AgroBRIDGES
Digital toolbox and online multi-actor platforms to strengthen short food supply chains
Description
AgroBRIDGES is a European project designed to build bridges between producers and consumers by supporting short food supply chains through a digital toolbox and multi-actor platforms. The project provides practical knowledge, online tools and support for new business and marketing models that reduce intermediaries and strengthen direct and local sales.
Technology
AgroBRIDGES is based on a web-based toolbox of online decision-support tools, training modules and communication materials available in multiple languages. The Decision Support Tool uses structured farm data and background information to recommend suitable short food supply chain business models and sales channels, and offers digital spaces such as the “Hear my voice” ideas exchange, Smart Delivery and AgroBRIDGES Net, Label Me and We need Local Food, which function as interactive spaces where farmers, businesses and consumers can share needs, showcase local products, explore short supply chain options and link to collaboration or crowdfunding opportunities.
Target
The project primarily targets farmers and producers of different scales who want to enter or strengthen their participation in short food supply chains, as well as consumers and citizen groups who are interested in local food.
Business model
AgroBRIDGES operates as a grant-funded project under the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, with a total budget of around EUR 3 million. The digital tools, training materials, practice abstract and communication resources are freely accessible to users. The solution is designed so that after the project period, organizations can continue to host, adapt and build upon the toolbox and practices within their own programmes.
Impact
AgroBRIDGES aims to increase by 5–8 percent the share of EU farms involved in direct sales to consumers by supporting the adoption of short food supply chain business models. The project has developed 12 practical tools available in 12 languages and validated them in 12 European Beacon Regions, involved more than 400 farmers and agri-food stakeholders in 24 regional events, trained around 150 actors and produced 36 EIP-AGRI practice abstracts to support replication across 11 European countries.
Partners
CREA – Council for Agricultural Research and Economics; Food & Bio Cluster Denmark; Fruit Vegetables EUROPE; Fundacion Corporacion Tecnologica de Andalucia – CTA; Impact Hub Madrid; Munster Technological University; Q-PLAN INTERNATIONAL; Rezos Brands; Sabri Ulker Foundation; Sustainable Innovations Europe; TEAGASC – Agriculture and Food Development Authority; Unimos Foundation; VEGEPOLYS VALLEY; VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland; Wageningen University
Four Betters
Better nutrition
Better environment
Better life
