Food is a basic human right and a fundamental component of human dignity. But as the COVID-19 pandemic and recent geopolitical tensions have shown, food insecurity isn’t just a problem for vulnerable countries in the Global South - it can also affect more developed regions like the European Union (EU).
In light of this, the FOSTER project looks at how the EU works to ensure food security for everyone, both within Europe and through its international cooperation efforts. Building on the University of Parma’s existing work in the food sector, the Project aims to create a new Interdisciplinary Laboratory on Food Security, focused on research, teaching, and public engagement around food security issues.
FOSTER is led by the Center for Studies in European and International Affairs (CSEIA), an inter-departmental research center set up in 2016 at the University of Parma. The team includes internationally respected senior researchers who have long worked on food-related topics, along with academic partners from Europe and Africa.
A key part of the Project is the launch of an interdisciplinary Laboratory, which brings together early-career researchers already working at UNIPR and gradually expands to include new key academic partners, as well as stakeholders, policymakers, and the wider public. The Project’s approach blends strong academic expertise with a flexible, collaborative, and cross-cutting perspective.
