Our Partners
COORDINATOR
Amsterdam Centre for World Food Studies (ACWFS)
The Amsterdam Centre for World Food Studies (ACWFS) is an interdisciplinary institute at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) conducting research in collaboration with societal stakeholders and end-users to enhance food & nutrition security. The goal is to identify policies and strategies that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable, responsible, and increase the quality of life. We believe that food and nutrition security is part of a complex system of factors, including economic, agro-ecological, technological, health, and cultural aspects. This is why we strive to be as interdisciplinary as possible while maintaining transparency and tractability of assumptions, models, and scenarios.
ACWFS serves as the Project Coordinator and leads the Central knowledge and learning hub activities.
The Department of Computer Science (CS) at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a leading European research and teaching institution with a broad range of academic programs within . The research sections in the Computer Science Department are: Artificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Computer Systems and Security, Sustainable Digital Society, and Theoretical Computer Science.
The Software and Sustainability (S2) Research Group of the Sustainable Digital Society section carries out research in software engineering and software architecture in general, and specifically on their socio-technical and environmental sustainability. Its focus is on devising systematic, disciplined, and quantifiable approaches for designing, developing, and maintaining complex software intensive systems that are sustainable or that contribute to sustainability goals.
The S2 group will contribute to the definition of Feed4Food sustainability indicators and the living labs’ dashboards for decision making and impact analysis.
Dr. Lia van Wesenbeeck, Project Coordinator, Associate Professor of Development Economics and Director of ACWFS.
Prof. Dr. Patricia Lago, Senior Researcher, Full Professor of Software Engineering. Patricia leads the Software and Sustainability (S2) research group in the Computer Science Department.
Dr. Ben Sonneveld, Senior Researcher, Associate Professor at the Athena Institute, and Deputy Director of ACWFS.
Klervie Toczé, Postdoctoral Researcher
ROMANIA
University of Bucharest
With a history spanning over 150 years, the University of Bucharest stands as a prestigious institution that fosters a dynamic and inclusive academic environment. Our focus is on student-centric learning, underpinned by creativity, innovation, and pragmatism.
Our university comprises 19 faculties, offering 95 undergraduate programmes, 223 master’s programmes, 8 teaching master’s programmes, and 23 doctoral schools in specific fields. We also host a school for interdisciplinary doctoral studies, over 50 centres, and 9 research stations. The University of Bucharest is affiliated with more than 50 institutes, departments, and research centers, reflecting the diverse fields of study offered by our faculties.
Daniel Constantin Diaconu, Project Manager, is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Geography, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, and a researcher at the Research Centre for Integrated Analysis and Territorial Management.
Daniel Peptenatu, Researcher, is a Professor at the Faculty of Geography, Department of Human and Economic Geography, and a Researcher at the Research Centre for Integrated Analysis and Territorial Management.
Cristian Constantin Drăghici, Researcher is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Geography, Department of Human and Economic Geography, and a Researcher at the Research Centre for Integrated Analysis and Territorial Management.
Alexandra Grecu, Researcher is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Business and Administration, University of Bucharest and a researcher at the Research Centre for Integrated Analysis and Territorial Management.
Our work is funded by UE Fiscdi.
POLAND
Aquablend Sp. z o. o. Polska S.K. (AqSP)
Established in Gdansk in 2001, Aquablend Sp. z o. o. Polska S.K. (AqSP) is a Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) that firmly believes in the symbiotic cooperation of farmers, livestock, and the land. We are convinced that when this symbiosis works well, it results in the production of healthy food, and the economic result automatically optimizes.
Our key focus areas are animal welfare and better working conditions for farmers and employees. Our advice, solutions, and products always aim to further optimize this symbiosis. AqSP has both international and national contacts in ecological and Urban Farming and possesses know-how in small-scale food and feed production.
AqSP is proud to be the leader of the Polish partners in Feed4Food. We lead and contribute to many tasks. We will ensure the sustainability of the Living Lab after the end of the project. Moreover AquaBlend Polska (AqSP) is interested in developing and producing together with the partners in Gdansk a new ecological product line of probiotics and elixirs based on garlic/herbs and possibly supplemented with mushrooms, to support the health of all kinds of farm animals, urban-farming animals, and pets.
The aim is to extend therewith the Aquablend Polska (AqSP) assortment with locally produced health sustaining products for animals and at the same time creating more sustainable jobs.
Our team includes professionals like Jan Feikema, Project leader, an agronomist and an international entrepreneur in the agricultural business.
