urban sprawl, and by improving soil quality via introducing regenerative and organic farming methods. The project will also implement green infrastructure elements at the pilot sites in HR, HU, SI to help sustainable irrigation and rainwater harvesting.
Other Food 2030 is the EU's research and innovation policy to transform food systems and ensure everyone has enough affordable, nutritious food to lead a healthy life. It aims to achieve a resilient food system that is fit for the future. Food systems need also to deliver co-benefits for people’s health, our climate, planet and communities.
The project’s objectives are in line with the Food 2030 policy, as it seeks to ultimately create a resilient food system for cities that comes with environmental, social and public health benefits.
EUStrategyBalticSeaRegion Policy Area (PA) ‘Bioeconomy’ of EUSBSR aims at reinforcing sustainability of agriculture, forestry and fisheries by promoting an integrated approach, promoting a sustainable use of marine, agricultural and forest resources, as well as to speed up spreading of new sustainable practices and productions in agriculture, forestry, and sustainable use natural resources.
The project will contribute to these goals in PL by aiming at developing a sustainable land use model for peri-urban agricultural practices.

Programme Common Output Indicator:

RCO 084 - Pilot actions developed jointly and implemented in projects, Measurement unit:
RCO 116 - Jointly developed solutions, Measurement unit:
RCO 083 - Strategies and action plans jointly developed, Measurement unit:
RCO 087 - Organisations cooperating across borders, Measurement unit:

Delivered output indicator(s):

(RCO87) Organisations cooperating across borders: 9.0

Programme Common Result Indicator:

RCR 084 - Organisations cooperating across borders after project completion, Measurement unit:
RCR 104 - Solutions taken up or up-scaled by organisations, Measurement unit:
RCR 079 - Joint strategies and action plans taken up by organisations, Measurement unit:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSBSR

EUSBSR Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSBSR Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSALP

EUSALP Priority (Policy) area / Horizontal action:

EUSALP Degree of compliance:

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSDR

Project part of European Union Macro-Regional or Sea Basin Strategy: EUSAIR

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

Financing programme

2021 - 2027 Interreg VI-B Central Europe

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

2025-10-08

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

100 / 100 (100%)

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

1 013 / 1 011 (100.2%)

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CoFarm4Cities: Creating a sustainable model for urban fringe farming in Central Europe as an effective tool to prevent urban sprawl and to transition to a more sustainable food system and society

Description

Thematic information

Partners (9)

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Summary

Investments, deliverables, policy contributions

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

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