We are pleased to announce that, as of May 1st, the SHADES project has officially started.
As coordinators, we are particularly proud to launch what represents our fourth project funded under PRIMA Partnership. This milestone is both an honour and a strong confirmation of our continued commitment to fostering sustainable and resilient food systems across regions.
Building on the legacy of its predecessor, SWITCHtoHEALTHY, SHADES addresses a highly relevant and timely challenge. The project aims to transform urban food systems by promoting healthier and more sustainable diets, with a specific focus on school meal programmes. At its core is the reintroduction of the Mediterranean Diet as a powerful model to improve public health while reducing environmental impact.
SHADES adopts a systemic and multi-actor approach, engaging schools, families, policymakers, and local farmers to drive meaningful change. Public food procurement is leveraged as a strategic tool to enable large-scale dietary shifts, while Artificial Intelligence supports the analysis of dietary behaviours and evidence-based decision-making.
The project also places strong emphasis on education and innovation, developing digital and educational tools to enhance food literacy across all age groups. At the same time, it strengthens collaboration between EU and MENA regions, promoting knowledge exchange and supporting local economies through shorter food supply chains and the involvement of small-scale farmers.
For more information, please visit the project page at this link.
Stay tuned, many updates are on the way, and we will soon be sharing the official channels through which SHADES will connect with its community.