FutureFoodS 2024: FULCRUM - Food Systems Labs: Policy Coherence and Empowerment to Transform Food Systems within a Just Circular Bioeconomy

FULCRUM examines how the principles of a circular bioeconomy can contribute to a socially just, climatefriendly, and resource-efficient transformation of Europe’s agricultural and food systems. The aim is to At the center of the project is the concept of a circular bioeconomy: biological resources should be used and recycled efficiently, and natural material cycles should be closed—e.g., through the utilization of byproducts from animal husbandry or the use of residues from fisheries and algae production. FULCRUM combines terrestrial and marine bioeconomy approaches and their perspectives.
In five living labs in Belgium, Germany, Italy, Norway, and the Netherlands, researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and civil society are working closely together to develop and test solutions to challenges such as dealing with nutrient surpluses, utilizing waste streams, and promoting social justice in the food system. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin leads the work package on the development of innovative policy approaches. It creates methodological guidelines for cooperative design processes, trains project partners in participatory policy development, and coordinates the comparative analysis of results from the living labs. In a regional case study involving stakeholders from agriculture, public administration, civil society, and business, practical solutions for more sustainable nutrient use and utilization of animal waste are being developed. In addition, HU is involved in the scientific analysis, communication, and strategic use of the project results.