International Conference in Padua: Three Days on Food Waste Reduction and Sustainable Food Systems
31/03/2026
The international conference “ECOFOODCYCLE: Reducing Food Waste and its Environmental Footprint through Sustainable Food Systems” successfully concluded with strong participation. The event was dedicated to food waste reduction, environmental sustainability, and the development of sustainable food systems.
The initiative brought together project partners, institutions, universities, and stakeholders in Padua, providing an important opportunity to discuss strategies for reducing the environmental impact of the agri-food sector, with a specific focus on CO₂ measurement and the circular economy.
Day 1: collaborative activities and stakeholder engagement
The first day, hosted at the IRP - Pediatric Research Institute “Città della Speranza”, focused on active engagement of partners and stakeholders through collaborative activities and discussion sessions.
The morning was dedicated to sharing experiences, best practices, and innovative approaches to tackling food waste, while the afternoon included site visits and thematic meetings, fostering direct dialogue among project actors.
Day 2: institutions, research, and tools for the green transition
The second day, held at Palazzo Moroni - Anziani Hall (City of Padua), involved institutional representatives, academic experts, and technical stakeholders.
After the institutional greetings by Michele Milan (EcamRicert a Mérieux NutriSciences), Margherita Cera (City of Padua), and Rita Bertocco (Head of the Unit for Territorial Cooperation and European Macro-Strategies, Veneto Region), the ECOFOODCYCLE IT-HR project was presented by Antonija Bišćan and Maria Valentina Vanceo.
The first part of the morning was dedicated to the experience of the Luzzati Primary School, where the children played a leading role by presenting their activities within the project, what they learned about food waste reduction, and even performing a song they created specifically for the occasion, making them active protagonists of the day.
Special attention was given to pilot actions on the ground, highlighting the importance of raising awareness among younger generations about food waste reduction.
Key topics related to environmental sustainability were addressed, including CO₂ measurement, the implementation of the SECAP (Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan), public funding schemes, and the DNSH (Do No Significant Harm) principle. ECOFOODCYCLE is confirmed as a concrete model for analyzing and implementing sustainable solutions in the agri-food sector.
In the afternoon, participants split between a visit to the Chamber of Commerce of Padua and a partner meeting focused on project monitoring and progress discussion.
Day 3: synergies, circular economy, and project development
The third day strengthened collaboration among partners through networking and operational discussions.
Activities included a Workshop on Industrial Symbiosis, focused on circular economy models and business collaboration, and the Steering Committee Meeting, dedicated to project governance and the definition of next steps.
The day also featured an in-depth visit to the laboratories of the Pediatric Research Institute - Fondazione Città della Speranza, promoting dialogue between scientific research and practical applications.
ECOFOODCYCLE: a project to reduce food waste
The three-day event represented a strategic moment of exchange between public and private stakeholders, reinforcing the role of the ECOFOODCYCLE project in promoting food waste reduction, the green transition, the development of sustainable food systems, and the adoption of circular economy models.
A sincere thank you goes to all partners and stakeholders who actively participated in the event, contributing with ideas, expertise, and collaboration to its success.
