The SWITCH Project, an innovative initiative funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe, has been prominently featured in various educational programs by the Future Food Institute (FFI) and Paideia Campus throughout 2023 and up to June 2024. This engagement has been crucial in refining the project’s action strategies, communication, and dissemination activities.
By focusing on improving European food systems through knowledge and innovation, SWITCH aims to facilitate a just, healthy, and sustainable food transition. The project seeks to address gaps in training and accessibility, supporting the widespread adoption of healthy dietary patterns in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Over the past six months, the themes of SWITCH have been explored with young people aged 13 to 25. This demographic engagement has provided valuable insights into the interests and knowledge of Generation Alpha and Generation Z, enhancing the project’s approach.
Key educational highlights include:
- First Edition of the Master’s in Sustainable Food Systems at the University Federico II of Naples: SWITCH served as excellent content for this new program, with students participating in a Bootcamp at the Pollica Living Lab Paideia Campus of FFI.
- Hackathons at Summer Schools of TRED High Schools: More than 100 Students spent a week in Pollica understanding the connection between the Mediterranean diet and integral ecology, with SWITCH being a central theme of these challenges. Students from the Liceo Malpighi in Bologna, the IIS G. Capellini – N. Sauro in La Spezia, I.S.I.T. Bassi – P. Burgatti in Cento (FE), IISS S. Mottura, and from Liceo S. Pizzi, the LS Dante Alighieri.
- Lessons at ITS in Food Sustainability, the program that trains the students to be capable of supporting agrifood companies in identifying and implementing solutions to improve sustainability and quality of products and processes, valorization of waste in a circular perspective. SWITCH was presented as a case study of a research project.
- International Gastro Diplomacy Bootcamp: SWITCH was presented as a significant case study, highlighting its relevance on a global scale.
- International Study Programs: SWITCH was integrated into the curriculum of NYU Food Studies, Borromini Institute and the Erasmus Plus BIP program involving the Universities of Bologna, Helsinki, and Krakow.
- Extracurricular Programs and Field Schools: Primary and lower secondary school students in Campania participated in activities at Paideia Campus, focusing on sustainable diets.
The SWITCH Project continues to involve six Food Hubs across Europe: Rome and the Lazio region; Berlin and the Brandenburg region; Montpellier and the Occitania region; Cagliari and the Sardinia region; Gothenburg and the Vastra Gotaland region; and San Sebastian and the Basque region. Over four years, these hubs and partners will work to locally implement environmental, economic, and social sustainability, improve food systems and cultural approaches, and enhance knowledge and accessibility of sustainable and healthy foods for all consumers.
Project Partners: CMCC – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change; BBC Innovation; DAS BAUMHAUS; Future Food Institute; IIASA; EPFL – École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne; Kutxa Fundazioa and Kutxa Ekogunea; AGRO CAMERA (ARM); pOsti; LAORE; INRAE – Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environment; RISE – Research Institutes of Sweden; UPM; UNINA; UNICAMP; Wageningen University & Research; ZALF; Chalmers Sweden; BC3; and Antistatique.
The integration of SWITCH into these educational programs underscores its importance and potential in shaping future food systems, making significant strides towards a sustainable and healthy food transition in Europe.
SWITCH – Project number: 101060483. Call:HORIZON-CL6-2021-FARM2FORK-01-15: Transition to sustainable and healthy dietary behaviour”;
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