The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that the indirect costs of the agricultural and food system at a global level will amount to around 10% of global gross domestic product in 2020 (FAO 2023). This amounts to around 11.7 trillion euros, which is caused by avoidable, man-made factors such as greenhouse gas and nitrogen emissions, unhealthy eating habits and food waste.

The consideration of Health in All Policies (HiAP) and Health for All Policies (H4AP) in the agricultural and food systems and the consideration of synergies and conflicting objectives can lead to win-win solutions. Our network of universities and universities of applied sciences is addressing the questions of how existing gaps can be closed and what a cross-sectoral, multi-level integration of solutions can look like.

The HEAL team's activities in developing project concepts include modelling workshops, visits to living labs for networking, participation in networking events in Brussels and other relevant EU cities, research gap mapping workshops and the organization of research proposals.

The project “Health-oriented Agri-Food Systems Transformation Network” (HEAL) has the following objectives:

1. lay the foundations for a Baden-Württemberg-based international network of stakeholders in the health, agriculture and food sectors
2. Development of  the network so that it positions research and experience on economic and social transformation at the forefront to promote regional, national and international discussions and actions for a just and sustainable health-oriented transformation of agricultural and food systems
3. strengthening Baden-Württemberg's research in the EU and contributing to the state's innovative capacity