From local innovation to sustainable urban food systems: lessons on scaling from eleven European cities

Abstract Promoting sustainable urban food systems has proven to be a challenging task for many urban administrations. This requires a systemic approach that considers the entire food supply chain and the crucial role which cities and urban policies can play in influencing food systems transition. While cities are pioneering many local innovations, scaling these towards a transition remains a challenge. This longitudinal study followed eleven European cities working on local food agendas and associated innovations for a period of three years. The study examines barriers and drivers for upscaling and outscaling urban food systems innovations, providing insights for successful strategies for urban policy makers to promote a transition towards sustainable, resilient urban food systems. The analysis shows how cities struggle with fragmentation in policy and budget structures, often relying on short-term funding for food-related projects. Strong political commitment, dedicated budgets, cross-departmental integration and stakeholder collaboration drive change. Cities with formal food policies, strong local political support, and active stakeholder networks achieve greater impact. Engaging diverse stakeholders and investing in human capacity leverages resources, promotes knowledge exchange, and supports scaling. Flexible, context-sensitive governance outscaling strategies help tailor initiatives to local conditions and adapt to evolving local contexts. But transforming food systems also requires a long-term vision, which ideally embeds food policy into broader urban agendas ensuring stable funding and leveraging local partnerships. Long-term strategies, continuous learning, and adaptive governance are essential to sustaining food systems innovations beyond project cycles, fostering resilient and sustainable urban food environments.