On 13 January 2026, a round table discussion was held at the headquarters of the Łukasiewicz Research Network – Poznań Institute of Technology within the framework of the Food4CE project, focusing on Alternative Food Networks (AFNs). The meeting brought together representatives of Academia, public administration and agri-food market organisations.
During the event, the results of AFNs analyses conducted in Poland and other partner countries were presented. In addition, the role of the PULS Innovation Hub and the Living Labs operating at the Poznań University of Life Sciences in supporting local producers was discussed. A key topic of the debate was the Regional Smart Specialisation Strategies (SSS), including digital specialisations, as instruments for strengthening AFNs through the development of cooperation platforms (the Matchmaking Platform and the Knowledge Transfer Platform), logistics solutions, and knowledge transfer mechanisms.
Participants discussed ways to link AFNs with the smart specialisations of the Greater Poland region and presented a proposal for a regional action plan. This plan includes, among other elements, digital cooperation tools, advisory services, logistics infrastructure, and mechanisms promoting local food. It was emphasised that integrating AFNs into the Regional Innovation Strategy could enable their systematic support in the next financial perspective.
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Links to the Food4CE platforms:
- Matchmaking Platform (MP): https://food4ce-mp.eu/pl/o-nas/platforma-matchmakingowa
- Knowledge Transfer Platform (KTP): https://www.openenlocc.net/food4ce/pl/