Hungry EcoCities. an innovative initiative at the intersection of art, technology, and sustainable food practices, is thrilled to announce the selection of 10 exceptional Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) as winners of its 2nd Open Call, which will take part in the ‘Paths to Progress Experiments.’ These visionary companies, representing actors from throughout the food value chain, will collaborate with artists and the Hungry EcoCities consortium on developing (AI-enabled) prototypes aimed at making our food chain more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable.
“Transforming the European food system happens on the grounds, in the regions of Europe, by small food companies,” says Rodolfo Groenewoud van Vliet, Project Lead of Hungry EcoCities. “Although often overlooked or difficult to reach, I am proud that so many of them found their way to our program. Now we have a chance, through multidisciplinary work, to take a step forward towards a better food system, for real.”
About Hungry EcoCities
Hungry EcoCities is a European-funded project that aims to redefine the future of food production and consumption. By bringing together artists, technology experts, and food industry innovators, the project tackles the dual challenges of rapid urbanization and climate change. The project’s key goals are to:
The Winners
The selected SMEs represent a diverse cross-section of the agri-food sector, including:
What the Winners Receive
Each winning SME will receive up to €45,000 in funding, along with a comprehensive 14-month support programme to develop and test their innovative solutions. They will have access to scientific expertise from the Hungry EcoCities scientist group, collaborate with artists for creative experimentation and prototyping, and benefit from project’s earlier developed tools and a network of knowledge hubs. Anca Marin, Open Call Coordinator, shared her enthusiasm: “We’re excited to work with these innovative SMEs. Their enthusiasm and dedication will drive meaningful change in the agri-food sector. By blending art and cutting-edge technology with traditional practices, we’re opening new paths to a more sustainable food future.”
What’s Next
The selected SMEs will be paired with artists and the Hungry EcoCities consortium to form dynamic teams. Together, they will tackle real-world challenges in the food industry, creating prototypes that could reshape how we produce, distribute, and consume food.
