Today marks the formal inauguration of a new €2.2 million project aimed at encouraging Europeans to cultivate, deliver, and consume more plant-based food.
ProVeg International’s two national offices will be crucial to how the money is used.
A component of the EU’s Food Impact Funding Framework is the Innovative Strategies to Accelerate Adoption and Consumption of Plant-Based Food (ISAAP), which is run by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT).
Partners from Portugal, Czechia, and Denmark are involved in the project, which will span from September 2025 to August 2027.
Building on Denmark’s National Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, the initiative intends to increase Europe’s food resilience and promote healthier, more sustainable food systems by replicating and expanding comparable efforts in other EU nations.
In Portugal, ProVeg Portugal will be closely involved in stakeholder engagement, working alongside farmer organisations such as the Portuguese farmers confederation Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal (CAP), and CERPRO, a producers organisation.
Together with the Universidade Católica Portuguesa (UCP), they will also support the development of innovative legume-based products, building stronger connections between agriculture, research, and industry.
“Supporting Portuguese farmers to grow more legumes and connecting them with research and industry partners is a cornerstone of this project. Together with CAP, CERPRO, and UCP, we aim to strengthen local food systems and show how collaboration can drive real impact,” Joana Oliveira, country director of ProVeg Portugal, said.
“ISAAP gives us the chance to contribute to Portugal’s future food strategy while learning from our European partners. By engaging decisionmakers and working closely with farmers and researchers, we can create solutions that are sustainable, resilient, enhance food security and are beneficial for everyone,” she said.
ProVeg Czechia will focus on increasing access to plant-based meals in the food service sector. Together with Catering Zdravě and other partners, the team will support the development of new plant-based dishes, share expertise across the catering sector, and help expand the New Food Forum, a key industry event.
“Our work in Czechia is about creating more opportunities for plant-based meals in partnership with caterers, policymakers, and innovators. The ISAAP consortium allows us to learn from others, share best practices, and together make sustainable food choices more accessible to everyone,” Martin Ranninger, ProVeg Czechia’s country co-director, said.
“The transition to a sustainable food system can only succeed if industry, farmers, policymakers, and civil society work hand in hand. Through ISAAP, ProVeg Czechia is proud to collaborate with diverse partners to expand plant-based options and support positive change for both people and the planet,” he added.
ISAAP’s strength lies in the diversity of its consortium, which combines expertise from farmers, researchers, caterers, NGOs, and associations.
ProVeg’s involvement complements and supports the crucial roles played by partners in developing practical solutions — from cultivating legumes and innovating new products to engaging healthcare professionals and shaping national policies.
“ISAAP represents a joint effort to make plant-based foods more accessible, appealing, and sustainable across Europe,” Jasmijn de Boo, global CEO of ProVeg International, said. “We are proud to collaborate with partners in creating real change that benefits farmers, industry, and consumers alike,” de Boo added.
By working together, the ISAAP partners contribute to broader EU objectives, while also aligning with EIT Food’s three missions: building a Net Zero food system, supporting healthier lives through food, and creating a fairer, more resilient food system.
