Have you ever wanted to be part of an initiative that promotes food security, social inclusion, and community empowerment?
Davide from Cooperativa Ciauli had the opportunity to live this unique experience during the first EU Food Security Hub training, which took place from July 1st to 4th, 2024 in El Prat De Llobregat (Spain). His testimony not only provides an authentic look at the experience, but also extends an invitation to all individuals who share the same passion to join this extraordinary initiative.
On 2nd and 3rd July I visited El Prat de Llobregat, a city near Barcelona, when I found myself participating in the activities organised by EU Food Security Hub, during a training that involved different organizations including LAND, which invited us, and the Ciauli Cooperative, of which I am a member.
During two days full of ideas and connections, I was able to visit some local realities that carry out good practices in the local territory.
What I have experienced is a real ‘Xarxa’, a ‘network’ in Catalan, of security that supports a part of the community of El Prat; a varied system that, starting from food production, through processing and sale, goes all the way to education, awareness and political commitment of different actors.
The relationship of trust and collaboration between ABD, La Botiga, with Espigoladors and the farmers of the El Prat district is a beautiful example of virtuous relationships.
We had the opportunity to share some of the daily ‘struggles’ that similar realities face even if they work in different contexts, while we learned new possible solutions and alternatives. It is so nice to return to work with new energies and these new perspectives.
The other side of our days involved participating in training sessions in different fields, which has played a fundamental role for my work, as in deeping the meaning of the term “food security“, which is complex and embraces many nuances of our commitment as a cooperative.
Learning about institutional frameworks, precisely delimiting the meaning of some terms related to the world of food, is necessary in order to create synergies and collaborate with other realities, not only within Sicily, where our land and our community are located, but also in the rest of Italy and Europe.
In summary, I come back to Italy with new and interesting tools that I will be able to use in trying to improve my cooperative and my role in the food security system. The difference between food waste and food loss, for example, and the possibilities for action in these areas are two lessons that have truly marked me and that I will try to incorporate daily in my work.
Finally, the hospitality and the quality of the food were two of the things that put the icing on the cake in this experience!
Listening to the stories behind the food in front of us, the efforts and satisfactions of those who offer us that food, is one of the best activities that can be proposed within a project that concerns the world of food and social inclusion in all its forms.
Davide, Ciauli Cooperative
If you enjoyed and were inspired by Davide’s story, know that you will have the opportunity to participate in a similar experience.
The next training organised by EU Food Security Hub will be held in Palermo on 17th and 18th September and we are looking for new participants!
Below you will find all the requirements.
Don’t miss the opportunity to join us and discover new practices and solutions in the field of food safety!
Requirements
We are looking for people involved in initiatives that promote food security, social inclusion and community empowerment.
Knowledge of the English language is required, as all activities will be carried out entirely in English.
If you are one of these people, apply now! Number of places limited!
If you would like to participate, please contact us at alejandra.infantevelado@impresasocialeland.org
For more information about the project: https://impresasocialeland.org/project/eufoodsecurityhub/
EU Food Security HUB website and social media: https://eufoodsecurityhub.org/project/ , Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eufoodsecurityhub/
The EU Food Security Hub project, funded by the Erasmus+ program, is running from January 2023 and June 2025, in collaboration with: IASIS (Greece); LAND Impresa sociale (Italy); Estrategies de Qualitat Urbana (Spain); ACRA (Italy); Reseau International Urgenci (France).
For further information, please visit eufoodsecurityhub.org/ or read the project fact sheet.