From Local Action to European Cooperation: Strengthening Sustainable Food Systems through External Collaboration Across Europe

Collaboration is at the heart of innovation — and for the Interreg Baltic Sea Region project KISMET, working together with other initiatives is key to achieving lasting change in how our regions produce, distribute, and consume food. 

Throughout the recent reporting period, KISMET partners have actively engaged with external projects, networks and initiatives that share the vision of sustainable and resilient food systems. These exchanges have not only deepened knowledge transfer and synergies across Europe but also supported the replication and upscaling of KISMET’s approaches in new contexts. 

During the partnership meeting in Vilnius in May 2025, KISMET partners exchanged experiences with representatives of the Interreg BSR project Distance LAB and the EU project SOULDFOOD, both of which presented their innovative approaches to sustainable regional development. The dialogue provided inspiration for further cross-project cooperation and knowledge sharing within the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. 

Shortly after, on 3 July, KISMET hosted another edition of its recurring online dialogue series “Coffee with KISMET”, this time exploring “How to set up a strong and sustainable food cluster.” This continuous outreach format has become a cornerstone of the project’s external engagement — a platform where municipalities, researchers and practitioners can exchange experiences, discuss challenges and co-create ideas for more circular and sustainable food systems. Building on its success, the next Coffee with KISMET will take place on 20 November, featuring the Co-SFSC project. Together, participants will share insights and practical experiences on strengthening sustainable food supply chains across Europe — furthering the exchange between initiatives working toward common goals.

Partner Activities Across Europe 

Across the consortium, KISMET partners have participated in a wide range of collaborative activities and exchanges:

• Södertälje Municipality presented the KISMET Enabling Programme at multiple events including the Annual Meeting of the Organic Farmers’ Association, Crises Preparedness Conference, and Rural Development Day. The establishment of the Bio-District Sörmland — a spin-off initiative rooted in KISMET’s work — marked a major milestone for regional cooperation. 

• Foodworks joined the Biomass2Food network, connecting with European actors in circular food systems, and organized the Green Food Festival as part of Hamburg’s city-wide Open Mouth Festival, engaging citizens and innovators from across Europe. 

• Vidzeme Planning Region contributed to the Chef Masterclass and the 2nd Forum of the Bioregion of Gauja National Park, strengthening the exchange of best practices for sustainable gastronomy. 

• BERAS International Foundation represented KISMET at several high-profile events, including BIOFACH 2024, IFOAM, and meetings with the EU Commission and Committee of the Regions. The foundation also supported the creation of emerging biodistricts in Ireland, Norway, and Finland, expanding KISMET’s outreach beyond the Baltic Sea Region. 

• Vejle Municipality and the Food Organisation of Denmark continued successful local initiatives such as Young Food Talents and Food as Driver, both recognised as best practices for linking education, innovation and sustainability. 
• Prizztech engaged in exchange with the SISU project in Finland, exploring shared approaches to climate adaptation and food waste reduction in municipalities. 

Through these ongoing interactions, KISMET not only strengthens its own outcomes but also contributes to a growing European network of actors working toward sustainable food systems. This web of collaboration – spanning from local food networks to European projects – demonstrates how shared knowledge and partnerships can accelerate systemic transformation in the Baltic Sea Region and beyond. 

Stay Connected

Stay informed about KISMET’s progress and explore our growing collection of tools, insights, and examples on the KISMET project website and the Enabling Platform. There, you can discover first-hand what the partnership has achieved and gain access to a diverse pool of practices supporting sustainable food systems.
We also encourage you to connect with the external partners and initiatives mentioned above to learn more about their ongoing work and collaborative efforts toward a greener, more resilient future.

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