A bridge between scientific knowledge, public policy, and active citizenship.
Our Areas of Expertise
Food, Climate, and a Just Transition
Food, climate, and a just transition are at the heart of our work. We start with data and translate it into concrete actions in collaboration with public agencies, businesses, and communities. Whether we’re facilitating dialogue, investigating a phenomenon, or building new skills, we always aim for measurable results that make a real difference on the ground.
Here’s how we put this approach into action.
Consultancy
We have been working alongside public administrations for over ten years to develop urban food policies.
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Facilitation
We help territories and organisations find their own path towards sustainable change, activating all available human resources.
Discover the serviceThe latest news
How Food Governance Is Changing in Italy: Regions, Stakeholders, and Policies
EStà’s new article on governance practices in the transformation of Italian food systems has been published in Frontiers. The mapping conducted by EStà and CIHEAM Bari highlights the role of medium-sized cities and territorial coalitions, the leading role of municipalities and the third sector, and the gradual institutionalization of food policies.
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EStà’s Participation in the Master’s Program in Local Food Policies
EStà guided an international class in exploring the challenges of contemporary food systems. Through stakeholder engagement tools, participatory processes, Living Labs, and the Theory of Change, Andrea Calori, Bianca Minotti, and Francesca La Rocca proposed a practical and critical approach to food policy, grounded in the integration of research and action, the strengthening of relationships among local stakeholders, and learning derived not only from successes but also from failures and lessons learned in the field.
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Edgar Morin, a pillar of the philosophy of EStà
In memoria di Edgar Morin, il cui pensiero ha influenzato EStà e la nostra scelta di affrontare la sostenibilità come una questione insieme ambientale, sociale, economica e culturale.
Read moreThe method
We combine analysis, engagement, and strategy
Our approach integrates three operational dimensions:
Research
to analyze contexts in depth and based on reliable data.
Participatory processes
to develop solutions by engaging stakeholders and local communities.
Strategic Planning
to turn insights into actionable steps.
We don’t rely on cookie-cutter solutions: every project is tailor-made, developed in close collaboration with our clients. We provide robust tools to help you understand the situation, make informed decisions, and drive change.
Learn more about our methodOur publications
Intensive livestock farming in Lombardy: Anatomy of an excess
The report includes: an analysis of the main livestock farming systems in Lombardy, 15 thematic maps, infographics and original analyses of data from ISPRA, ISTAT and regional databases; environmental indicators; transition scenarios and recommendations for public decision-makers.
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Study on measures to tackle poverty and food waste in Turin
The research aims to explore situations of socio-economic vulnerability that give rise to various forms of food insecurity, as well as the different methods of recovering and redistributing food surpluses and donations. The study has provided an overview of the socio-spatial dynamics at urban level that generate these conditions of vulnerability and has identified spaces, actors, resources and dynamics that can help to address the problems identified.
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Our projects
Trento: The Strategic Plan for Food Policy
EStà is supporting the Municipality of Trento in drawing up the Strategic Plan for Food Policy 2026–2030. The process involves an analysis of the food system, a review of the literature and stakeholder engagement, with a view to defining a shared strategy to support the city’s future food policies.
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Re.Food: Redefine Food
Re.Food is a multilateral technical assistance programme whose mission is to co-design agricultural and urban policies capable of making local food systems fairer, more efficient and more resilient.
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FOODGaP – Food Governance and Policies at Local Level
The FOODGaP (Food Governance and Policies at Local Level) project is a strategic transnational cooperation initiative co-funded by the European Commission’s Interreg NEXT MED Programme. The project was set up to address the gaps in administrative and political governance that hinder fair, safe and sustainable access to food in the Mediterranean region.
Discover the projectAbout Us
We are working to make sustainability a strategic solution
We are an independent organization dedicated to research, training, and consulting.
We work with public agencies, nonprofit organizations, local communities, and regional networks to address complex issues using accessible, reliable, and action-oriented tools.
We develop methods and approaches that help us better understand the world, build effective partnerships, and devise practical solutions. Our work stems from the convergence of various disciplines and takes the form of projects, analyses, strategies, and training initiatives that make a real difference on the ground.
We believe in knowledge that is practical, shared, and capable of bringing about real change toward a just ecological transition.
Partner
We collaborate with local governments, foundations, universities, research centers, labor unions, and public and private companies.
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MUFPP - Milan Urban Food Policy Pact -
Terra! -
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Paris -
Atlante del cibo di Torino -
Dear EU Program -
Legambiente Lombardia -
Italian Climate Network -
Masaf - Ministero dell'agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste -
Comune di Milano -
MAECI - Ministero Affari Esteri e Cooperazione Internazionale -
Net Zero Cities -
Comune di Trento -
CREA -
Coopfond -
Hivos -
Rikolto -
ICLEI Africa -
Politecnico di Milano -
PNRR -
Comune di Bergamo -
Fondazione ACRA -
FAO -
Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo -
Fondazione Cariplo -
Agropolis Fondation
