supporting community-based food initiatives for a sustainable urban territory

• Plaine commune is located in the north of Paris, in the department of Seine Saint Denis. It is an intermunicipal corporation made up of 8 towns and a delegated commune (Aubervilliers, Epinay-sur-Seine, La Courneuve, L’Île-Saint-Denis, Saint-Denis, Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, Stains, Villetaneuse and Pierrefitte-sur-Seine, a delegated commune of Saint-Denis). About more than 400,000 inhabitants live in Plaine Commune.
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• In the context of climate emergency, economic crisis, and the rising health impacts of ‘junk food’, Plaine Commune committed in 2021 to transforming its food system. This commitment has taken the form of an (urban) Territorial Food Project (PAT : Projet Alimentaire Territorial) that promotes solidarity, sustainability and acts as a catalyst for local economic development.

Why and what is a Territorial Food Project?

• Plaine Commune area is characterised by a high urban density and a low agricultural output, leading to a high dependence to food imports. It is also characterised by a high poverty rate, involving a high food insecurity for its residents. However, the territory can also rely on its strength : dynamic and committed stakeholders, great cultural diversity, several urban farming initiatives, the creativity of the population and a strong solidarity network (with a lot of community led projects). 
• By encouraging collective action among all stakeholders in the food system, Plaine Commune aims to:

• > make high-quality food more accessible to all;
• > improve the food system’s resilience to crises;
• > improve residents’ health;
• > strengthen and revitalise the local food ecosystem;
• > minimise the carbon footprint of food;
• > promote the diversity of cultural practices;
• > empower and rise citizens’awareness on these issues.

• The Territorial Food Project provides the strategic and operational framework for 2024 to 2028 to guide and support the implementation of actions by the partners, and to encourage cooperation. It is made of : 

• > A strategy comprising four key priorities : 

1. Make sustainable food accessible to as many people as possible
2. Encourage the development of a local food economy that is socially and environmentally responsible
3. Reduce food waste and promote the circular food economy
4. Empower inhabitants, foster social cohesion and promote the region’s heritage in relation with food. 

• > Concrete projects 
• > A network of partners.

Examples of cross cutting project led or supported by the Territorial Food Project that we would like to take further with the URBACT network:

• > Improving the supply and operation of food aid and food solidarity
• > Facilitate partnerships that support community cooking workshops. These workshop address many of the challenges identified by our Territorial food project, including raising awareness and educate people about sustainable food, sharing and celebrating residents’ skills, and fostering a sense of community. 
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• More information about our project can be found here : https://plainecommune.fr/projets/projet-alimentaire-territorial

We already have led Urbact projets and we are currently seeking:

- Project partners (cities, public authorities, or relevant stakeholders)

- A Lead Partner / Coordinator to support the development and coordination of the URBACT network