WORK PACKAGES
In order to achieve all the objectives, these 9 work packages will work together
WP1: Understanding the factors determining food choices and malnutrition in children and adolescents in the Med region
The first Work Package will gather information about the Mediterranean Diet adherence of children and adolescents an evaluate the results before and after the project. This will be carried out through case studies which will combine qualitative and quantitative social research. WP1 will also perform a very important task, which is to monitor consumer needs from the sociodemographic, cultural, environmental and nutritional point of view in order to adjust recommendations.
WP Leader: AIJU Technological Institute For Children’s Products & Leisure
WP2: Sustainability assessment of local MD production models
The recipes need to be healthy and adjusted to the Mediterranean culture and heritage, and to the socioeconomic circumstances. But they also need to be sustainable. That is when the LCSA (Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment) will be really helpful through three different cycle studies:
- LCA, Life Cycle Assessment.
- LCC, Life Cycle Costing.
- S-LCA, Social Life Cycle Assessment.
WP Leader: Contactica.
WP3: Physical activity intervention programs for obesity prevention and fostering social interaction
Nutrition is key to tackle the obesity among children and adolescents, but it needs to be combined with regular physical activity. WP3 will design an intervention program in order to prevent obesity and promote physical activity and fitness. During the project, the effects will be evaluated and new indicators will be developed in order to analyse the impact of physical activity in Mediterranean Diet adherence.
WP Leader: Assiut University
WP4: New food product development and recipes optimization
Taking into account the data collected during the first stages of WP1 as well as the sustainability criteria, over 200 Mediterranean Diet recipes will be reformulated. This will be carried out always having consumer needs and cultural preferences in mind for better consumer acceptance. After reformulating, a training for canteen staff will be provided trough online workshops.
Also, some healthy and sustainable snacks will be co-created with children in participating schools and the consumer acceptance of the snacks will be analysed too.
WP Leader: BCC INNOVATION, Technology Center of Basque Culinary Center
WP5: Weekly MD-based school meals according to nutritional and sustainable aspects
Nowadays, technology is key to reach younger audience and to go further in any initiative. That is why two digital platforms will be created to integrate databases. This way, weekly menus will be delivered integrating social, nutritional, cultural and sustainable aspects of food. Physical activity data will also be present, as well as sustainability criteria.
An app for parents and general public will be released using all knowledge in the platform. Like with the recipes, the canteen staff will learn how to use the digital platforms.
WP Leader: Universitá Degli Studi Di Catania
WP6: Integrative MD-based educational toolkit development
The materials developed for digital platforms will be combined with two other tools: editorial material for the classrooms and games/toys based on scientific evidence. The editorial materials will be adapted by age and will explain the benefits of Mediterranean Diet on health and sustainability. They will be adjusted to each country and provide cooking and food system education too.
Also, three toys or games will be developed for non-formal education purposes, which will be tested by kids and adapted to country-specific conditions.
WP Leader: Edelvives.
WP7: Exploitation of the new MD business models
The main goal of this WP is to maximise the availability, accessibility and awareness of the findings from the project and the integration in the App to maximize its impact and legacy. This also include the facilitation of knowledge exchange between different stakeholders in different regions to change habits towards Sustainable Healthy Diets.
WP Leader: Edelvives.
WP8: Communication and Dissemination
The purpose of this Work Package is to ensure that the awareness of the project reaches as far as possible and to the greater number of people. Synergies between schools are key to achieve this, as well as providing a framework for all communication and dissemination activities. In the end, the goal is to try to change habits and foster adherence to Mediterranean Diet and lifestyle through all suitable channels.
WP Leader: Contactica.
WP9: Project Management
The project coordinator must ensure a strong organizational structure to achieve all the project goals. This includes making sure all objectives are clearly defined, monitoring the results and correct the mistakes that may come as well as ensuring that all activities are carried out on time and all management and technical reports are delivered to the European Commission.
WP Leader: Edelvives.
