The Urban soil for food project addresses the challenge of internal waste consumption in cities (biological and mineral). A useful product will be created from this waste within the framework of the project - soil, which will later be used to meet the needs of the city of Maribor: in food production, in city parks and construction. At the same time, the project introduces an urban food chain and uses open innovation processes to support innovative companies in the circular economy of the urban area. The project ends with the certification of internationally standardized soil, trainings, seminars and study visits. The project will be implemented through four interrelated technical work packages: material circle, food circle, open innovation circle and knowledge circle, supported by two key investments: the establishment of a pilot system for urban soil production and the establishment of urban gardens. The key innovative product will be standardized and internationally certified urban soil.
The project will transform the current traditional waste-based society into a circular-oriented economy, proud of the achievements of the circular economy and active in the process of achieving the circular economy. If successful, the project will represent one of the strongest practical examples of the circular economy in the EU due to the systemic horizontal approach of closing urban circles and the creative involvement of citizens. It will demonstrate to policy makers the importance of engaging with the circular economy at the horizontal level and in the urban area.
