LOWINFOOD supports the reduction of food loss and waste in European Union by demonstrating innovative solutions following a multi-actor approach that involves actors along the entire value chains. The main objective of the project is to co-design, together with actors of the food chain, low-waste value chains by supporting the demonstration of a portfolio of innovations in the fruits & vegetables, bakery products and fish value chains, as well as in a-home and out-of-home consumption. Proposed solutions are already tested as prototype in lab or in relevant environment but are waiting to be validated and demonstrated to TRL 7/8. The impact of the innovations will be evaluated by providing evidence of (i) their efficacy in reducing food loss and waste in different food value chains, (ii) improving the socio-economic performance of these value chains, and (iii) reducing the environmental impact of the value chains concerned. LOWINFOOD comprises seven interrelated work packages, among which four deal with the demonstration and market replication of the innovations addressed by the project (WP2-5), one to be started before the demonstration of innovations, and seeking to implement a multi-actor approach to support the evaluation of the innovations and including the identification of the methodology, the definition of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and the actual evaluation (WP1), one to communication, dissemination and market replication (WP6) and one for project coordination management (WP7). The LOWINFOOD consortium includes universities, research institutes, start-ups, foundations, associations and companies working in the food sector with expertise in all relevant scientific and technical areas covered by the project: innovation, demonstration, knowledge transfer, dissemination, policy advice and marketing strategy.

There is a pressing need to address environmental problems such as resource depletion, climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, etc. and transition to a more sustainable socio-technical system.To address the mentioned challenges the concept of the Circular Economy (CE) has recently gained significant importance. Central to this relatively new sustainability paradigm is the emphasis on new business models (BM).All over the world, mission-driven entrepreneurs are bringing fresh, disruptive innovations to market in response to some of these challenges. The potential is there, and many sustainability-oriented incubators are appearing, but this phenomenon is far from mainstream and not methodologically implemented. On the contrary, even some basic knowledge on how to reactively deal with environmental and social regulatory and societal demands is absent from the training offers and counselling many incubators offer to start-ups. The idea of CircularStart is grounded on the recognition that there is a lack of know-how and training of start-ups and entrepreneurs in the field of sustainability, CE and their opportunities. In order to be successful, this knowledge needs to be easily integrated into the business idea development and decision-making process, i.e. there is a need for training supported by practical tools that are compatible with well-known BM development methods like e.g. the Business Model Canvas.Therefore, the aim of this project is to develop an interactive guidance tool and related eLearning resources as well as a training program for incubators and consultants to support start-ups to understand, evaluate and improve sustainability issues related to their BM. They should offer a comprehensive guide over the whole BM design process, covering the Initiation, Ideation and Integration phase. The tool and training materials will be developed to be used in direct personal context (such as a classroom, a workshop or a counselling meeting) and as self-study-based eLearning resources.Accordingly, the consortium consists of nine partners representing universities and research centres that for many years have been working on sustainable products, services and businesses, and incubators/accelerators or organizations that represent them, from four distinct EU countries (Austria, Spain, Slovenia and Portugal). The partnership represents different socio-economic, regulatory and financial backgrounds which are essential to ensure that the project responds to the start-ups’ needs in a meaningful and reproducible way across the EU.In the long term, the project will promote and support the development of sustainable BMs across Europe and raise awareness among start-ups, their consultants and investors on the need for more sustainable products, solutions and businesses. Accessible, easy to use and internationally founded eLearning materials and competence building support this. Moreover, the implementation of the project results and their impact will directly or indirectly benefit, beyond the project, society (generating new jobs, new skills, international cooperation…), the economy (generating new business models, wealth sharing…) and the environment (extending the permanence of materials in the economy, optimizing the materials and reducing waste).The project is structured to develop three Intellectual Outputs:O1 - Guidance tool for integrating Circular Economy aspects into Business ModelsO2 - eLearning resources on integrating Circular Economy aspects into Business ModelsO3 - Circular Economy Business Model awarding schemeThe intellectual outputs will be developed through a number of activities:• Definition of the methodology for the guidance tool which integrates CE aspects into the development of BM. The structure of the well-known BM Canvas will be used as a reference and sustainability criteria will be integrated along its nine elements• Elaboration of training resources focused on the integration of sustainability in BMs• Definition of the specifications of the tool and eLearning resources and subsequent programming. The guidance tool and eLearning resources with other relevant content such as examples will be programmed and integrated in a web-platform• Testing the training materials. The eLearning resources and tools will be tested at two different levels: expert business coaches' level (internal and external) and start-up level• Development of criteria to evaluate the circularity of BM to identify the BMs with a higher sustainability impact besides other important business criteria• Evaluation of the circularity and sustainability of the BMs developed by start-ups based on the use of the CircularStart guidance tool and training materials• Definition of the award setting and implementation. National Award Ceremonies will take place in each country with the aim of disseminating the CircularStart project results and multiplying the methods and tools for further implementation.

