As phase1 of the PROSPERA project is slowly coming to an end, the final event took place between the 11th and 12th of May in Ghent, Belgium.
On the first day, Tine Heyse Alderman of Environment, Climate, Living and International Solidarity of Ghent welcomed the partners. The welcoming words were followed by the presentation by Carlotta Bonvicini Deputy Mayor for Sustainability of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia. She talked about how cities can innovate local policies for the sustainable development of peri-urban areas. The second presenter was Anna Verhoeve Researcher from ILVO. She spoke about the PROSPERA methodological toolkit realized by ILVO and CRPA. Between the presentations, participants could watch the partners’ storytelling videos.
Stéphanie van Lancker from the City of Ghent presented on the Ghent artisan entrepreneurs who make unique products using local ingredients, inspired by cultural heritage. Finally, Valerià Paül Teacher at the University of Santiago de Compostela gave a lecture on the peri-urban farmland and the development of alternative food networks and agricultural parks. Every speech was followed by a Q&A session.
In the afternoon, PROSPERA partners and stakeholders visited one of the Green climate axes, the green area Gentbrugse Meersen and the grazing project by bicycle. During the trip, Eva Naessens from the City of Ghent explained these good practices of Ghent.
In the morning session of the second day, partners discussed the themes they had highlighted as important in connection to the project. The session was moderated by ILVO. After the discussion participants transferred to Afsnee by boat. They visited Afsneekouter, an agricultural area in Afsnee, which is located in the peri-urban area of Ghent. Eva Naessens gave an explanation on the food strategy of Ghent, the open call, CSA (Community supported agriculture) Goedinge and cooperation with a local dairy farm.
After the field visit, the partners held a project management meeting, discussing the further tasks of phase1, the process and tasks of phase2 and the communication activities. The final video scribing was also shared with the partners.
The final event in Ghent was a good opportunity for the partners and their stakeholders to meet again in person, share their ideas and thoughts and get inspired by the good practices of Ghent.
By the end of phase1 (31/07/2022), PROSPERA partners will have preapared their local action plans.
In phase2, partners are going to focus on the implementation of their action plans.