Our work is funded by National Centre for Research and Development
POLAND
Fundacja Twoja Rola
FUNDACJA TWOJA ROLA, or YOUR ROLE FOUNDATION, is a dedicated organisation that pursues its goals in three main areas of activity.
- Development of the Social Economy: we un an urban farm, process the vegetables we grow, and sell them to local consumers. Our products include natural, probiotic pickles and sour juice, sold under the “Siejemy Ferment” (We are Sowing Ferment) brand.
- Social Assistance and Addressing Social Problems: We offer horticulture therapy, gardening workshops, and social and professional activation for socially excluded people. We also provide housing support for families in crisis of homelessness and immigrant family support, creating secure jobs for our residents in our urban farm.
- Environmental Education: We aim to educate the youngest members of our society and provide expert support for green innovations in urban areas. We also conduct educational activities to popularize the social economy among secondary schools, universities, and entrepreneurs.
Our foundation’s area of activity encompasses the social economy, social enterprise, study visits, workshops and training sessions, adult education, urban farming, agriculture, social and professional activation, food system, urban transformation, gardener, hortitherapy, socially included and excluded, processing food, ecological food, preventive health care, and probiotics products.
We are planning to develop fruit and vegetable processing activities, professionalize the production path, and set up an outdoor vertical farm. We will carry out diagnostic, planning, and designing activities for this production segment. We will also work on the extraction of vegetables and herbs to support further economic development and expansion of existing operations. As an active urban farm in Gdańsk, we will support the Living Lab being created as part of the project.
Wojciech Zak, Project manager, Marketing and Trade Specialist, manages social projects and social economy activities.
Zuzanna Zak, Researcher, is a coordinator of ecological, educational, and social projects, trainer, instructor of handicraft workshops for disabled people.
Our work is funded by National Centre for Research and Development
POLAND
University of Agriculture in Krakow
The University of Agriculture in Krakow (UAK) is a premier institution in Poland, renowned for its contributions to the field of life sciences. With a rich history and a unique educational and research profile, UAK offers a wide range of programs in various disciplines including economic, chemical, natural, technical, social, agricultural, forestry, and veterinary sciences.
Our university is dedicated to preparing specialists not only for the agriculture and forestry sectors but also for the broader food economy and agribusiness sector. Our modern infrastructure, which includes three campuses, 11 educational facilities, experimental stations, and the Experimental Forestry Station in Krynica-Zdrój, provides students with excellent learning conditions and offers staff opportunities for scientific development.
UAK conducts hundreds of research topics each year, organizes numerous national and international conferences, symposia, and seminars, and maintains close cooperation with companies, agricultural chambers, and state and local government bodies. This facilitates the dissemination of research results and fosters a culture of discussion and experience exchange.
As part of the Feed4Food project, UAK’s primary focus is on assessing needs and analysing problems. We coordinate socio-economic research, including surveys, and engage in developing business models for Living Labs.
Wojciech Sroka, Project manager, is a faculty member at the Department of Economics and Food Economy.
Barbara Kiełbsa, Researcher, is conducting research at the Department of Management and Economics of Enterprises. communication, farm advisory systems, and knowledge/information management.
Małgorzata Pink, Researcher, is affiliated with the Department of Economics and Food Economy.
Kamila Daniek, Researcher, currently works at the Department of Management and Economics of Enterprises.
Our work is funded by National Centre for Research and Development
GREECE
Ladies Union of Drama
The Ladies Union of Drama is a dedicated organisation committed to providing social and humanitarian work in the community, with a special focus on vulnerable social groups. The mission is to contribute to the resolution of humanitarian and social crises.
The organisation serves a charitable and educational purpose, aiming to foster solidarity, combat gender violence, xenophobia, and racism, and raise public awareness on issues of equality, equity, human, and democratic rights. Ladies Union of Drama is committed to supporting fellow citizens in need and providing sufficient information to our members, especially women, about educational matters, vocational training, and social justice.
Ladies Union of Drama is working on the involvement of the local communities, focusing in particular on vulnerable people. We will help engage the targeted groups effectively, providing a successful example so other similar cities and towns in Greece and the Balkans can adopt the same practices.
Aliki Tsiamoura, Project Manager, the President of the Ladies Union of Drama, has been involved in numerous projects to support and train vulnerable groups.
Maria Papadopoulou has the role of Administrative Support to the project.
Our work is funded by General Secretariat for Research and Innovation.
