31 March 2025 – The FoodCoP project has officially launched its online platform: a dedicated space for everyone working to make rural food systems across Europe more sustainable, inclusive and innovative.
Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, FoodCoP supports local and regional actors in adopting circular bioeconomy strategies and building resilient food systems from the ground up. The newly released platform marks a major step forward in this mission.
Turning ideas into action: a practical tool for rural stakeholders
Rural areas across Europe are full of ideas, initiatives and committed individuals. But many still face challenges when it comes to accessing relevant knowledge, building networks or scaling up successful approaches. The FoodCoP platform was designed to bridge this gap.
It brings together everything needed to turn innovation into impact:
- a curated library of resources on rural development, circular bioeconomy, food systems, and EU-funded projects
- a discussion forum where users can ask questions, share experiences and co-create solutions
- a directory of community members for peer-to-peer connection
- a download area with practical tools and materials
- an events section to stay updated and promote local activities
By providing all this in one place, the platform helps overcome fragmentation, making it easier for rural actors to learn from each other and collaborate across regions and sectors.
Built for those driving change in rural areas
The platform is open to a wide range of users: local policymakers, rural entrepreneurs, civil society organisations, researchers, cluster managers, innovation intermediaries and more. Whether developing new food businesses, shaping sustainable policies or supporting rural communities, this space offers practical support and visibility.
It also complements broader European initiatives, such as the Startup Village Forum and the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative, reinforcing Europe’s commitment to rural innovation and cohesion.
Looking ahead: a long-term vision for rural transformation
The FoodCoP platform has been carefully designed to evolve continuously through user feedback and co-design, responding to the real needs of its community. Its ambition is to become the long-term European reference for rural innovation — a trusted and open environment where knowledge, dialogue and collaboration fuel sustainable change in food systems.
By supporting rural communities to take the lead in shaping their own futures, FoodCoP contributes to closing the innovation divide between urban and rural Europe and strengthening territorial cohesion.
Join the community
The platform is now live at www.platform-foodcop.eu. Access to basic information is public, while registration (free of charge) unlocks full functionality and access to a growing European community of practice.
This project is funded by the European Research Executive Agency (REA) under Horizon Europe programme 2021–2027. G.A. 101182001.
For more information, contact:
Sofía Ros | sros@clusterfoodmasi.es | (+34) 659 17 53 35
