The EIT Food RIS Consumer Engagement Labs are pre-competitive co-creation sessions carried out by a group of consumers (selected based on specific segmentation criteria) in a joint place and limited in time, focused on ideation and development of new product concepts. They operate under the European Institute of Technology (EIT Food) Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS), which was introduced in 2014 in order to boost the innovation performance of countries with moderate or modest innovation scores as defined by the European Innovation Scoreboard. The RIS is steered by the EIT and implemented through the EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). ACG-RC has participated, since June 2022, through the ACG150 Center of Excellence in Food, Tourism and Leisure (CoEFTL ), led by Prof. Athanasios Krystallis and implemented by Dr. Toula Perrea, member of the CoEFTL.
For the EIT Food CEL 2022, the process involved local food service providers and packaging companies, helping identify potential improvements in meal packaging to promote sustainability and circularity in the sector. The CoEFTL coordinated activities of the consortium that represent Greece — Dipnosofistirion, caterer of the ACG Aghia Paraskevi campus, and packaging company Merla Packaging. Their work focused on developing new packaging concepts and addressing the challenges of sustainability and of circular economy. The Project was implemented via the interactive methodology of Labs, using designing thinking and gamification to engage consumers, stimulating creativity and fostering the acceptance of new products. The Labs in 2022 took into consideration specific requirements of consumers related to takeaway food, such as meals ordered from restaurants, catering providers, or food delivery services.
