Tool 3 – Call & Funding Recommendations
How to develop funding calls for supporting sustainable food systems?
FOODPathS offers practical recommendations to guide you in developing funding opportunities that drive inclusive and sustainable food systems. These recommendations are based on an analysis of 21 funding calls, including those from ERA-NETs, Horizon Europe Partnerships, regional calls, and Foundations, with a focus on integrating a food systems approach into future funding mechanisms.
Who is this tool for?
The tool is for any stakeholder supporting sustainable food systems, aiming to foster sustainability for people and the planet such as,
- Private and public funder organizations
- EU Commission
- FutureFoodS Partnership
- Any other grant-making organizations.
What are the benefits?
Provides clear guidance for developing impactful funding opportunities.
Supports alignment with a food systems approach.
Promotes impact by focusing on funding calls that create long-term, positive change in food systems for both people and the environment.
Main recommendations for developing a call on SFS:
- Provide a definition of systems approach or a clear explanation of what is meant;
- Be mindful and consistent with terminology, e.g. when using typical elements of a systems approach such as multi-/inter-/transdisciplinarity;
- Cross-disciplinarity, stakeholder engagement, and multi-actor approach are highly demanded and also of great relevance for a systems approach call; think about where and how to ask for these aspects and consider the differences between the concepts;
- When applying a systems approach it is important to consider both synergies and trade-offs;
- Think about how impact shall be achieved by the projects, how the food systems approach contributes to impact and provides guidance and support towards applicants;
- What additions to the proposals are sensible and what shall they contain (e.g. impact plan, Dissemination Exploitation Communication plan, stakeholder engagement plan, implementation/valorisation plan, etc.); adapt to the systems approach and consider also follow-up and adjustments over time (revisiting the plan);
- Networking activities facilitated at programme level can be valuable to align and/or collaborate with other projects or programmes but they need to be backed up with dedicated resources (they might even be a necessity for co-design and co-creation);
- Be open to new funding instruments beyond classical projects (e.g. knowledge hubs) to create mechanisms for fostering connectivity, co-creation and inclusiveness.