FoodCoP wraps final event in Slovenia with rural innovation push

FoodCoP marked its final event on Oct. 6 in Kočevje, Slovenia, with a hybrid gathering that brought together rural communities, mentors and policymakers around the Startup Villages model. The EU-backed project will follow with a Policy Dialogue on Oct. 27 to present its final policy brief and next-step recommendations.

Why it matters: - FoodCoP is trying to help rural communities turn local food systems into engines for innovation, entrepreneurship and circular bioeconomy growth. - The project’s final event was designed to connect local experience with policy action, so the Startup Villages model can spread across Europe.

What happened: - FoodCoP held its Final Event on 6 October 2026 in Kočevje, Slovenia, in hybrid format. - The programme reviewed FoodCoP’s approach and key results. - The agenda included Kočevje’s experience as a Startup Village. - The event also covered the FoodCoP Ambassador and Mentor Programme. - The European Commission’s Project Officer delivered final reflections.

The details: - The headline session was the Global Online Roundtable, “Stories from Rural Communities Around the World.” - RDI Hub in Ireland moderated the roundtable. - Speakers joined from Slovenia, Japan, Uruguay and Canada. - Participants shared real-world examples of circular bioeconomy work in their territories. - Each speaker described the turning point that led to a circular approach. - Each speaker also gave one piece of advice for rural European communities that are just starting out. - The discussion pointed to shared challenges across different rural contexts. - The discussion also pointed to shared opportunities in food systems, bioeconomy and local innovation. - The full recording is available on the FoodCoP YouTube channel.

Between the lines: - FoodCoP is using international peer exchange to show that rural innovation is not limited by geography. - The mix of local case studies and global rural voices suggests the project is aiming to move from demonstration to replication. - The final event also signaled that the policy work is meant to carry the project’s lessons beyond the consortium.

What's next: - FoodCoP will hold a Policy Dialogue on 27 October 2026 at 14:00 CET. - The consortium will present its final Policy Brief at that session. - The brief will focus on actionable insights to foster innovation in rural areas. - The brief will also support the creation of new Startup Villages across Europe. - Policymakers, Startup Villages and rural innovators are invited to register and take part.

The bottom line: - FoodCoP is closing with a clear handoff from project results to policy action, aiming to turn rural innovation practices into a wider European model. - The project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101182001. - More information is available at foodcop.eu.