Cities face growing challenges in providing everyone with access to healthy, affordable, and sustainable food while also responding to climate change, social inequalities, and increasing pressure on natural resources. Although cities consume most of the world’s food, they also have the potential to become active places where food is produced, shared, learned about, and enjoyed.

UrbanFood brings together cities, researchers, local organisations, businesses, and citizens to explore new ways of building healthier and more resilient urban food systems. Through a network of Urban Food Living Labs across Europe, the project will test practical solutions adapted to local needs. These include innovative urban cultivation systems, community-led food initiatives, educational programmes, digital tools, and new approaches that encourage healthier and more sustainable food choices.

Rather than testing solutions in isolation, UrbanFood works directly with local communities to co-create, improve, and evaluate them in real-life settings. The knowledge gained in one city will be shared across the network, allowing successful approaches to be adapted and replicated elsewhere.

By combining innovation with community participation, UrbanFood aims to help cities become more resilient, strengthen local food systems, support healthier lifestyles, and provide practical solutions that can inspire urban communities across Europe.

Seven Rural-Urban Co-Creation Labs in diverse geographic and socio-cultural contexts will be equipped with social and technological innovations supporting further visualization, realization, and experimentation to highlight the social connectivity and innovation aspect of RURBANIVE, bringing together various Social Sciences and Humanities fields in an inclusive and accessible setup.