Programme Category
Programme Name
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The FOODITY – Open Call #2 aims to engage different entities, including SMEs and startups, research and technology organisations (RTOs) and universities, social innovation actors and training organisations, to develop data-driven solutions towards citizen empowerment in regard to data rights and sustainable food systems. The FOODITY project aims to create a dynamic European ecosystem of digital solutions for food and nutrition, respectful of citizens’ right to personal data sovereignty – and demonstrate the potential of data-driven innovations in this area, engaging citizens in their development.
Detailed Call Description
FOODITY is seeking actors in the areas of research and development and social innovation to develop data-driven solutions that will:
- Provide innovative solutions allowing citizens to take control of their data and make better decisions around food and nutrition.
- Address the low readiness level and lack of standards in (food and data sovereignty) research.
- Address poor understanding of data rights and utilisation among citizens.
- Bring together different actors towards developing data privacy standards.
Pilots must develop a solution that addresses a minimum one of the following areas: (1) shopping experiences, (2) education, or (3) services, all within the domains of food systems and a sustainability transition. Citizen engagement is required as part of the solutions development during the pilot programme to ensure that the above aims will not only be reached, but that developed solutions will fit needs and interests, allowing for maximum impact. Ultimately, FOODITY cares about “aware” citizens navigating food systems through informed decision making and conscious consumption. In turn, this project believes that better choices will also facilitate healthier and more sustainable food systems.
The FOODITY – Open Call #2 focuses on the development of innovative data-driven solutions for food and nutrition that are respectful of users’ personal data sovereignty. Therefore, with the objective of enabling solutions to be ready for the market in Phase 2, the open call will accept proposed solutions currently between TRL 4 and 6, but capable of scaling up to TRL 7.
The open call will fund at least 1 application per theme, as long as a minimum evaluation threshold is met. FOODITY will be providing data architecture for ethical protection, management, and storage of data. The FOODITY datalake and dataU platform are secure resources for these purposes. All proposed pilots are required to utilise them. The dataU will process and manage data whilst the datalake provides the architecture for storage.
The call also provides a Matchmaking Platform and will also host an Info Webinar on 18th of June 2024, 15h00 -16h00 (Brussels time), presenting the Open Call details and followed by live Q&A.
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
The FOODITY – Open Call #2 will fund 6 proposals to contribute to this ecosystem of solutions. Beneficiaries may receive up to €180.000 and qualify for the FOODITY Star Award valued at €7.500.
The funding is broken into two phases: the first phase runs for 9 months and grants €150.000 (Phase 1) and the second phase runs for an additional 3 months and grants €30.000 (Phase 2). Only three of the six pilots will proceed to the second phase. The three projects moving from Phase 1 to Phase 2 will be selected by a jury in a pitch competition.
The funds are disbursed based on quality of results and all pilots will be evaluated against KPIs. Pilots are required to fully complete their KPIs to receive complete funding.
Thematic Categories
- Education and training
- New Entrepreneurship
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
Eligibility for Participation
- Educational Institutions
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- Training Centres
Eligibility For Participation Notes
FOODITY is looking for entities with both technical and social innovation expertise, as well as knowledge on citizen engagement. This call will fund projects developed by a consortium of 2-3 entities, led by an SME/startup and partner with 2-3 entities that are a mixture of for-profit and non-profit organisations.
Natural persons or entities applying alone are not eligible. The following types of entities may apply as part of a consortium:
- SMEs including startups developing solutions for data-driven innovation in personalised nutrition, sustainable food systems and shopping experiences.
- Social innovation actors (SIA), which may be a non-profit organisation or company, providing new practices aiming at citizen empowerment and proposing concrete actions for data sovereignty, as well as associations representing consumers’ interest in health and nutrition.
- Research and technology organisations (RTOs) and universities, working on advancing the state-of-the-art and solving the challenges around data driven innovation for health and nutrition and mechanisms to preserve citizens sovereignty of their personal data in using solutions for health and nutrition.
- Training organisations providing professional training for careers in the food industry, such as culinary or nutrition schools, interested in teaching and experimenting with the power of data for innovation and competitiveness in food production and diet planning.
Any SME that is already funded through Open Call #1 is not eligible to participate in Open Call #2 (list of funded entities here).
Any entity or consortium that participated but was not funded in Open Call #1 is eligible to participate in Open Call #2. In such cases, applicants are required to describe how they are submitting a different proposal and improvements made.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
If you have questions on the general Call process and proposal submission, you can contact by email the: opencalls@foodity.eu