ZERO_WASTE – Awareness for reduction of food waste Erasmus Project

Project Title

ZERO_WASTE – Awareness for reduction of food waste

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for adult education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Social/environmental responsibility of educational institutions; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

ZERO_WASTE is a project whose main objective is to promote the social inclusion of the rural areas in the field of education with content related to reducing food waste. As well as to improve the professional development of teachers by creating educational gamification tool with scientific content.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), approximately one-third of global food production for human consumption around the world is either lost or wasted each year, this is the equivalent of 1.3 million tonnes of food. In the European Union (EU), it is estimated that food waste is around 89 million tonnes, which represents 20% of food produced in the EU, and with and associated cost estimated at 143 billion euros. This situation is ironic in a world where more than 800 million people suffer from malnutrition and approximately 36 million people in Europe cannot afford a quality meal every second day.

Reducing food waste by half is one of the commitments made by the member countries of the United Nations (UN) in 2015, following the approval of the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development in order to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development. Specifically, the Sustainable Development Goal number 12 regarding responsible production and consumption includes the target 12.3 “By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce foodlosses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses”.
But the fight against food waste is a shared responsibility of society as a whole. On an individual level, the consumer, as the final recipient of food, must also contribute to this end, andit is essential that citizens are aware of the social and environmental implications of each of the decisions they make when they purchase and consumption, change their attitudes and acquire responsible consumption habits. It is important do not forget the importance of this stage in the food chain, since is in household where the highest percentage of waste is produced (42%)

Committed to the problem, ZERO_WASTE born from a consortium of 6 members from 4 countries (Spain, Ireland, Portugal and Romania) that have decided to jointly address actions through education, as the way to contribute in tackling the problem of food waste and focusing on 3 main items:
– Rural areas: addressed at rural areas, this project intend to contribute to break gap between rural and cities areas, opportunities for access knowledge
– Adult education: adult seeks the immediate application of new knowledge, without the intention of storing information for eventual or later use – Didactic training tools based on gamification and intended to use evidence-based inquiry methodologies as a starting point to foster critical thinking.

To achieve this main objective it will be set up through the following strategic objectives:
– Promote the social inclusion of the rural areas in the field of education using the scientific knowledge as a way to promote interest in the food system through the creation ofalternative itineraries to improve capacities
– Reinforces support for adult teachers and the acquisition and development of basic skills and key competences in students through a digital platform with content about food waste reduction
– Develop creatively and appropriately the instruments created in the methodology for this purpose.
– Create a scientific content on food waste
– Building a collaborative network from local, regional, national and European stakeholders an attitude of commitment related to food waste reduction.
– Raise awareness on food waste through reliable information, increase the scientific, technological and innovative culture with the creation of an open food waste digital toolkit

As in the process, ZERO_WASTE will develop 3 intellectual outputs: a training methodology, a digital toolkit and role playing games and a Good Practice Guide.
The main target group will be met through adult education in rural areas, although others are also considered, and will be allowed to benefit from the contents and toolkit developed in this project: organizations such as farmer associations, business associations, MSE, NGO, consumer associations, parent associations, school canteen, fathers and mothers’ schools in agri-food

In the framework of the project 12 adult teacher will be directly involved in the blended training activities, and it is expected the participation of at least 3 rural school per area, with the implication of teachers that will put in practice the tools offered. In addition, at least 10 associations or organizations interested in this topic are expected to participate sharing the information about the platform and participate in “School of families”. This will have a direct impact on at least 100 families. an open tool platform will be created that can be accessed by anyone interested in the topic.

Project Website

https://www.euzerowaste.com/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 214204 Eur

Project Coordinator

ESCIENCIA EVENTOS CIENTIFICOS SL & Country: ES

Project Partners

• Fundatia Centrul Educational Spektrum
• Sustanaible Innovation Technology Services Ltd
• Federacion Aragonesa de Municipios Comarcas y Provincias
• UNIVERSIDAD DE ZARAGOZA
• Previform – Laboratório, Formação, Higiene e Segurança do Trabalho, Lda