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The European Union (EU) has invested €2.2 million into a project to encourage the growth and adoption of plant-based food across Europe.

Officially launched yesterday (3 September 2025), the project – named Innovative Strategies to Accelerate Adoption and Consumption of Plant-Based Food (ISAAP) – is part of the EU’s European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)’s Food Impact Funding Framework.

It will run from September 2025 until August 2027, bringing together partners from Portugal, Czechia and Denmark. Two national offices of industry awareness organisation ProVeg International will play key roles in the use of the funding.

The project will build on Denmark’s National Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods, aiming to replicate and expand similar strategies across other EU countries to promote healthier and more sustainable food systems.

In Portugal, ProVeg will work alongside farmer organisations such as the Portuguese farmers confederation Confederação dos Agricultores de Portugal, and CERPRO, a producers organisation.

Universidade Católica Portuguesa will also collaborate on the project, supporting the development of innovative new legume-based products and building stronger connections between agriculture, research and industry.

Meanwhile, ProVeg Czechia will focus on increasing access to plant-based meals in the foodservice sector. It will work closely with Catering Zdravě and other partners to support the development of new plant-based dishes, share expertise across the catering sector and help expand the New Food Forum, a key industry event.

Jasmijn de Boo, global CEO of ProVeg International, said: “ISAAP represents a joint effort to make plant-based foods more accessible, appealing and sustainable across Europe. We are proud to collaborate with partners in creating real change that benefits farmers, industry, and consumers alike.”