The final editorial meeting for the digital guidebook will be held during the experts’ meeting. In addition, we plan to develop a follow-up activity that the network will implement in 2026.

We will have the opportunity to invite experts from universities (Aalborg University, Lund University, Porto University) and intergovernmental/non-governmental organisations (Nordic Council, Green Movements) to join us virtually. Their contributions will support the finalisation of the guidebook and enrich the debate by sharing perspectives on promoting dietary shifts towards more plant-based and fewer animal-based foods — for the benefit of both the environment and public health.

The meeting will also emphasise the vital role of civil society organisations (CSOs) in advancing the sustainable food transition. Our goal is to strengthen the capacity of CSOs in building a greener future for the Nordic-Baltic region and to encourage the development of new sustainable initiatives.

Accommodation: A&O København Sydhavn (Sydhavns Plads 4, 2450, Copenhagen)
Venue: Aalborg University (7th November); Folkevirke (8th November)

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Experts Meeting on Sustainable Food Transition
Date and time: 7 November 2025, at 10.00 am
Location: Aalborg University, Denmark

This expert-level meeting brings together 15 participants from across the Nordic and Baltic countries to discuss the future of sustainable food systems and their impact on society. The event will explore key themes such as sustainable food transition policies, environmental and health aspects, citizens’ food habits, school nutrition, and the vital role of civil society in driving change.

The programme features keynote presentations from leading researchers from Denmark, including insights into community food initiatives and school meal systems. Participants will engage in moderated debates on existing Nordic-Baltic policies, best practices, and shared challenges in promoting sustainable, healthy, and inclusive food systems.

Highlights:

• Guest presentations: Experts from Denmark (PhD Michael Søgaard Jørgensen, Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg University), from Sweden (Bent Egberg Mikkelsen. M.Sc;PhD; Professor at University of Lund. Urban food systems transformation), and from Portugal (Beatriz de Oliveira Teixeira, assistant professor, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto)
• Topics: Sustainable food transition, policy frameworks, health and environmental aspects, citizens’ and school food systems, civil society engagement
• Participants: 15-17 experts and practitioners
• Catering: vegetarian food at Aalborg University

Agenda overview:
Experts Meeting on Sustainable Food Transition
7th November 2025, at Aalborg University (Copenhagen, A. C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450)
09:00-10:00 Arrival & Registration
10:00-10:10 Welcome & Programme Overview
10:00- 10.20 Presentation: “Experiences with transition towards production and consumption of plant-based food” – by PhD Michael Søgaard Jørgensen, Department of Sustainability and Planning, Aalborg University (Denmark)
10:20-11:00 Keynote: “Healthier and more sustainable eating at school – education, engagement & empowerment” – by Beatriz de Oliveira Teixeira, assistant professor, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto (Portugal)
11:00- 11.30 Interactive Session and Questions
11:30-12:00 Keynote: “The Climate Smart Nordic School Food revolution – what role should pupils play” – by Bent Mikkelsen, Lund University (Sweden)
12:00-13:15 Debate: Nordic-Baltic Sustainable Food Transition Policies coperative perspective
– Stefan Olsen, PEPP (Iceland)
– Mathias Berg, Oslo Ungre Vestre (Norway)
– Susanne Kallanvaara, Burgarden Gymnasium (Sweden)
– Laura Rajaa, Green Habito (Finland)
– Ivan Vasilevskikh, Compass (Denmark)
– Rita Leipina, Talens City (Latvia)
– German Morris, Peace Child Estonia (Estonia)

QUESTIONS FOR DEBATES

1.Role of Civil Society in Food System Innovation
Question: “Civil society claims to drive food system innovation—but can grassroots movements really replace what governments are failing to deliver?”
Relevance: Directly engages NGOs, community groups, and consumers about their real impact on sustainable food transitions.

2. Consumer Behavior and Food Choices
Question: “Citizens’ food habits are slow to change—are policies failing if they don’t immediately alter consumer behavior?”
Relevance: Puts consumer responsibility and behavioral change at the center of the debate.