GREECE
Democritus University of Thrace
Democritus University of Thrace (D.U.Th.), founded in 1973, stands as the sole university in the Thrace region of Greece. It features a multi-campus structure across four cities: Komotini (the administrative center), Xanthi, Alexandroupoli, and Orestiada. The university boasts 8 schools and 20 departments, offering a diverse array of undergraduate and postgraduate programs. With an enrollment of over 29,000 students and a faculty of more than 700 members, D.U.Th. spans fields such as agriculture, education, law, and engineering. It emphasizes research excellence, international collaboration, and staying abreast of current trends, aspiring to be a leading research institution in Greece.
The Democritus University of Thrace is actively working on building the Living Lab of Drama since its experience sustainable management of natural and modified ecosystems with the implementation of nature-based solutions.
Our work is funded by General Secretariat for Research and Innovation.
GREECE
Geomorphology Edaphology and Riparian areas Laboratory (GERi Lab)
The Geomorphology Edaphology and Riparian areas Laboratory (GERi Lab), part of the Department of Forest and Natural Environment Sciences of the Democritus University of Thrace, is primarily involved in implementing Nature-Based solutions for the sustainable management of natural resources. Our work contributes to the EU Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Geri Lab supports Feed4Food with its research on utilising new technologies to identify the best-suited nature-based solution for different case studies and to determine the optimal location for their implementation. The Lab will contribute to the implementing of nature-based solutions in urban settings to promote sustainability of food, farming, agriculture and gardening.
George Zaimes, Project Manager, is an Associate Professor specialized in Water resource management at the Department of Forestry and Natural Environment Sciences. He is currently the Director of GERi Lab and the Deputy Director of the UNESCO CHAIR Con-E-Ect on the Conservation and Ecotourism of Riparian and Deltaic Ecosystems.
Our work is funded by General Secretariat for Research and Innovation.
CYPRUS
KES Research Centre (KESRC)
KES Research Centre (KESRC) is an independent, non-profit research organization, based in Nicosia, Cyprus, our focus is on environmental and corporate sustainability.
Our primary goal is to conduct independent fundamental research, industrial research, and experimental development. We are committed to widely disseminating the results of these activities through teaching, publication, and knowledge transfer.
KESRC is actively involved in the Living Lab of Strovolos with a particular emphasis on implementing and evaluating sustainable urban agriculture solutions.
Dimitrios Sarris, PhD, Project manager, Research Director, is a Plant Biologist/Ecologist and an Academic Scholar with a +20-year research experience.
Our work is funded by Research and Innovation Foundation
CYPRUS
VL Sustainability Metrics LTD (SuMe)
Established in 2022, is a startup SME that provides consulting and training services in the field of Environmental Sustainability and Ecology. We specialise in determining, reporting, and mitigating the environmental footprint for products, companies, organizations, and events.
Our company is actively involved in projects related to sustainability and the circular economy. We collaborate with top academic institutions, public authorities, and other companies, reflecting our commitment to fostering sustainable practices.
SuMe plays a significant role in the Living Lab of Strovolos. We support Feed4Food focusing on the sustainability of the solutions tested in the project.
Dr. Vassilis Litskas, Project leader, Researcher at SuMe, has an extensive background in sustainability and environmental protection.
Our work is funded by Research and Innovation Foundation.
CYPRUS
Strovolos Municipality
Strovolos Municipality is a progressive and forward-thinking community, established in 1986. We are the second largest municipality in Cyprus, known for our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Strovolos Municipality proactively implements practices that promote a healthy environment. We participate in initiatives like the Covenant of Mayors and have a plan to achieve climate neutrality by 2030. This includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing a green infrastructure plan that promotes biodiversity. Our efforts have been recognized with numerous awards, including the first Green Offices Award for a public organization in Cyprus.
We are currently working on a comprehensive strategy (2021-2027) funded by the EU. This collaborative effort with neighbouring municipalities focuses on key areas like:
- Circular economy
- Smart city and digital transformation
- Sustainable urban mobility
- Social inclusion
- Biodiversity protection
- Upgrading the Pediaios River Linear Park
The municipal social office supports Feed4Food in providing the spaces for the Living Labs, reaching and communicating with the target groups, with a deep knowledge of the local issues and of the vulnerable groups of the town and supervising the sustainability of the Living Labs after the end of the project.
Eleni Andreou, Environmental Officer: Eleni is a highly qualified agronomist with extensive experience in EU-funded environmental projects.
Maria Tsangari, Municipal Officer: Maria is responsible for the municipality’s participation in European programs.
Our work is funded by Research and Innovation Foundation.
ITALY
Area
AREA is an SME based in Udine, Italy. It has a long experience working in European projects and in sustainability, focusing on knowledge and technology transfer, and providing communication support to projects in particular in emerging countries (in EU and Africa).
