Circular Business Models for Sustainable Urban Food Systems
Discover how circular business models transform urban food systems to tackle grand challenges through innovative solutions.
Duration
4 weeksWeekly study
4 hours
Circular Business Models for Sustainable Urban Food Systems
This course has been certified by the CPD Certification Service as conforming to continuing professional development principles. Find out more.
Explore how circular economy can foster sustainable urban food systems
In a scenario where the world’s population will reach 9 billion people in 2050, with almost 70% of them concentrated in urban areas and requiring three times more resources than we currently use, the traditional ‘linear economy’ is no longer suitable.
On this course, you’ll discover how to design and build circular food systems for resilient, smart and sustainable cities.
You’ll explore the catalytic role of cities to foster healthy and inclusive food policies, adopting systems thinking, institutional innovation, and participatory approaches in order to fulfill the 2030 SDGs.
Syllabus
Week 1
Thinking and Acting Circular in the context of SDGs: why and for whom?
Welcome
Introduction to the course and the concept of Circular Economy
Thinking Circular in the context of SDGs: Definitions, Origins and Concepts
Thinking Circular in the context of Sustainable Development Goals
Implementing inter-connected Circular Economy thinking at micro, meso and macro level
Acting Circular: why and how?
Circular Economy Roadblocks and Enablers
How Circular Economy can be enhanced and what are the barriers for this transition?
Review and Reflect on Week 1
Review and Reflect
Week 2
Designing Circular Food Systems: Challenges and Opportunities
Welcome to Week 2
Introduction to Circular Food System
Circular Food Systems: Tools and Measurement
How Circular Food Systems can be measured?
Urban and Local Food Policies
Exploring Urban and Local Food Systems, as well as the related food strategies and policies
Drivers and Barriers for Food Systems Circularity
How the Circularity of Food Systems can be enabled and what barriers it confronts?
Review and Reflect on Week 2
Review and Reflect
Week 3
Unlocking Value Creation through Circular Business Models
Welcome to Week 3
Welcome back
From Business Model Innovation to Circular Business Models
The evolution of business models
Best Practices of Circular Business Models in Urban Food Systems
Business Cases and Best Practices of Circular Business Models in Urban Food Systems
Circular Business Model Design approaches
Circular Business Model Design approaches
Review and Reflect on Week 3
Review and Reflect
Week 4
Engaging Food System Stakeholders Effectively
Welcome to Week 4
Welcome to the week
Unlocking the potential of CE through Systems Thinking
Unlocking the potential of CE through Systems Thinking
Educating on Circularity
Educating on Circularity
Communicating Circularity: Sustainability Reporting & Public Engagement
Communicating Circularity: Sustainability Reporting & Public Engagement
Review and Reflect on Week 4
Review and Reflect
Who is this accredited by?
The CPD Certification Service was established in 1996 and is the leading independent CPD accreditation institution operating across industry sectors to complement the CPD policies of professional and academic bodies.
When would you like to start?
Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.
Available now
Learning on this course
On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...
- Explore the Circular Economy principles, concepts and measurements in the context of SDGs
- Identify and assess challenges and opportunities when designing Circular Food Systems
- Assess how Urban Food Policies can support urban-rural linkages and guide the transition to Sustainable Urban Food Systems
- Develop and assess Circular Business Models and their role in creating product-service combinations to achieve Food Circularity
- Develop skills and practical tools to disseminate awareness and educate third parties on Urban Food Circularity to foster Sustainable Food Systems
Who is the course for?
This course is primarily designed for policymakers, public institutions, intermediaries, and educators. It would also appeal to anyone with an interest in issues of sustainability and urban food systems.
What do people say about this course?
I enjoyed this course.
"In a field such as sustainability, which encompasses everything, continuous learning is key to continuous improvement on the journey to drive sustainable transformations. I enjoyed this course."
Who will you learn with?
I am a Professor of Management Control Systems at the University of Turin, Department of Management. My research is focused on entrepreneurship, innovation, and sustainable business models.
I am a Professor of Food Economics & Business Management at the Department of Economics & Management, University of Helsinki. My research focuses on organizational sustainability in food systems.
I am a researcher in the Department of Management at the University of Turin, in the fields of Circular Economy and Innovation. I believe in the power of experiential learning to drive change.
I work as a research assistant at the Department of Economics and Management, University of Helsinki. I am a Master of Food Sciences, focusing on food economics.
Who developed the course?
EIT Food
EIT Food is Europe’s leading food initiative, working to make the food system more sustainable, healthy and trusted.
University of Turin
The University of Turin is one of the largest and most prestigious Italian universities, with about 70,000 students, 4,000 employees, and 1,800 research fellows, encompassing all academic sectors.
University of Helsinki
The University of Helsinki is an international scientific community of 40,000 students and researchers. Through science, the University has contributed to society, education and welfare since 1640
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
The European Institute of Innovation & Technology strengthens Europe’s ability to innovate by powering solutions to pressing global challenges and by nurturing entrepreneurial skills in Europe’s largest innovation ecosystem.
Endorsers and supporters
content provided by
content provided by
Learning on FutureLearn
Your learning, your rules
- Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
- Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
- Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores
Join a global classroom
- Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
- Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
- Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others
Map your progress
- As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
- Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
- Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate
Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn
Learner reviews
Learner reviews cannot be loaded due to your cookie settings. Please and refresh the page to view this content.
Do you know someone who'd love this course? Tell them about it...
More courses you might like
Learners who joined this course have also enjoyed these courses.
Browse more in Nature & Environment and Business & Management
