LIFE21-GIC-PT-GrowLIFE

An integrated approach to promote sustainable food systems via behavioral changes cross-fostering all parties involved

GrowLIFE is a Climate and Governance Information project, aiming at fostering behavioural change throughout the food system in order to increase the share of practices that are more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable. According to the European Environment Agency, agriculture is the fifth sector producing more greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, GrowLIFE represents a response to the European Green Deal, the European Climate Pact, and the Farm to Fork Strategy.

Only an integrated approach, will allow an effective transition to a sustainable and climate resilient agricultural system, from production to distribution and consumption. This entails fostering change in producers, policy makers and consumers. GrowLIFE will contribute to this aim by a) capacitating farmers to employ sustainable agricultural practices (e.g., crop rotation, reduced pesticide use), b) incentivising policy makers to promote sustainability in the food sector (namely, via incentivising short food supply chains; distribution), c) increasing consumer awareness to the importance of a sustainable food system for the future of the planet and d) empowering catering professionals, trend setters of food consumption, to create sustainable meals (consumption). This will be done in 12 municipalities spread across Portugal and employing methodologies that promote peer-to-peer knowledge transfer and multi-stakeholder discussions. GrowLIFE have the potential to elicit significant change in the Portuguese food system and with it ensure a better future for us all.

Project ID

101074425

Funding period

1 June 2023 - 31 May 2028

Total budget

€2,421,123.24

EU contribution

€1,452,673.90

Funding programme

LIFE2027

Call for proposals

LIFE-2021-SAP-CLIMA

Type of action

LIFE-PJG

Type of stakeholder

Farmers, policy-makers, private sector - catering, consumers

Project contribution to Mission Soil’s:

Specific objectives

  • 1. Reduce land degradation relating to desertification
    Not targeted
  • 2. Conserve and increase soil organic carbon stocks
    Not targeted
  • 3. No net soil sealing and increase the reuse of urban soils
    Not targeted
  • 4. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration
    Not targeted
  • 5. Prevent erosion
    Not targeted
  • 6. Improve soil structure to enhance habitat quality for soil biota and crops
    Not targeted
  • 7. Reduce the EU global footprint on soils
    Not targeted
  • 8. Increase soil literacy in society across Member States
    Partially targeted

Operational objectives

  • 1. Build capacities and the knowledge base for soil stewardship
    Partially targeted
  • 2. Co-create and upscale place-based innovations to improve soil health in all places
    Not targeted
  • 3. Develop an integrated EU soil monitoring system and track progress towards soil health
    Not targeted
  • 4. Engage with the soil user community and society at large
    Partially targeted

Innovation hotspots

  • 1. Carbon farming
    Not targeted
  • 2. Soil pollution and restoration
    Not targeted
  • 3. Soil biodiversity including the microbiome
    Not targeted
  • 4. Circular economy solutions
    Not targeted

Cross-cutting dimensions

  • 1. Business
    Not targeted
  • 2. Digital
    Not targeted
  • 3. Territorial
    Not targeted
  • 4. International
    Not targeted

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