What this project is about
This project intends to create and test a transferable and replicable operating model for enhancing the water-smartness of food systems, both in Finland and elsewhere. The operating model is based on Finnish water expertise and knowhow, combined with understanding of food systems and regenerative farming. The operating model is test-driven in practice on the Ã…land Islands, with local food companies and farms.
This project is a collaboration between Invenire and Finnish Water Forum. It is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.
What we do in practice on Åland Islands – our test bed
Profiling and mapping the operating environment from a water perspective – community, landscape and actors.
Exploring technical and nature-based solutions to water-related issues local farms and food companies might have.
Increasing water-related knowledge and capabilities of local farms and food companies.
Providing insight and inspiration from elsewhere on technical and nature-based solution to water-smartness within the food system.
Why this project is important for food companies
Many food companies operating in areas without water stress are not really paying enough attention to water-related issues. However, both clean and wastewater create costs and sustainability concerns for food companies. It pays off for companies to ensure that water and the valuable nutrients in it are retained, refined and recirculated as efficiently as possible, whether in the company’s own processes or by someone else.
Why this project is important for farms
For farms, dealing with droughts and flooding can be a real struggle, in addition to creating costs and sustainability concerns. In farming, focus needs to be placed on ensuring soil health to help it absorb and retain water better. It pays off for farms to ensure that rural landscapes and farming practices are designed in a way that supports and enhances the natural water cycle.