Applying stakeholder engagement methods to explore new models for improving consumer rights, gender equality and young people employment in food businesses

Several EU funded projects within Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe programme are based on “multi-actor approach” (MAA). This means that projects must focus on real problems or opportunities that farmers, producers, distributors, or other players of the food supply chains who need a solution (“end-users”) are facing. It also means that partners with complementary types of knowledge – scientific, practical and other – must join forces in the project activities from beginning to end. As a result, MAA projects are able to develop innovative solutions which are more ready to be applied in practice and cover real needs. 
Based on the results of previous EU funded project such as DESIRA, DIVERSIFOOD, FARMWELL, etc, the specific activities of this Task will explore, through a participatory approach, determinants influencing consumers' choices when buying, preparing, and consuming food within their food environment, and more generally the social sustainability multifaceted dimensions. A specific focus will be addressed to gender equality from a Policy and Legislative perspective in light of the new CAP regulation.

First of all, 2 different literature reviews will be carried out in order to a) compare various multi-actor, participatory and action research approaches that have been adopted in the food business in recent years (Month 12); and to b) outline emerging determinants influencing consumers’ choices when buying , preparing and consuming food (Month 24). This work will be carried out in collaboration with other tasks of WP 1.3 and with task 1.2.1 that specifically addresses food environments. Simultaneously, through a desk research based on EU funded projects by both direct (such as Horizon, Urbact, Erasmus+) and indirect funding programme (National and Regional Operational Programmes and more generally by the Cohesion Policy), a list of new models for increasing the awareness of the different players of supply chains and food systems on consumer rights, gender equality and young people employment in food business, will be outlined (Month 18).
Consequently, the task will set up and organize different Living Labs aligned with results emerging from the activities of WP 1 – WP 2 and WP3 and involving both the partners who take part to those tasks and other relevant stakeholders in the territories where ONFOODS universities are embedded. Reflections and debates will be facilitated to understand which new models can improve consumer rights, young people's employment and gender equality conditions in agriculture (from month 12 to the end of the project) and social sustainability.

The first literature reviews will provide methodological insights to carry on Living Labs with both partners of ONFOODS project and external stakeholders. Based on the main evidences of this LR, innovative methodologies will be applied to the ONFOODS Living Labs with the aim to boost a dialogue within the Quadruple Helix of Innovation (Higher Education Institutions, Public administration, Business players and Civic Society) to explore new models for improving social inclusion in the food business.
Outcomes from other tasks of ONFOODS will represent relevant “food for thought” to increase the reflection phase and the awareness of stakeholders involved in the Living Labs.
Furthermore, the second literature review - Milestone 1.3.1. “List of determinants influencing consumers' choices when buying, preparing, and consuming food within their food environment” - expected at Month 24, will be widely discussed in the Living Labs with the aim to find and elaborate case studies to be experimented within our consortium and then to provide policy recommendations.