Located in Central Portugal, the Municipality of Fundão is a dynamic rural territory that blends tradition with innovation. Nestled between the Serra da Gardunha and the Zêzere Valley, Fundão is renowned for its high-quality agricultural products, such as cherries, olive oil, and wine, while also fostering a strong ecosystem of digital innovation and entrepreneurship. With a long-standing agricultural heritage, the municipality has embraced new economic opportunities by investing in technology, education, and business infrastructure, attracting startups and companies that contribute to its economic transformation. Through strategic initiatives, Fundão is reinforcing its role as a rural innovation hub, where sustainability, digitalisation, and local resources come together to shape the future of rural communities.

As the coordinator of the FoodCoP project, the Municipality of Fundão ensures the project’s effective implementation and strategic impact. With expertise in territorial innovation and ecosystem development, Fundão leads the project’s coordination, strategic oversight, and stakeholder engagement. The municipality will support the creation of a collaborative framework for startup villages, contributing to innovative models for circular food systems and fostering knowledge exchange through its regional and international networks.

The University of Gloucestershire’s Countryside and Community Research Institute is the largest specialist rural research centre in the UK, working at the interface of agriculture, society and the environment. Recognised as “an internationally excellent Research Institute” (REF, 2021), the CCRI conducts and publishes world-class, agenda-setting research to influence policy actors, practitioners and decision-makers at all levels, from local to global, and provide a strong evidence base to enable sustainability and resilience.

The University of Gloucestershire leads Work Package 3 (WP3), focusing on developing a conceptual framework, stakeholder engagement plan, and best practice analysis. UoG will foster collaboration among project partners and provide strategic guidance to ensure the successful delivery of the recommended actions.

The Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) operates under the Athena Research Center. SDU is Scientifically directed by Prof. Phoebe Koundouri. SDU engages in cutting-edge research to enable the transition to resilience and sustainability, through the implementation of UN Agenda 2030 (17 SDGs), the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal. The Unit focuses on interdisciplinary systems research and the delivery of innovative solutions for the transition to a green, digital, job-based and fair future. The work on its large interdisciplinary team focuses on the inter-dependencies between research and innovation, the economy, the society, the environment, policy-making and politics. The thematic priorities of the Unit are namely:

Athena RC is responsible for assessing best practices (Task 3.3) and evaluating the impact of the FoodCoP project (Tasks 8.3 and 9.3). Athena RC will conduct an in-depth review of successful models from Startup Villages, extract key insights, and provide actionable feedback to enhance project outcomes.

Climate KIC is Europe’s leading climate innovation agency and community, supporting cities, regions, countries and industries to meet their climate ambitions through systems innovation and place-based transformations. Together with our partners across the globe, we implement. We open pathways to shift mindsets and behaviours, and enable decision makers and investors to act. We orchestrate large-scale demonstrations that show what is possible when cycles of innovation and learning are deliberately designed to trigger exponential decarbonisation and build resilient communities.

Climate KIC serves as the Scientific Coordinator of FoodCoP, leading WP5 (Community Building and Mobilisation) and WP7 (Training and Capacity Building). It will organise sensemaking workshops, Climathons, and training programmes to empower Startup Villages and stakeholders, driving knowledge exchange and promoting circular bioeconomy solutions.

The Food+i Cluster is a private business organization that promotes collaboration among entities related to the agri-food sector in the Ebro Valley, providing them with resources to boost their corporate innovation.

The Ebro Valley is the main Food Production HUB in Spain, with 25% of the companies, accounting for 36% of the sector’s total revenue (45.369 billion euros) and 33% of the total jobs (143,429 jobs). It’s a leading space in Europe that will shape the present and future of the industry.

FOOD+i incorporates a network of leading European technology partners, which enables its companies to have a research-oriented perspective focused on anticipation and the development of market-oriented solutions, and works intensively within the European environment, participating in the main business platforms in the fields of digitization, innovation, and the bioeconomy, where activities and projects of interest to its partners are analyzed.

As the Dissemination and Communication leader of FoodCoP, FOOD+i’s mission is to promote and give visibility to the project, while spreading knowledge and raising awareness. By making results openly available, FOOD+i strives to maximise the project’s impact across Europe.

