CLYMACT, second day in Bologna: dialogue on the right to food, sustainability, and global inequalities

On Wednesday, 22 October 2025, the European project CLYMACT – Youth and Local Authorities for Climate Action continued its activities in Bologna, with a day of discussions focused on the right to food, sustainable production, food waste reduction, and global inequalities.

The day began at the Council Hall of the Metropolitan City of Bologna, in Via Zamboni 13, where youth delegations were welcomed by Franco Cima, Metropolitan Councillor for European Affairs, and Eder Groli, representative of SIS – Società Italiana Sementi.

In his speech, Cima highlighted the importance of recognising access to healthy and nutritious food as a fundamental human right, enshrined in the Statute of the Metropolitan City of Bologna under the principle of “ius cibi”.

The dialogue with the young participants was immediately lively and engaging. Questions directed at the councillor focused on concrete local policies for addressing food inequality. Alice Vecchi, Mayor of Bentivoglio, also intervened, recalling the activitis managed by Unione Reno Galliera and also the experience of the Emporio Solidale in Pieve di Cento—visited by the group the day before—as a local model of response to food insecurity.

The discussion revealed the complexity of the topic: going beyond charitable approaches and moving toward structural and transformative interventions is key to addressing the root causes of inequality—an effort that necessarily touches broader social dimensions such as immigration and economic justice.

The second morning talk, led by SIS – Società Italiana Sementi, focused on the role of technological innovation in agriculture. Eder Groli provided an updated overview of the evolution of the primary sector, pointing out a current paradox: increased agricultural productivity does not automatically lead to improved access to food, especially for the most vulnerable populations.

SIS reaffirmed its global commitment to promote greater food self-sufficiency, particularly in disadvantaged areas, through scientific tools and new technologies. Once again, the questions posed by the young participants showed knowledge and curiosity, confirming how food poverty, sustainability, and climate change are deeply interconnected.

The morning concluded with another session of working groups, which had started the previous day.

For lunch, the group gathered at Cucine Popolari del Battiferro.

Sharing a meal with the European delegations proved to be one of the most meaningful moments of the entire event: a living expression of solidarity and togetherness that illustrated, far better than words could, the true essence of “community.”

The young participants and local administrators from five European countries warmly expressed their gratitude for the daily dedication of the Cucine Popolari and for its inspiring example of active citizenship in support of society’s most vulnerable and marginalized people.

In the afternoon, at the Katia Bertasi Municipality Hall (Navile District), a session was held with Professor Andrea Segrè, expert in food waste policies and founder of the "Spreco Zero" (Zero Waste) campaign.

Segrè stressed the urgency of reducing food waste throughout the supply chain and promoting more conscious and solidaristic consumption models. The event also featured Federica Mazzoni, President of the Navile District Council, who brought the city's greetings and emphasised the importance of territorial alliances to ensure equitable and dignified food access.

The day ended with a second round of thematic working tables and a short collective debriefing session.

Farewell — and see you in Greece…

On Thursday, 23 October, as the delegations departed, the Italian stage of CLYMACT officially came to a close. Over three days of meetings, visits, and workshops, participants built new international connections and exchanged concrete ideas to fight food poverty and support more inclusive, sustainable local policies.

During this Italian stage, a twinning pre-agreement was also signed between Unione Reno Galliera and the Spanish city of Mislata, in the presence of Mayor Carlos Fernández Bielsa and the mayors of the municipalities belonging to the Unione.

The next event will take place in Greece, from 24 to 27 November 2025, with a focus on energy poverty.