PLAN’EAT

EPHA brings a public health perspective to food systems transformation, making sure that research leads to policy change and better health outcomes. With strong experience in stakeholder engagement, EPHA helps connect scientific evidence with real-world impact.

The project runs for 4 years (2022–2026) and brings together 24 partners from 11 EU countries. It focuses on transdisciplinary research across social, political, economic, agricultural, nutritional, and health sciences — implemented through 9 Living Labs, a Policy Lab, and 5 pan-European Consultation and Working Groups. First results are already available in the PLAN’EAT Knowledge Centre and in the PLAN’EAT Press release. To read more about the project, visit PLAN’EAT official website.

EPHA’s role: Leading Living Labs and Running the Policy Lab

EPHA leads a work package on Living Labs creation, implementation and consultation, where it contributes to managing the implementation of the living lab approach to collect data, co-design interventions and test solutions. As part of this role, EPHA established and runs the Brussels Policy Lab, a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue on food systems transformation.

EPHA also contributes to:

• • • Mapping food environments in Europe
    • Analysing political, economic and commercial drivers affecting the European food system,
    • Examining the main negative food system-related health impacts,
    • Organising a Pan-European Food Policy Summit in Brussels.

In this project, EPHA has led several deiverables and milestones:

• • • Living Lab Toolbox (D5.1) – a practical guide for setting up and running Living Labs in the context of food system transformation
    • European Food Policy Council Roadmap (M9) – a strategic roadmap outlining how to institutionalise food policy collaboration at the EU level through a permanent council

Brussels Policy Lab

Led by EPHA, the Brussels Policy Lab brings together over 30 stakeholders to explore policy solutions for healthier, more sustainable food systems. It serves as a forum for dialogue between EU-level policymakers, civil society organisations, researchers, and industry representatives from sectors including plant-based foods, fertilisers, and retail.

Throughout the project, the Policy Lab has:

• • • Facilitated five expert focus groups to identify systemic drivers of Europe’s food system challenges and uncover leverage points for change (Task 2.2), in collaboration with KU Leuven and Wageningen University & Research
    • Co-organised two flagship events:
      • the EU Food Policy Summit
      • the Pan-European Food Policy Summit

These interventions are part of PLAN’EAT’s macro-level activities, contributing to the design of integrated, multi-level food policies.

Roadmap to a European Food Policy Council

Together with TMG Think Tank for Sustainability, EPHA is co-developing a roadmap to explore how a European Food Policy Council (EFPC) could be established.

The aim is to identify practical pathways to institutionalise food policy networks in the long term, by bringing the concerns of local food system actors, particularly vulnerable consumer groups, to the EU level. This work builds on the European Economic and Social Committee’s (EESC) opinion “Towards a European Food Policy Council”, and is guided by a mix of literature review, mapping, expert interviews, and stakeholder co-creation.

Key areas of focus include:

• • • Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of existing multi-stakeholder platforms (MSFs)
    • Identifying opportunities and barriers for the creation of an EFPC
    • Exploring conditions for meaningful engagement, such as actor composition, moderation, scientific advice, and institutional anchoring

Living Lab Toolbox

As one of the first project deliverables, EPHA led the development of the Living Lab Toolbox – a practical guide for setting up and running Living Labs focused on food system transformation.

The toolbox defines a joint methodology developed within PLAN’EAT and is designed to support the replication of this approach in other regions and projects.

It covers the essential elements involved in setting up a Living Lab, and meets the following key objectives:

• • • gather a group of relevant stakeholders;
    • run the Living Lab and interact with stakeholders;
    • guarantee stakeholder engagement;
    • to co-create, co-design, and test the solutions of the project.

The toolkit marks a significant step forward in participatory food systems research, combining structured guidance with adaptable frameworks to accommodate diverse local contexts. It is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing sustainable solutions and health-oriented food systems across Europe. Explore the interactive Living Lab Toolbox via the PLAN’EAT Knowledge Centre or download here.

Want to learn more about EPHA’s work on food systems and health?

Stay updated on our policy work, events and project insights by subscribing to our newsletter or getting in touch with Polina Sokolkina at polina.sokolkina@epha.org.