Working toward our vision of unlocking urban farming’s potential, FOODCITYBOOST operates six Living Labs, one of the most critical assets of our project. Living Labs are open innovation ecosystems that operate in real-life environments and deploy iterative feedback processes throughout the innovation’s lifecycle to generate sustainable impact. FOODCITYBOOST’s Living Labs represent a vibrant meeting point of communities, practitioners and innovators, academics and researchers, policymakers, and civilians’ prototype, test, and refine proposed solutions in real-life conditions. The living lab approach is user-centered, fosters open innovation, is systematic, and facilitates user co-creation. Our hands-on, inclusive approach is expected to yield practical insights into urban sustainability, food security, employment, social cohesion, and educational challenges.
Nurturing Sustainable Food and Fresh Ideas!
Fundación Entretantos (FENT) is a Spanish non-governmental organisation dedicated to advancing sustainable food systems, promoting agroecology, supporting extensive livestock farming, and conserving biodiversity.
The 
organisation strongly emphasizes the co-production of knowledge and practical solutions through inclusive dialogue and participation. FENT aims to generate innovative strategies that address pressing social and environmental challenges by fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Its approach integrates scientific research, local expertise, and community engagement to create impactful and enduring change.
One of FENT’s notable initiatives includes its partnership with the Valladolid City Council and the University of Valladolid. This collaboration focuses on the participatory planning and implementation of the Valladolid Food Policy, known as Alimenta Valladolid.
It serves as a model for inclusive governance in food systems, encouraging stakeholder involvement to develop policies that support food security, environmental sustainability, and social well-being in the Valladolid region.
FENT’s contribution in FOODCITYBOOST
FENT’s immediate proximity to the peri-urban areas (with more than 20 municipalities housing approximately 25 urban and periurban initiatives) shows promise to benefit FOODCITYBOOST, a point further enhanced through its ties to local producers, organic shops, associations, and cooperatives. Valladolid counts more than 11,000 square meters of do-it-yourself, community, and social gardens in 4 neighbourhoods. FENT has supported the development of city school gardens. Furthermore, FENT’s objectives include:
- • Recovery and enhancing the value of local agri-food production systems and resources
- • Bridging between municipalities of urban to rural environments
- • Favouring organic production and processing and promoting said consumption
- • Foster shortened distribution channels and small local businesses
- • Defending worker rights and access to local and quality foods for all social groups
- • Raise awareness regarding agroecology benefits and values
- • Develop a system to manage food waste and residue adequately
- • Promotion of a transition to a healthier and more sustainable diet
Read more at www.entretantos.org
