Utrecht researchers participate in NWO awarded project for a faster realisation of healthy and sustainable food systems in the Netherlands

Within the Dutch Research Agenda (NWA) programme Transition to a sustainable food system, NWO has awarded funding to one proposal from a consortium of researchers, companies and civil society partners. The collaborating partners will search for ways to accelerate the transition to a healthy and sustainable food system in the Netherlands.

A total of 20 knowledge institutions, companies and civil society partners are taking part. The joint consortium partners formulated the project proposal via a so-called "sandpit model". An amount of 2.8 million euros has been awarded. Utrecht researchers, Brian Dermody, Merel Soons and Arjan Stegeman, participate in this project. 

Brian Dermody, Assistant professor at the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geosciences, will work with colleagues from Leiden University on the development of a Food System Transition Model. This model will serve as a tool to integrate and formalise the insights from the entire project. They intend to provide a learning environment where stakeholders and policymakers can understand the complex interdependencies within the Dutch food system and gain a systemic, qualitative, and quantitative understanding of effective leverage points for the transition.  

I'm really happy to be part of this interdisciplinary project which aims to understand how we can accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system in the Netherlands. I am especially excited about the chance to develop a Food System Transition Model. With this model, we aim to understand the complex dynamics of transition within the Dutch food system. Just as importantly, the model is participatory and will serve as a learning environment, where food system stakeholders can understand how they may align their actions to achieve a just and sustainable transition of the Dutch food system.

Merel Soons, Professor of Plant Dispersal Ecology & Conservation, will work with other project partners on mapping out the consequences of the current food system and possible future food systems for biodiversity in rural areas.  

Food and biodiversity are intricately connected. In this project, we will estimate the impact potential future food systems have on biodiversity. This information helps design the optimal food system of the future.

Arjan Stegeman, Professor Animal Farm Health, together with colleagues in other partner universities, will look at the role of animals in future food systems with particular attention to the risks to humans and animals from infectious diseases. Consider, for example, the flow of germs in a circular food system.

The project’s coordinator is Prof. F. (Frederike) Praasterink, HAS University of Applied Sciences 

Consortium partners: Radboud University, Leiden University, Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University, University of Amsterdam, VU Amsterdam, TU Eindhoven, Aeres University of Applied Sciences, Inholland University of Applied Sciences, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Blonk Consultants, Stichting Milieukeur (SMK), Eemlandhoeve, Transitiecoalitie Voedsel, Greendish, Nutriënten Management Instituut, Circular Landscapes, BoerenNatuur, Jong Leren Eten 

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