CONTEXTAddressing food challenges contributes to central topics of the EU. For instance, climate: food systems contribute 19%–29% of global greenhouse gas emissions; as well as health and waste/circular economy. Substantial improvements in all areas depend upon lifestyle choices and thus upon adult education.The Food Action program responds to a dual need: the need of adult learners for easily accessible factual and pedagogical support for sustainable lifestyle change; and that of society, given the importance of food in today's policy challenges of climate change, circular economy, preventive health, and social inclusion.OBJECTIVESThe major objective of this 2-year project was to develop and test a self-learning package for adults wishing to learn how to adopt more sustainable food habits; culturally adapted in four national and one international (English-language) version. This objective has been fully met.A secondary objective was to test different possible delivery mechanisms, including use of IT tools and local, national and international partnerships; monitoring and evaluating in such a way as to lay a basis for future dissemination activities. This objective has also been met.PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONSThe beneficiary was Global Action Plan International (GAP-I), registered in Sweden. It coordinates a network of organizations developing and delivering sustainable behaviour-change programs, as well as conducting action research into appropriate methods and tools, and offering publications and training programs for curriculum designers. The 4 partners are all members of the GAP network, with prior experience of working together.Germany: agado, based in München, works with employees, business and local authorities and is engaged in adult education. Has a broad network and cooperation with NGOs and local authorities. Conducts research concerning sustainability and climate aspects of eating habits.Hungary: TVE is a highly active national consumer network with experience of study circles and coaching, strong engagement in food questions, social media and mass media engagement.Italy: InEuropa specializes in project management, particularly of EU-supported projects. Experience of working with municipalities and NGOs, and with education. Social media engagement. Mentor to the Beneficiary.Spain: GAP Spain has long experience of working with adult education and behaviour change through interactive web programs. Broad network and cooperation with local authorities and food-related businesses.MAIN ACTIVITIESThe main activities concerned developing 3 outputs comprising the adult self-learning package, including translation and cultural adaptation in six languages: English, German, Hungarian, Italian, Spanish, and (not originally foreseen) Basque.1. Workbook for adult learners, covering 3 main topics: Food Waste; Food, Climate & Environment; and Food & Health. Including all 3 topics is designed to elicit critical thinking and a broadening of perspective that empowers adult learners to make decisions based on what is good for them personally AND what is good for society and the environment.2. Manual for coaches, enabling competence-building in the general area of empowering coaching (a sought-after skill) as well as specifically for the Food Action program.3. An online reference Library of documents for further reading, embedded in a multilingual Food Action web site.The secondary activities concerned testing different delivery mechanisms, including selecting, adapting and testing IT tools as well as partnerships with different types of organizations; and publicizing the project and its outcomes.RESULTS AND IMPACTThis was a pilot project; the objective was to recruit 120 households to test the program (outcome: 264). The response is satisfactory: more than half the participants made behaviour changes that they have established as new habits; feedback regarding the materials is positive; trained Food Action coaches (target: 10, actual 39) find the skills generally useful and wish to continue supporting the program.Additionally, project team members in the 5 countries reported that their knowledge of food issues had improved, as well as their project management skills.The evaluation materials provide a base for further analysis and experimentation for scaling up dissemination and delivery of the program. Two key components are already clear: successful cross-sectoral partnerships, and improved IT tools.The media impact was far higher than anticipated, reaching close to 200,000 recipients via social media and other online activities (target: 7,000) and a further half million through mass media in Hungary.LONGER-TERM BENEFITSPreliminary results show that successful scaling up could lead to significant societal effects. For instance, a poll of some participants showed reductions in food waste and food miles of 10-15%, as well as a decrease in meat consumption.