Designing Food System Transitions
The Horizon Europe FEAST project invites advanced students, early-career researchers, educators-in-training and professionals working across food, sustainability, health, policy and urban transformation to join the second edition of the FEAST Summer School, taking place from 31 August to 3 September 2026 at Karlshöhe Ludwigsburg, Germany.
Titled "Designing Food System Transitions", this free interdisciplinary programme explores how food systems can contribute to healthier, more sustainable and more resilient futures. Led by experts from prominent European and international organizations - including EuroHealthNet, Roskilde University, Heidelberg University, SUSMETRO, os4os, and Obafemi Awolowo University - the sessions will examine how food systems connect policy, sustainability, agriculture, health, and everyday life.
Working in interdisciplinary teams, participants will explore real-world food-system challenges and gain practical experience with systems thinking, policy analysis and food-system modelling. Using an interactive modelling application, they will investigate how policies, production systems, environmental pressures and behavioural changes can influence food-system outcomes over time.
Throughout the programme, participants will:
• Explore food systems through systems thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration
• Examine policy, production and sustainability perspectives
• Gain practical experience with food-system modelling and scenario analysis
• Develop strategies for addressing real-world urban food-system challenges
• Connect with researchers, professionals and peers from across Europe
Programme Overview
Day 1: Foundations: Food Systems & Systems Thinking
Day 2: Policy Levers and Framing
Day 3: Primary Production & System Modelling
Day 4: From Analysis to Strategy
By the end of the Summer School, participants will have strengthened their understanding of food-system transformation, developed practical analytical skills and expanded their professional network within the food, sustainability and health sectors.
Key Details
Dates: 31 August – 3 September 2026 (optional welcome on 30 August)
Location: Karlshöhe Ludwigsburg, Germany
Language: English
Fees: Free of charge (strictly limited to 25 places)
Target Audience: advanced master’s students, doctoral researchers, early-career professionals and educators working on food-system transformation, sustainability, health, policy
Registration: HERE
Visit the FEAST Summer School page for further information and registration details.