SERN (Startup Europe Regional Network) is a collaborative network that brings together key players from startup ecosystems across Europe. Its goal is to promote the exchange of best practices, knowledge, methodologies, and data among different regions, thereby facilitating mutual learning and innovation in the field of entrepreneurship. Through its platform, SERN connects policymakers, entrepreneurs, and ecosystem facilitators, contributing to the development of more competitive and dynamic environments for startup creation and growth.

SERN leads Task 6.3, focusing on gathering lessons learned and turning them into policy recommendations. SERN will organise two online workshops to collect feedback from participants and prepare a policy brief to inform European decision-makers on sustainable food systems.

Venture Factory is a purpose-driven business design and ecosystem builder organization, helping ambitious founders and companies launch new ventures. We provide expert advice, fresh perspectives, and valuable connections, specializing in strategy development, business design, and ecosystem collaboration. Leveraging over 20 years of experience, we utilize our extensive networks from the Podim conference and Start:up Slovenia to ensure success.

Venture Factory leads mentorship programmes to strengthen the capacity of startup villages and participants. It will facilitate knowledge exchange through a collaborative FAQ database and nominate ambassadors to promote sustainable food systems and circular bioeconomy practices.

Enco Srl is a consulting company based in Italy, specializing in research and innovation (R&I). Established in 1987, the company provides high-level consulting services to support businesses with managing, communicating, exploiting, and developing R&I projects.

ENCO leads the development of the FoodCoP platform (WP4), providing a single-entry point for knowledge exchange and stakeholder engagement. It will support local and regional authorities, entrepreneurs, and rural cooperatives in enhancing cooperation and implementing innovative solutions.

The RDI Hub in Killorglin is an award-winning, sustainable, world-class, custom-built, centre of excellence which fosters entrepreneurship and business growth. This €24 million investment, led by Fexco, Kerry County Council, Munster Technological University and Enterprise Ireland has positioned Kerry as a globally connected innovation hotspot. The RDI Hub provides state-of-the-art facilities and a network of mentors, investors, and researchers, creating an environment for scaling businesses and fostering collaboration leading to the creation of over 250 high-skilled jobs and supported the development of 29 new products and services.

We bring together corporates, SMEs and start ups to innovate and scale for the future. RDI Hub’s vision of the Southwest is one of the world’s best places to start and grow global technology companies. Our mission is to foster connections between entrepreneurs and innovators to accelerate business growth.

As a recognised Startup Village, RDI Hub contributes to the FoodCoP project by facilitating stakeholder engagement and supporting innovation in rural communities. It will organise events, such as hackathons and accelerators, to promote sustainable food systems and circular bioeconomy practices.

Podjetniški inkubator Kočevje (Business Incubator Kočevje) is a public local development institution, established in 2008 by the Municipality of Kočevje, Slovenia, that helps foster entrepreneurship and helps startups with their services and the pool of experts and mentors. It also facilitates educational activities and organises the distribution of knowledge for the general public in the incubator’s Makerspace, where people can learn and test-drive newest technologies.

Kočevje Business Incubator supports development of business modules, production of prototypes and enabling local people to acquire specific skills, such as technical as well as commercial skills. Teaching the basics of robotics and coding in schools (to teachers and students) is now becoming more and more important part of the educational part of the incubator.

We actively support the establishment of a wood processing value chain, fostering sustainable development and local economic growth. As a co-founder of the Zakladi Kočevske cooperative, we are committed to promoting regional resources and community-driven initiatives. Aligned with the principles of the circular economy, we develop and implement programs and projects that encourage sustainable practices, resource efficiency, and waste reduction. We are dedicated to integrating local forestry with responsible production and consumption cycles. Through these efforts, we contribute to a greener future while strengthening the local economy.

PI Kočevje supports rural business incubators and fosters entrepreneurship within the Startup Village ecosystem. It will create physical spaces for training, workshops, and networking events, strengthening rural economies and promoting innovation.

Meraki People was founded in 2018 by Christiana Gardikiotis, aiming to create the first bioeconomy pilot village in Parnonas North Kynouria, Arcadia. At the local level, the strong preference of young people to work in big cities and the difficulty of young couples to create families, leads to the desertification of smaller towns and villages and to the increase of the national and at the same time the local demographic problem. Globally, the consequences of the climate crisis are increasing, as well as the great need for food.