3. Accessibility and Equity in Sustainable Food
Question: “Is sustainable food realistically accessible to all, or are these policies privileging urban, wealthier populations at the expense of rural and lower-income communities?”
Relevance: Highlights social justice, inclusivity, and civil society advocacy in promoting equitable food access.

4. Effectiveness of School Nutrition Programs
Question: “School nutrition programs are often touted as key to future sustainability—but are they effective, or just a symbolic gesture?”
Relevance: Engages both policymakers and civil society on practical interventions shaping the next generation.

5. Cross-Border Cooperation and Regional Learning
Question: “Cross-border cooperation sounds ideal, but do differing priorities and economic realities make it more of a buzzword than a practical solution?”
Relevance: Sparks discussion on regional collaboration and knowledge exchange, a key area for NGOs and researchers.

6. Integration of Health, Environment, and Policy
Question: “Can we realistically expect food policies to solve climate change, biodiversity loss, and public health all at once, or is this an impossible balancing act?”
Relevance: Forces a debate on systemic challenges, realistic policy goals, and civil society’s role in bridging gaps.

13:15-14:00 Lunch (vegetarian)
14:00-15:00 Overview of the Digital Guidebook on Sustainable Food Transition (by Green Habito and SSCW)
15:00-16:00 Sharing Best Practices & Case Studies
16:00-16:30 Conclusions & Next Steps

Editorial Meeting of the Digital Guidebook on Sustainable Food Transition
8th November 2025, at Folkevirke (Copenhagen, Niels Hemmingsens Gade 10, 3. sal,)
10:00 – 10:10 Opening Remarks

• Overview of guidebook progress and editorial goals
• Confirmation of contributors and final structure

10:10 – 11:45 Review of Content Sections

• Summary of chapters: sustainable food systems, school food, community engagement, health and environment
• Discussion of case studies and data sources
• Integration of input from experts and partner institutions (gathered materials, methodologies, games, etc).

11:45 – 12:00 Coffee time

12:00 – 13:00 | Design, Dissemination and Translation Strategy

• Final editorial adjustments and proofreading timeline
• Design layout and digital publication plan
• Translation into Nordic and Baltic languages
• Distribution via partners, networks, and educational platforms

13:00 – 14:00 Roundtable: Reflections and Next Steps

• Comments from partner universities, CSO and agencies (Aalborg University, Malmö University, CSOs and Nordic Council representatives)
• Agreement on editorial responsibilities and deadlines

14:00 – 15:00 Lunch

15:00 – 16:30 | Developing a follow-up project for 2026: Nordic-Baltic CSO Accelerator on Sustainable Food Transition

Project draft proposal for 2026

Working Title: “Empowering Civil Society for Green Change: Nordic-Baltic CSO Accelerator 2026”
Duration: March–October 2026
Lead Partners: SSCW (Estonia), Green Habito (Denmark), EuroMeduc Network (Sweden), and regional CSO alliances.
Objective:
To build the capacity of civil society organisations and youth groups in promoting sustainable and inclusive food systems through education, advocacy, and local initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Nordic Vision 2030.
Key Components:
Capacity-Building Workshops: Online and local training sessions on sustainable food policy, advocacy, and communication.
Tools for developing community-based food projects.
Innovation Labs: Support for pilot CSO initiatives addressing plant-based diets, local food sourcing, or community food hubs.
Micro-grants for 10–12 CSO-led pilot projects across the region.
Digital Network Platform: Launch of an online hub for collaboration, sharing best practices, and connecting CSOs with researchers and policy experts.
Policy Dialogue Forum (Autumn 2026): Presentation of pilot results and recommendations to Nordic-Baltic institutions and ministries.
Expected Outcomes:
Strengthened cooperation between CSOs, academia, and government agencies.
Increased CSO capacity to advocate for sustainable food policies.
Broader public awareness of the environmental and health benefits of dietary shifts.

Contact persons:
Ivan Vasilevskikh, Compass Denmark – compassdanmark@gmail.com, +4550383983
Michael Søgaard Jørgensen, Aalborg University – msjo@plan.aau.dk, +45 21 25 6815