KATCH_e is a knowledge alliance between Higher Education (HE), companies and research centres to promote the building of competences in the field of product, product-service systems and business models design and development for the circular economy and sustainability, in the construction and furniture sectors.KATCH_e is contributing to the efforts, at national and EU levels, of fostering the transition from a take-make-use-dispose model that depletes natural resources and destroys ecosystems, to a circular model where the value of products, materials and resources is maintained in the economy for as long as possible and the generation of waste is minimized.The project focuses on the development of innovative and multidisciplinary training materials targeting HE academic fields of Design, Engineering, Sustainability Sciences and Business Management. Complementary to the KATCH_e theoretical resources (eight modules and an online course), seven tools that support the academic approach but are also suited to the implementation by businesses have been developed.The implementation of the projects' results in academic and company contexts created several case studies that can be used as teaching elements and as inspiration by other companies engaged in circularity and sustainability.The objectives of KATCH_e are:• To develop training materials to encourage cross-curricular learning, connecting mainly with designers and engineers and other relevant stakeholders;• To develop a new educational focus through a cross-sectoral real problem-based learning approach, involving university students, professors, researchers, companies and other stakeholders to integrate circular economy and sustainability thinking in design education, defining as well didactic recommendations for teaching;• To encourage multidisciplinary relationships and to support the exchange of information, experiences and materials between the partners and stakeholders, through the creation of structures (a knowledge platform and a hub) and activities to engage stakeholders from different areas in a systematic and efficient;• To foster the entrepreneurial skills and motivations to students and simultaneously, providing companies and professionals of the target sectors the knowledge to analyse and to define new competitive market strategies in a more circular society, thus favouring the recruitment of future employees and the creation of new companies and business models;• To set the foundation for a strong and lasting knowledge alliance between HE and business: joint development of curricula, development of training materials and suitable tools, co-creation of innovative solutions, etc. for continuing the cooperation after the end of the project period.The KATCH_e consortium is led by LNEG, I.P., Portugal, and is composed of 11 partners from four EU countries: Portugal, Spain, Austria and Denmark. The project's duration was 36 monthes (January 2017-December 2019).

<< Objectives >>Project aims at:- Building environmental awareness of SME leaders & staff to actively look for innovative, sustainable packaging solutions- Developing Partners’, SME leaders & staff competencies (with innovative tools & practical processes) allowing them to start changes & become agents of sustainable change in their SMEs- Developing VET educators sustainability competencies & equipping them with ready made curricula & tools to support sustainability focused development of SME leaders & staff<< Implementation >>Activities:1. In search for sustainable packaging - competency gaps analysis; knowledge sharing & mutual learning event2. Awakening packaging sustainability awareness with PackLess MOOC3. Igniting the process of active search for innovative packaging solutions to SME sustainable transformation with a PackLess Compendium of success stories & dedicated educational package4. Sharing and promotion of project results online & offline (5 national conferences)<< Results >>Main results:1. Defined competence gaps of SME leaders (including partner organisations) in relation to SME sustainable packaging transformation2. Workshop for Partners’ staff members & educators on sustainability and waste free packaging & designing digital educational solutions for long term habits development3. PackLess MOOC for VET learners with a VET curriculum4. Compendium of knowledge and cases to follow starting SME sustainable packaging transformation w/methodology for VET educators