Launched in November 2024, EPIC-SHIFT is an innovative and collaborative Horizon Europe research project: Securing Holistic and Impactful Food Systems Transformation with Novel Foods Based on Alternative Proteins. Supported by €4.5 million in funding, EPIC-SHIFT brings together 20 partner organisations from 14 countries to advance sustainable food systems and European protein diversification.
Protein sources and project objectives
The project focuses on a wide range of alternative protein sources, including fungi, bacteria, microalgae, macroalgae, insects, and agricultural and aquacultural by-products. EPIC-SHIFT aims to support the EU Protein Strategy by providing an unprecedented and independent knowledge base on the environmental, economic, and social sustainability of novel foods derived from alternative protein sources (NFAP). By doing so, the project promotes protein diversification in human diets and strengthens food system resilience across Europe.
Toward protein diversification through a holistic food systems approach
With increasing demand for protein across the EU and persistent inefficiencies in current food systems, novel foods based on alternative proteins (NFAP) offer a significant opportunity to diversify protein sources in human diet. Integrating these sources alongside existing proteins can strengthen the EU’s protein strategy and support adequate nutrition for all in Europe and enhance sustainability and resilience of the EU food system.
However, knowledge about the environmental, economic, and social impacts of the widespread production, provision, and consumption of NFAP remains limited and is not yet fully integrated into a holistic vision of the food system. EPIC-SHIFT addresses these knowledge gaps by applying a food systems approach, exploring trade-offs, interactions between food system actors, and indirect impacts over time.
Driving innovation through collaboration
The EPIC-SHIFT consortium brings together leading universities, research institutes, startups, food businesses, consultants, farmers, and consumer associations to ensure diverse perspectives and comprehensive food system analysis. Partners include Lund University (Lead), the University of Oxford – Environmental Change Institute, the University of Helsinki, the Technical University of Denmark, CNTA, The American College of Greece Research Center, ECOINNOVAZIONE, Safe Food Advocacy Europe, EIT Food, Stichting New Harvest Netherlands, ShakeUp Factory, Food+i Cluster, Atova Regulatory Consultancy, Puratos Group NV, Danone Research, Innomy Biotech, Poseidona, DLG German Agricultural Society, CSIRO (Associated Partner), and NTT DATA Institute of Management Consulting (Associated Partner).Learn more about partners here.
EIT Food North-East at the forefront of communication and stakeholder engagement
Within EPIC-SHIFT, EIT Food North-East leads global communication and manages dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities. The primary goal is to raise awareness of EPIC-SHIFT, maximise project impact, and foster engagement among diverse stakeholder groups across the European food sector.
Follow the project on Linkedin and at epic-shift.eu to be up to date with project news and invitations to events.
EPIC- SHIFT is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Horizon Europe. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them
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