Project information

PROJECT TITLE: Circular Economy: Mapping Food Streams and Identifying Potentials to Close Food Cycle

ACRONYM: CEFoodCycle

ABOUT THE PROJECT

By applying the concept of circular economy to the food stream, CEFoodCycle will create a sustainable methodology to avoid food waste, increase reuse of resources and close food cycles in the Alps. Resource saving potentials will be identified in product categories such as fruits and vegetables, meat or dairy products. A digital service system using artificial intelligence will connect stakeholders across the food system. The project will enable different stakeholders to take into account resource and CO₂ savings and strengthen sustainable and circular economic competitiveness in the Alps.

Project outputs include:

1. Alpine-wide consolidation of LCA methodology for defined food product categories,
2. Intelligent, digital LCA service system (IDLCASS) that helps users to evaluate decisions regarding resource / CO2 savings,
3. Implementation of smart, closed circular food cycle networks,
4. Regionally established Circular Food Hubs that acquire, educate and supervise stakeholders to make the impact of the AI system-supported decisions more sustainable, transparent and measurable.

LEAD PARTNER: University of Applied Science Salzburg; AT

PROJECT PARTNERS:

• Austrian Institute of Ecology, AT
• E-zavod, Institute for comprehensive development solutions, SI
• Nice Côte d’Azur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, FR
• BSC, Business support organisation, ltd., Kranj, SI
• Agency for Sustainable Mediterranean Cities and Territories, FR
• LAMORO Development Agency, IT
• IDM Südtirol Alto Adige; IT
• University of Applied Sciences Munich, DE
• Cluster of Environmental Technologies Bavaria, DE

PROJECT BUDGET: 2,39 million EUR, EBRD co-financing: 80%

Project duration: 11.2022 – 10.2025

This project is co-funded by the European Union