In the second phase of PROSPERA project, the Municipality of Reggio Emilia managed to update and influence the chose policy instrument – the Municipal Unique Planning Document – according to the results of the project.
The Unique Policy Document (DUP) is in fact the most important planning tool of the Municipality, as it represents the strategic framework for all policies and initiatives carried out by the local administration. The PROSPERA project managed to influence the DUP’s strategic line n. 3, named “The City of Ecological Transition”, by adding the Food Policy Council among the strategic actions to support the transition towards a more sustainable food system.
In SEM7, an internal workshop on the Food Policy Council was held, by gathering representatives from several services of the Municipality, CRPA and E35 Foundation. The workshop was aimed at planning the Food Policy Council guidelines, including the operational criteria for its setting up as well as the next steps to be taken. In this sense, a mapping of the key stakeholders was realized and bilateral meetings were held with the Local Health Agency, CIR, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Mondinsieme Foundation, National Park of Tosco-Emilian Appennine, Biodistretto and Caritas for social inclusion to present the results of PROSPERA and the main objectives of the local action plan.
PROSPERA local action plan as well as the first ideas for the creation of the Food Policy Council were also presented to the Executive Committee of the Municipality of Reggio Emilia, which agreed on the priorities identified and expressed the interest in participating in the mapping of existing experiences and practices connected to food. Between May and June 2023, a series of meetings were organized with several Deputy Mayors, with the aim of mapping and collecting actions, strategies and experiences linked to food. The meetings underlined also interesting insights to better understand the strategic direction of the FPC: in particular, it was highlighted the importance linking food issues with the social and community dimension, as a tool for inclusion, equality and social cohesion.
The PROSPERA group also worked to the definition of a set of indicators for a data observatory to support the DUP policy goals related to the issues of peri-urban development and food systems. A first proposal of indicators was drafted, by working in particular on adapting and localizing the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP)’s and FAO’s indicators. A technical event is being organized in September 2023 to share the proposal for the data observatory and the Food Policy Council with key stakeholders.
Want to read the full action plan? You can find it in the Library.