Meraki People are implementing a circular bioeconomy to produce biomaterials and environmentally friendly products in a bio-fabrication lab, collaborating with specialized scientists, NGOs, and local farmers. This initiative not only increases the village’s income but also provides jobs for young people and teaches them about the production of new circular bioeconomy products.

Meraki People has developed a business model consisting of three parts: an educational program analyzing circular bioeconomy and environmental factors, a pilot village for customers to participate in production and live in, and a showroom for companies to display circular bioeconomy products. Meraki People will receive a small percentage of the revenue from the products displayed.

Meraki People brings expertise in bioeconomy and sustainable practices to the project. It will share knowledge through global networks, organise dialogues with local communities, and promote circular bioeconomy products to enhance rural sustainability.

Câmara de Lobos is a municipality located in the southern part of the island of Madeira, situated in the Atlantic, southwest of Portugal at a distance of approximately 1000 km. One of its focuses is the deepening of its Local Action Plan for the Circular Economy to create a sustainable and dynamic ecosystem, promoting innovation and rural entrepreneurship, in line with various European initiatives, such as FoodCoP, which focuses on circular bioeconomy and food sustainability.

The main objectives include:

Promotion of Rural Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Creation of an agricultural incubator to support startups and businesses in the agri-food sector, promoting new sustainable agricultural practices.

Efficient Waste Management: Implementation of a composting center for the reuse of organic waste, reducing waste and encouraging regenerative agricultural production.

Promotion of Local Consumption and Food Circularity: Establishment of short distribution circuits for local products, benefiting social institutions, schools and the hotel sector.

Community Training and Awareness: Training of farmers, entrepreneurs and the school community for the adoption of circular bioeconomy practices, ensuring greater integration between urban and rural areas.

Câmara de Lobos plays a key role in identifying and promoting innovative practices and solutions. It contributes to the development of the FoodCoP platform by sharing insights and supporting knowledge exchange. Through collaborative events and stakeholder engagement, Câmara de Lobos helps strengthen the rural innovation ecosystem.

Bragança is a city in northern Portugal, located in the Terras de Trás-os-Montes region, an is the largest sub-region in northern Portugal, with 50% of its territory in the Montesinho Natural Park.

Known for its high-quality agricultural products, such as chestnuts, olive oil, almonds, wine, and cured meats, Bragança is also cultivating a growing environment for digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

With strong agricultural roots, the city is investing in technology, education, and business development, attracting startups and companies. Its development strategy focuses on supporting strategic sectors, enhancing the region, and fostering an Ecocity culture based on citizenship, education, and training. Bragança prioritizes sustainable mobility, energy efficiency, and the integration of new technologies in historic centers and commerce.

Through an innovative project, Bragança took part in the first municipal assessment of Ecological Footprint and Biocapacity, alongside five other municipalities. Preliminary results show Bragança’s Biocapacity is 110% higher than the national average, largely due to its environmental sustainability policies.

The Municipality of Bragança serves as an observer city, focusing on acquiring knowledge about sustainable food systems and bioeconomy practices. Bragança will apply these insights to strengthen rural ecosystems and promote sustainable development.

The Municipality of Penela is a small territory of approximately 135 km2, where the area of forest occupies most of the territory, located in the Central Region of Portugal (NUT II) within the subregion Pinhal Interior Norte (NUTS III).

Regarding to the urban region, Penela is near from the city of Coimbra, establishing strong regional and natural ties with a wide range of services and activities. At the subregional level, Penela belongs to «Terras de Sicó – Local Development Association (integrated with the Municipality of Pombal, Soure, Alvaiázere, Ansião and Condeixa-a-Nova) where resists a greater tradition of cooperation.

«A County with the following demographic characteristics: about 5,400 people, 40% of assets, with low education level of its population, low levels of entrepreneurial ability and aging above the national average should cause one of two feelings: either give up and let the time run or take advantage of the best we have and start a walk where only will be worth use words like DARE, RISK, ACT and nonconformity and daring attitudes, against the spirit of accommodation or criticism.»

The Municipality of Penela will identify best practices and innovative ideas to share on the FoodCoP platform. It will participate in events and workshops to foster networking and collaboration,