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food webinar
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02 September 2026
10:00am 11:30am CEST

Webinar "Connecting local food strategies with S3/RIS3 and regional programmes"

This public webinar is part of Action 3, “Building Bridges between Local Authorities and Relevant Regional Strategies” of the Food Partnership Action Plan.
The aim of the Action is to identify inspiring practices, clear references and benchmarks to develop a roadmap with recommendations to enhance synergies between local food strategies and regional programs, mainly Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3).

Why this webinar?

This public online session is part of Action 3, “Building Bridges between Local Authorities and Relevant Regional Strategies”, of the Urban Agenda for the EU Food Partnership Action Plan.

The aim is to collect feedback on the emerging Action 3 findings and on the practical roadmap under development. The session will focus on the relationship between local food strategies and regional programmes, especially Smart Specialisation Strategies / RIS3 and agri-food innovation strategies.
The webinar will invite regions, Managing Authorities, innovation agencies, clusters, universities, living labs, local authorities and relevant EU projects to reflect on what already works, where the gaps are, and what practical entry points should be included in the roadmap.
Read the evidence and policy brief for an overview of the key findings and proposed policy recommendations.

Action 3 - Evidence & Policy Brief

Key objectives
  • Share a concise synthesis of the emerging Action 3 case map and analytical typology
  • Collect feedback on how cities and local authorities are currently involved in S3/RIS3 and regional food-related strategies
  • Identify missing regional cases, projects or intermediary structures
  • Discuss practical gaps between local food strategies and regional funding or innovation programmes
  • Collect feedback on what the Action 3 roadmap should include

Programme

Welcome and purpose of the feedback session

Short introduction to Action 3 and explanation of how participant feedback will be used

Presentation of emerging findings

Case map, emerging typology, S3/RIS3 entry points and common barriers

Invited reactionsShort reflections from selected regional authorities, S3/RIS3 actors, Managing Authorities, innovation agencies, universities, clusters or cities
Open floor for feedback and discussionParticipants will be invited to comment on missing cases, practical gaps, intermediary bodies and roadmap elements
Next stepsExplanation of how comments will be integrated into the Action 3 roadmap and recommendations

Speakers

  • Marian Simon Rojo – Adjunct Professor, Ph.D.  Higher Technical School of Architecture - Polytechnic University of Madrid, AESOP Sustainable Food Planning member, Action leader  of Action no.3 of the Food Partnership Action Plan
  • Roxana Maria Triboi – EUI External Expert 
  • Kostas Karamarkos - EUI External Expert
  • Venla Virkamäki - Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council (FI)
  • Panu Vuorimaa - City of Vantaa
  • Antti Saartenoja - Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia (FI)
  • Elina Koivisto - Into Seinäjoki / City of Seinäjoki

Who should attend

  • Regional authorities and Managing Authorities involved in S3/RIS3 or agri-food innovation strategies
  • Regional innovation agencies, agri-food clusters, bioeconomy clusters and business support organisations
  • Universities, living labs and Horizon/Food 2030 projects working on territorial food systems
  • Cities and local authorities seeking to connect local food strategies with regional programmes and funding opportunities

Feedback after the webinar

Participants will be invited to leave short written feedback after the session. This will be used to correct the case reading, add missing examples and refine the final report and recommendations. Participants who already completed a survey or interview do not need to repeat their previous input; they are invited to focus on corrections, missing cases and practical comments.
 

REGISTER HERE

02 September 2026
10:00am 11:30am CEST
Webinar "Connecting local food strategies with S3/RIS3 and regional programmes"