EIT Food launches open Proof of Concepts Call to test public engagement projects for societal impact
Up to EUR 400 000 is available for innovative public engagement project ideas in the agrifood sector. Apply before 18 August for the opportunity to test and validate your potential for societal impact.
EIT Food has announced its latest application window for the Proof of Concepts Call
The call aims to create positive societal impact through public engagement initiatives that enhance consumer trust, improve health outcomes, and reduce the environmental impacts of the food system.
We are excited to be opening up a new round of applications to welcome innovative public engagement proposals that have the potential to transform the food system.
Engaging with consumers is critical to delivering an inclusive agrifood sector that produces healthy, sustainable food and empowers all people to participate and benefit. We look forward to supporting a new cohort of organisations to test and validate ideas that enhance consumer trust and involvement in our future food system.
- Marta Erquicia González-Careaga, Public Engagement Programme Manager at EIT Food
Applications are now open, with a total of up to EUR 400 000 available for projects that:
- Equip individuals to make more informed choices related to health and/or sustainability
- Increase transparency and engagement in the food system
- Enable consumer involvement in shaping the future food system
Organisations can apply for up to EUR 50 000 each to test out their idea. As well as funding, successful applicants will be able to access EIT Food’s expert community, including potential collaborators.
Full guidelines on how to apply for the Proof of Concepts Call
The funding provided by EIT Food has enabled us to work with people who have specific expertise on areas we want to develop, and to dedicate funding to outreach to our local community. This means we are able to learn more about the real needs of the sector on Ibiza – an island that has lost over 50% of its agricultural land in the last 20 years.
Being able to present the project to the agrifood sector on the island is permitting us to gain feedback on where the project is succeeding and failing. It has enabled us to monitor broader island-wide social changes, including the growing number of residents working in the food economy and what infrastructure is needed on the island to increase food sovereignty while facilitating a transition to regenerative agriculture.
- Alicia Torres and Finn Harries, coordinators for Juntos Farm which was selected as a Proof of Concept in 2022
What happens if you are selected?
Successful applicants will use the Proof of Concepts phase to build a scale-up model for a multi-year project. If the project is proven to have potential for societal impact during the testing phase, the activity leader is expected to submit a full proposal for continuation.
EIT Food has allowed us to set up a unique learning network with the five key retailers in Belgium (Carrefour, Aldi, Lidl, Delhaize, and Colruyt) in which, together with civil society actors, universities, and the government, we analyse and discuss on how we can jointly accelerate and upscale systemic change in the food system.
Each action taken within the SUCCESS project is scientifically underpinned by scientific research and experiments with citizens and supermarkets enabled by EIT Food. The Proof of Concepts has allowed to upscale internally and nationally tested strategies within an international consortium, including in lesser-known regions such as Poland.
- Sarah Braeye, coordinator for The Success Project, which is being implemented as a full project following its Proof of Concepts testing phase
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