EU commits €2.2 million to boost plant-based food adoption

The European Union has launched a new €2.2 million (US$2.4 million) initiative to encourage the production and consumption of plant-based foods across Europe. The project, titled Innovative Strategies to Accelerate Adoption and Consumption of Plant-Based Food (ISAAP), is part of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s (EIT) Food Impact Funding Framework and will run from September 2025 until August 2027.

Partners from Portugal, Czechia, and Denmark will collaborate to build healthier, more sustainable food systems, strengthen resilience, and help align Europe’s food supply with climate and public health goals. Two national offices of ProVeg International are set to play pivotal roles in the project’s implementation.

The initiative builds directly on Denmark’s National Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, aiming to replicate and expand similar strategies across other EU countries. By supporting farmers, researchers, industry, and caterers, ISAAP seeks to accelerate the transition toward diets richer in legumes and plant-based proteins.

In Portugal, ProVeg Portugal will work closely with farmer organizations including Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal (CAP) and CERPRO, a producers’ group, as well as with the Universidade Católica Portuguesa. Together, the partners will focus on developing innovative legume-based products and strengthening links between agriculture, research, and industry.

“Supporting Portuguese farmers to grow more legumes and connecting them with research and industry partners is a cornerstone of this project,” said Joana Oliveira, Country Director of ProVeg Portugal. “Together with CAP, CERPRO, and UCP, we aim to strengthen local food systems and show how collaboration can drive real impact.”

Oliveira added that ISAAP represents an important opportunity to shape national policy. “ISAAP gives us the chance to contribute to Portugal’s future food strategy while learning from our European partners. By engaging decisionmakers and working closely with farmers and researchers, we can create solutions that are sustainable, resilient, enhance food security and beneficial for everyone.”

In Czechia, the project will focus on expanding access to plant-based meals in the catering sector. ProVeg Czechia will work with Catering Zdravě and other partners to develop new dishes, share expertise across the industry, and build on the success of the New Food Forum, a key event for food companies and policymakers.

“Our work in Czechia is about creating more opportunities for plant-based meals in partnership with caterers, policymakers, and innovators,” said Martin Ranninger, Co-Director of ProVeg Czechia. “The ISAAP consortium allows us to learn from others, share best practices, and together make sustainable food choices more accessible to everyone.”

Ranninger emphasized the importance of collaboration across the food system. “The transition to a sustainable food system can only succeed if industry, farmers, policymakers, and civil society work hand in hand. Through ISAAP, ProVeg Czechia is proud to collaborate with diverse partners to expand plant-based options and support positive change for both people and the planet.”

According to ProVeg, ISAAP’s strength lies in the diversity of its consortium. The project brings together expertise from farmers, researchers, caterers, NGOs, and associations, ensuring practical solutions can be developed and tested across different parts of the food chain.

ProVeg International’s involvement complements the work of local partners, with the organization helping to ensure that farmer engagement, product development, and food service innovation are aligned with broader EU objectives.

“ISAAP represents a joint effort to make plant-based foods more accessible, appealing, and sustainable across Europe,” said Jasmijn de Boo, Global CEO of ProVeg International. “We are proud to collaborate with partners in creating real change that benefits farmers, industry, and consumers alike.”

The project also aligns with EIT Food’s three missions: building a net-zero food system, supporting healthier lives through food, and creating a fairer, more resilient food system. By targeting both supply-side measures, such as legume cultivation and product development, and demand-side initiatives, such as expanding plant-based catering options, ISAAP aims to accelerate adoption at multiple levels.

Over its two-year duration, ISAAP is expected to generate new legume-based products, broaden consumer access to plant-based meals, and influence national food strategies in participating countries. For policymakers, the project provides a case study in how EU-level funding can catalyze innovation and cooperation across borders.

As European consumers increasingly embrace flexitarian diets and governments look for ways to reduce the environmental impact of food, the project offers a timely boost to the plant-based sector. By investing in both farmers and food service providers, ISAAP seeks to demonstrate how plant-based food can move from niche to mainstream.