Aspects of Brasov City Food System Indicators

How do you measure if a city is truly transforming its food system? In Brașov, Romania, the Living Lab has taken a systemic approach by applying 54 core indicators. These are grouped into four thematic areas: Systems Thinking, Action Learning, Science-Policy-Practice Integration, and Policy and Planning. Together, they help assess the city’s capacity to design inclusive, evidence-based strategies for food system change.

Systems Thinking

The Living Lab uses the CLIC framework—Co-benefits, Linkages, Inclusion, and Connectivities—to guide interventions. At the starting point, Brașov’s initiatives did not fully integrate environmental, economic, and social sustainability goals (Ind. 1). For example, food education and short food chains advanced social and economic benefits but had limited environmental impact.

Trade-offs (Ind. 3) were also identified, such as balancing affordability with support for local producers. Urban–rural connections were moderately strong, with 75% of interventions engaging both areas (Ind. 5). However, only half of initiatives targeted both production and consumption (Ind. 4), and participation of vulnerable groups in co-design processes remained limited (Ind. 9/14).

Action-Learning Approach

In Brașov the approach integrates reflexive learning cycles (RLCs) to continuously evaluate and adapt interventions (Ind. 22). For instance, food market accessibility in Bartolomeu Nord was improved based on community feedback, and food education methods were adapted for better engagement.

Solutions are co-developed by policymakers, researchers, and citizens (Ind. 25), for example, digital training for small producers. Scaling pilot projects such as mobile food stalls has expanded the reach of interventions (Ind. 27). Stakeholder training and the integration of food policy into broader governance frameworks further strengthen Brașov’s learning capacity (Ind. 28, 29).

Science-Policy-Practice Innovation

The creation of the Food Policy Network (FPN) marks a shift from fragmented governance to a coordinated model (Ind. 33). The network brings together stakeholders from governance, academia, business, and civil society, though representation of vulnerable groups is still developing (Ind. 34).

Transilvania University of Brașov leads the research component (Ind. 46) and contributes to national and EU projects that support food system transformation. Collaborative platforms foster knowledge exchange across sectors (Ind. 47).

Policy and Planning Integration

Brașov is aligning its strategies with international frameworks such as the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (Ind. 48). Food-sensitive measures are being integrated into planning documents, including the Metropolitan Zonal Spatial Plan (PATZM) and school food procurement policies (Ind. 50, 51). Though still at an early stage, these efforts show promising alignment between local action and higher-level governance objectives.

Conclusion

Brașov’s indicator-based evaluation highlights both progress and challenges. The city is advancing food system transformation through adaptive, multi-actor, and evidence-informed interventions. Strong institutional commitment and an evolving governance structure provide a solid foundation for more integrated, sustainable change. FoodCLIC plays an active role in this process by providing the frameworks, tools, and collaborative platform that help all FoodCLIC living labs including Brașov design, test, and scale its food system innovations.

- Written by our guest authors and consortium members from Transilvania University of Brașov and the City of Brașov.

Publishing date: 26 August 2025