DOMAS

Programme: Erasmus+, Key Action 2 – Partnerships for Cooperation
Project acronym: CIRCFOOD
Project reference: 2025-1-PT02-KA220-YOU-000364028
Project duration: 1 September 2025 – 30 June 2027
Grant amount: €250,000
Funded by: Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union through the Portuguese National Agency

Summary:

Food waste is an environmental, economic and social challenge. Large quantities of food are lost or discarded across the food supply chain, while the production, transport and disposal of food consume natural resources and contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions. At the same time, many young people are concerned about climate change and sustainability but do not always have practical opportunities to turn that concern into everyday action.

CIRCFOOD responds to this challenge by bringing circular-economy principles into youth work and non-formal education. Instead of treating unused food and other resources simply as waste, the circular approach focuses on prevention, reduction, reuse, recovery and the creation of new value. The project will help young people understand how their choices connect with wider food systems and how local initiatives can contribute to more sustainable communities.

Partners from Portugal, Serbia, Estonia, Germany and Croatia will combine research, educational resource development, digital learning and capacity-building activities. The project will produce practical materials that youth workers and educators can use to address food waste, responsible consumption, food insecurity and the carbon footprint of food in an accessible and participatory way.

Through learning activities, online resources, local initiatives and awareness-raising, CIRCFOOD aims to strengthen the role of young people as active contributors to more sustainable and resilient food systems.