As a Horizon 2020-funded initiative (ID: 101000640), Cities2030 aims to transform food systems by fostering resilience and sustainability, aligning with the European Union’s FOOD2030 agenda. In a remarkable collaboration with the ERASMUS+ project BSPORT+ (REF. 613508-EPP-1-2019-1-ES-SPO-SCP), IAAD leverages Cities2030’s system thinking methodology to integrate innovative policy lifecycle developments into Cities2030’s capacity-building programmes for policy frameworks innovation action (P-CBP, D4.1)
A synergistic approach to policy labs. The foundation for this collaboration was laid through structured workshops and Small-scale Awareness-Raising Events (SARE) initiated under BSPORT+. These events explored participatory governance, public-private synergies, and community-driven innovation, culminating in the realisation of Policy Labs between 2021 until May 2022. These labs brought together policymakers, educators, and community stakeholders to analyse local, regional, and national policy frameworks, focusing on enabling factors and identifying obstacles for healthier and more inclusive food systems.
System thinking for impactful capacity building. IAAD employed its robust system thinking methodology to contextualise the findings from BSPORT+, ensuring that the P-CBP addressed key challenges. This approach prioritised participatory governance, connecting actors from diverse sectors to co-create innovative frameworks that link schools, food systems, and health initiatives. Through this integration, the projects successfully bridged gaps between local needs and EU-level strategies.
Towards a sustainable policy framework. The collaboration exemplifies the power of synergy in fostering systemic innovation. By combining BSPORT+’s groundwork on community engagement and participatory governance with Cities2030’s strategic vision, IAAD generates actionable pathways to embed resilience into food systems through education and policy innovation.
IAAD’s synergistic efforts between Cities2030 and BSPORT+ highlight the transformative potential of cross-sectoral collaboration, setting a benchmark for future initiatives aimed at addressing the complexities of sustainable development and food system resilience.