The ABD Group hosts the first European exchange and peer-learning workshop of the EU Food Security HUB project in El Prat de Llobregat

The meeting was focused on food security and social inclusion

This Tuesday and Wednesday, July 2nd and 3rd, the ABD group hosted the first of 5 European exchange and peer-learning workshops in El Prat de Llobregat, which are carried out within the framework of the EU Food Security HUB project, coordinated by ABD. The EU Food Security HUB aims to promote cooperation, exchange of knowledge and expansion of good practices between organizations that promote food security and sovereignty, while increasing professional development to improve the social inclusion of people in situations of need and vulnerability.

The EU Food Security HUB project, funded by the Erasmus+ program of the European Commission, emerges from various good practices, including La Botiga, a service of the Prat de Llobregat City Council, managed by the ABD Group. La Botiga is a food guarantee, community empowerment and sustainability project, responding to traditional food distribution strategies in situations of food insecurity in the most impoverished groups in the community.

Sustainable food systems and transversal skills for work performance training

During the two days of the meeting, participants from partner entities – ACRA (Italy), IASIS (Greece), Urgenci (France), LAND (Italy) and EQU (Spain) – together with other invited organizations such as the Cooperativa Ciauli, Associazione Consorzio Cantiere Cuccagna or EStà – Economia i sostenibilitat, attended training sessions on sustainable food systems given by Espigoladors, and transversal skills for work performance taught by ABD, including emotional management and assertive communication, with practical activities such as role-playing games, interactive discussions and brainstorming sessions. Additionally, EQU held a workshop highlighting the importance of food sovereignty, empowerment, community inclusion and cross-cultural perspectives in food initiatives.  These sessions are part of the transversal training program on food safety being designed within the framework of the project.

In addition to La Botiga, participants visited initiatives related to food security and sustainable agriculture such as Espigoladors and Es-Imperfect, Cuina de barri and Agricultura pel Territori, further enriching their experience and knowledge in these areas.

Participants highlighted the importance of community inclusion and the development of fair and sustainable food policies, shared practical examples from their organizations and discussed food sovereignty and the dignity of people served. In addition, the participants contributed to the improvement of the training materials with valuable observations and suggestions.

Two days full of learning and networking that were very inspiring for all of the participants.

The training sessions were held at the Center Cívic Sant Jordi Ribera Baixa, provided by the Prat de Llobregat City Council.