The FOCUSE project partners

The Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) provides expertise in the mapping, design, and assessment of food production systems for CRFSs. IVL will work closely with all partners to gain insights from experiments and research conducted within FOCUSE. IVL is also largely responsible for the wider dissemination of results collected throughout the project’s duration. For example, student competitions, exhibitions, and workshops will be set up over the project’s timeframe. IVL will additionally oversee three modular growing systems that will be utilised for research, educational, and experimental purposes.

University of Bologna, Italy

The University of Bologna (UniBo) contributes to the FOCUSE project by providing access to urban agriculture spaces such as “Le Serre” and “Salus Space,” where experimental research and community-based trials are conducted. These spaces, equipped with aquaponics, community gardens, and urban food production units, enable UniBo to explore diverse technological and social models of urban agriculture and circular food systems. Through this partnership, UniBo will continue to support sustainable food production research while fostering community engagement and knowledge dissemination. Notably, UniBo will lead the annual urban farming competition, which will take place in Sweden in 2025.

Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain

The Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) will collaborate with the Municipality of El Prat de Llobregat (EPL) to address challenges in circular food production, while uncovering sustainable solutions. UAB will build on EPL’s established initiatives, such as peri-urban agriculture, the Foodclic project, and the “La Botiga” solidarity market, which provides food and essentials to those in need. This partnership supports sustainable food policies, local farming, and community empowerment, with the aim of creating a socially inclusive model for food distribution and urban resilience. UAB will also conduct experiments to explore the potential of residual materials as inputs for new products. Linked to the experiments, UAB will be identifying the social acceptance and perception for CFRS that utilise such residual materials for creating new consumer products.

Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden

The Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) will contribute technical and theoretical expertise, grounding the FOCUSE project in urban morphology while also exploring future market scenarios for CRFSs. Moreover, KTH will collaborate closely with IVL to conduct analyses and mapping of urban food production systems within Stockholm.

Stockholm Business Region, Sweden

Stockholm Business Region will actively participate in mapping the food production system for Stockholm city. Data, information, and contacts for Stockholm will be gathered to develop an accurate and representative case study. Additionally, IS will assist in leading activities for schoolchildren, including competitions and workshops, and provide insights into the opportunities and barriers for implementing CRFS.

University of Wroclaw, Poland

The University of Wrocław (UWr) will examine the spatial and multi-scalar context to develop a theoretical model for implementing circular urban farming aimed at creating resilient, ecologically stable urban systems that utilise sustainable energy and water resources. Alongside a policy analysis and identification of consumption patterns for specific demographics, UWr will organise workshops for elementary schoolchildren to envision current and future food production systems for Wrocław Miasto.

Wroclaw Miasto, Poland

In collaboration with UWr, Wrocław Miasto (WM) will facilitate insights into circular food production in Wrocław, Poland, focusing on Muchobór, a post-Soviet housing district, and historical downtown areas like Przedmieście Oławskie and Nadodrze. These areas provide a case study for exploring the role of urban agriculture within cities and its potential for urban revitalisation and green infrastructure.

Skellefteå Municipality, Sweden

Situated on the north-west coast of Bothnia Bay, Skellefteå Municipality is the second-largest municipality in the Västerbotten region of Sweden. Skellefteå experiences a climate that ranges from subarctic to continental, moderated by its coastal location, making it an interesting case for exploring the implementation of urban food production in this part of Northern Europe. The FOCUSE project will enable the municipality to investigate circular urban food production (and consumption) within the developing Skellefteå Campus area and in ‘Sustainable/Circular’ restaurant developments.

Nära Sverige, Sweden

Nära Sverige is a hydroponic vertical farming system located in Liljeholmen, Stockholm. Specialising in the production of greens, such as pak choi, kale, and crisp lettuce. Leveraging their expertise, Nära Sverige will provide techno-business insights into vertical farming within the FOCUSE project. Additionally, Nära Sverige will serve as an exemplary case study for zero-acreage farming, examining potential symbioses within the local environment, and will act as a testing ground for experiments involving residual materials.