As 2024 comes to a close, we’re celebrating a big milestone: two years of CULTIVATE! It’s been an incredible journey so far, filled with exciting progress, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections as we work to make food sharing a central part of sustainable city life across Europe.
In Utrecht’s Rijnvliet edible neighbourhood, we opened the doors to our second Lab & Kitchen, where neighbours came together to test a series game that makes food sharing fun and accessible for everyone. And speaking of digital tools, we’re putting the finishing touches on the SHARECITY200 Database, set to launch in 2025, so stay tuned!
Research has been a big part of the CULTIVATE story this year too. From Barcelona to Milan to Utrecht, we’ve been digging into how food sharing is governed, uncovering insights into what works and where there’s room to grow. A research protocol developed by the project now provides a framework for future governance analysis, and findings like “L’agricultura urbana compartida a la ciutat de Barcelona: una anàlisi de governança” offer region-specific insights into the potential of urban food sharing.
Of course, it hasn’t just been about studies and data. We’ve been busy in the field, running workshops, connecting with local communities, and learning from each other during a webinar series and the “buddy visits” between project FSIs. Reflections and results from the buddy visits have been shared in front of a camera by the partners, with the double video interview series called “Buddy Bites”. The Lisbon bootcamp was a highlight, bringing fresh energy and new tools into the CULTIVATE FSIs which have resulted into 10 Action Plans designed to spark real change starting from their own organisations.
As we gear up for year three, we’re excited to keep building on this momentum. Together with our amazing partners and communities, CULTIVATE is reimagining how cities can share food in ways that are sustainable, innovative, and just plain awesome.
Thanks for being part of the journey! Keep following CULTIVATE through our social media channels, there’s so much more to come!
Photo credits: Leonardo Improta
