• Ongoing Projects
• Edible Cities Network (EdiCitNet)

The Edible Cities Network (EdiCitNet) aims to make cities around the world more livable for all by implementing Edible City Solutions (ECS). Since September 2018, the project, which is funded by the European Commission, has therefore been establishing a global network of cities.

ECS are all forms of urban food production, distribution and use. Examples are community and allotment gardens, beekeeping, edible green facades, indoor farms, community kitchens or restaurants that offer urban food. By improving climate conditions, biodiversity and social cohesion, these activities increase social well-being. It will also support the local economy and ensure the sustainable conservation of local resource cycles.

Inclusive ECSs provide both local economic growth and social cohesion. Social relations in neighbourhoods are strengthened through joint actions and new environmentally friendly businesses and jobs are created. This systematic use of urban landscapes is an important step towards sustainable, liveable and healthy cities. Many different actions around the world, which are currently fragmented, contribute to a global movement of edible cities.

Agriculture in urban landscapes

The Borderstep Institute will support the Edible Cities Network project over the next three years. The aim is to support initiatives, start-ups and those interested in founding their own businesses in the development of viable, sustainable business models. How can knowledge gaps be closed in the effective implementation of Edible City Solutions and how can creative revenue models be developed? Which innovations can be developed along the value chain of urban agriculture? We try to answer these and other questions with the project partners and the numerous initiatives in the participating cities.

Innovative business models for the Edible City

The project aims to enable people in the cities to consciously perceive the richness and diversity of the existing Edible City Solutions. In a second step, successfully tested Edible City Solutions can then be adapted and implemented for the specific urban context. The project takes into account the entire chain of urban food production. Social challenges such as mass urbanisation, social inequality, climate change and resource protection in cities are part of the study.