Empowering local urban food systems entrepreneurship and innovation

¿De qué trata esta convocatoria?

The topic funds innovation actions that build incubators, hubs and mentoring for urban food start-ups and entrepreneurs. Consortia must involve local authorities, SMEs, researchers, civil society and citizens.

¿Qué financia esta convocatoria?

Scope

The topic drives inclusive innovation in local urban food systems and supports start-ups and entrepreneurs, in line with the Food 2030 priorities and the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy.

Activities

• Develop and pilot decentralised capacities such as food innovation incubators, accelerators and hubs that offer targeted support and access to capital, and connect ecosystems across Member States and Associated Countries.
• Run tailored mentoring programmes and co-create place-based, climate-smart business models.
• Use pilots to scale and replicate urban food system innovations across EU contexts, measuring sustainability impact with indicators.
• Connect with existing research and innovation partnerships, missions and platforms to derive viable business models.

Cross-cutting requirements

Social sciences and humanities should contribute effectively, and the gender dimension and other social categories should be considered where applicable.

Expected outcomes

Faster growth of innovation-led urban food start-ups, inclusive governance that supports mentoring and co-creation, and interconnected urban food innovation ecosystems across Europe. Activities are expected to reach TRL 6-8 by the end of the project.

¿Cuándo termina el plazo?

23 de septiembre de 2027 (321 días)

23 September 2027 (single-stage call).