CORDIS · CIRC4FOOD
The CIRC4FOOD Alliance: A New Ecosystem for Circular and Sustainable Functional Foods
- Code
CIRC4FOOD- Programme
- HORIZON
- Call
HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-01-ACCESS-01- Status
- SIGNED
- Period
- 2026-10-01 – 2030-09-30
Official data · CORDIS · synced 2026-10-17 10:16 · official record
Participants
Description
The CIRC4FOOD Alliance addresses critical research and innovation disparities within the European Research Area by empowering Widening countries to become engines of excellence in sustainable food systems. This comprehensive project establishes a new ecosystem to accelerate Europe's transition to circular and energy-efficient functional foods. By uniting 20 partners from academia, industry, and innovation clusters across 10 countries, CIRC4FOOD implements a multi-level transformation strategy. The project drives institutional modernization in partner universities by embedding CoARA-aligned, impact-oriented research assessment frameworks and establishing permanent interdisciplinary Research Hubs. It builds advanced research capacity through a shared infrastructure platform, a joint R&I agenda, and seed-funded projects. A core focus is on strengthening knowledge valorisation and entrepreneurship via dedicated hubs, equipping researchers with commercialisation skills and creating a pipeline for spin-offs. CIRC4FOOD integrates digital transformation through AI, digital twins, and FAIR data repositories to optimize processes and monitor impact. These innovations are validated in real-world industrial pilots, such as valorising dairy by-products and developing sustainable foods for healthy ageing. Through Living Labs, the project ensures societal engagement and co-creation. Ultimately, CIRC4FOOD bridges the innovation gap, boosts the competitiveness of Widening institutions, and delivers tangible solutions aligned with the EU Green Deal and Farm to Fork Strategy.
Official data · CORDIS · synced 2026-10-17 10:16 · official record · Licence: © European Union, CC BY 4.0 (Commission reuse policy).