The international research project “Circular Economy: Mapping Food Streams and Identifying Potentials to Close the Food Cycle” (CEFoodCycle), coordinated by Salzburg University of Applied Sciences, was awarded the European State Prize 2026 in the category “Shaping Europe” on 6 May 2026 at the Federal Chancellery in Vienna. The award recognises outstanding initiatives that strengthen the European idea and make innovative contributions to the future of Europe.
The award‑winning Interreg Alpine Space project CEFoodCycle addresses one of the key challenges of our time: reducing food waste and driving the transition towards a circular food system. The concept of the circular economy was applied to the entire food value chain – from production and use through to disposal. In addition, the digital tool “FoodCycle.ai” was developed to support companies along the food value chain in reducing food waste and reusing resources. The EU‑funded Interreg Alpine Space project brought together stakeholders through five regional “Circular Food Hubs” in Austria, Slovenia, Italy, France and Germany, including farmers, retailers, energy producers and social organisations. The FH Salzburg team also worked closely with the University of Salzburg and, at the national level, with the Austrian Institute of Ecology in Vienna.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
A key success factor of CEFoodCycle was the close interdisciplinary collaboration between the Departments of Business and Tourism and Information Technologies and Digitalisation at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. This cooperation enabled the development of an intelligent, data‑driven system for analysing and optimising food flows. While the Department of IT provided the technological foundations—particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and data analysis—the Department of Business and Tourism contributed expertise in value chains, business models and stakeholder management.
Results and Innovations
The key outcomes of the project were presented to a broader audience in autumn 2025:
- FoodCycle.ai – Digital Decision Platform:
At the core of the project is the decision‑support tool FoodCycle.ai, which helps companies, municipalities and organisations to analyse food surpluses, identify utilisation options and connect partners along the value chain. - Circular Food Hubs:
Regional circular centres (Circular Food Hubs) were established in five Alpine regions. These hubs act as platforms for innovation, knowledge transfer and collaboration between agriculture, industry, the hospitality sector and consumers. - International Networking and Knowledge Transfer:
In addition, best practice examples, studies, podcasts and training materials were developed and made freely accessible, supporting companies and the wider public in implementing sustainable measures.
Significance for Europe
At the award ceremony on 6 May in Vienna, Minister for European Affairs Claudia Bauer emphasised that projects such as CEFoodCycle play a crucial role in making the European idea tangible in everyday life and in identifying new solutions to current challenges.
The European State Prize highlights how transnational cooperation, innovation and science can make a concrete contribution to achieving the goals of the European Union—from resource efficiency and climate protection to economic resilience.
More information: https://www.alpine-space.eu/project/cefoodcycle/ and www.foodcycle.ai
About the European State Prize
The European State Prize has been awarded annually by the Austrian Federal Government since 2015. It recognises projects that promote European awareness, drive innovation and contribute to cooperation across Europe. An independent jury evaluates the submissions based on criteria such as effectiveness, sustainability, innovative strength and societal impact.
The winning projects of the European State Prize 2026 were selected based on factors including their effectiveness in reaching new target groups, sustainability, innovative strength and creativity, as well as their multiplier effects.