FEED4FOOD: Living Labs (LLs) aiming for urban food security

Title : FEED4FOOD: Living Labs (LLs) aiming for urban food security

Abstract:

The FEED4FOOD project advances a transformative model for urban food security by establishing and enhancing Living Labs (LLs) across diverse socio economic and environmental contexts in three countries that are Greece (Drama), Cyprus (Strovolos) and Romania (Bucharest). Central to the initiative is the empowerment of minority groups (e.g. women) via their participation in community driven urban gardening. The project leverages LLs as experimental, inclusive environments where innovative cultivation techniques, social engagement and sustainable practices converge to strengthen urban food systems.

A key illustration of FEED4FOOD’s approach for Greece is the Drama LL, which spans 12 acres and includes 80 individual gardens of approximately 100–110 m². Targeting vulnerable groups that include women, migrants and dropped out youth, the LL focuses on profitable and low input vegetable cultivation, water use monitoring, organic production, waste reuse strategies, and market linkages with local distributors. Complementary objectives include capacity building, knowledge transfer and hands on training for sustainable urban gardening. Ultimately, FEED4FOOD’s Living Labs foster resilient, inclusive and environmentally sound urban food systems that strengthen long term food security in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Keywords: Biodiversity, Conservation, Minority groups, Sustainability, Urban gardening

Biography:

Dr. Valasia Iakovoglou is a distinct graduate of Iowa State University, USA. She has more than 25-yrs of national/international research and teaching experience as an Ecophysiologist/Silviculture expert in seedling production and Restoration/Conservation of Ecosystems with emphasis on Biodiversity under the challenges of Climate Change. She has received numerous scholarships, awards and recognitions. She is an editor of more than ten international journals and a reviewer in more than fifteen, as well as a reviewer at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). She has more than 100 publications (books/book chapters, peer-reviewed scientific articles) and more than 20 international projects. She is active in many scientific societies such as the Mediterranean Experts of Climate and environmental Change (MedECC) and the International Network of Bioresource Management (INBM). She holds leading positions such as: Director of Ecotourism Sector of the UNESCO chair Con-E-Ect; Executive Board of Directors of Climate Smart Agriculture Youth Network Global (GCSAYN) in Africa; “General Secretary” of associations such as the “Association of Inter-Balkan Woman’s Cooperation Societies (AIWCS)” of UNESCO Center for the peace in the Balkan area; International Council of World Tourism Forum Institute; Country Chair of Greece of the G100 Women of the World serving as for Farming and AgriTourism