The aim of the project is to strengthen the capacity of food aid organizations to diversify their supply both quantitatively and qualitatively: whether they belong to the non-profit or public sector, whether they provide emergency aid free of charge or with financial participation, such as Social and Solidarity Grocery Stores The consortium sought to support and train leaders through a collective dynamic. Specifically, the goal was to analyze European best practices, identify and understand innovative supply approaches, enhance the skills of leaders, and then disseminate these practices across public-private food aid networks. The project also aimed to align these developments with environmental priorities, going beyond waste reduction to integrate more sustainable supply sources (short supply chains, organic, bulk). In terms of inclusion, the intention was to strengthen the participation of all stakeholders, particularly beneficiaries. To achieve these objectives, ECHOP produced four deliverables: a gallery of European role models, a methodological guide, an online training program, and a White Paper.
Active applied for the Erasmus+ program for the first time as the pilot of the ECHOP project, bringing fifteen years of experience supporting volunteer and salaried leaders in the food aid sector in transforming their socio-economic models. Faced with an increasing number of beneficiaries, growing complexity of situations, higher demands for quality and product diversity, and the need for new supply sources, organizations must now cooperate sustainably with a wide range of stakeholders. In a European context shaped by the FSE+, the European Green Deal, the “Farm to Fork” strategies, the circular economy, and the SDGs, it has become essential to support leaders in understanding these frameworks and ensuring a regular and sustainable supply. To meet these needs, a consortium was formed to develop accessible tools aimed at professionalizing practices. ECHOP thus strengthens the skills of leaders, consolidates their models, improves cooperation, and contributes to guaranteeing the fundamental right to food for the most vulnerable.