The Interreg Alpine Space project “Circular Economy: Mapping Food Streams and Identifying Potentials to Close the Food Cycle” (CEFoodCycle), led by Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (FH Salzburg), has been awarded the Europe State Prize 2026 in the category “Transforming Europe”. The award ceremony took place on 6 May 2026 at the Austrian Federal Chancellery in Vienna.
The Europe State Prize recognizes outstanding initiatives that strengthen the European idea and contribute innovative solutions to Europe’s future. The Interreg Alpine Space project CEFoodCycle was honored for addressing one of today’s most pressing challenges: reducing food waste and advancing the transition toward a circular food economy.
During the award ceremony, Austrian Minister for Europe Claudia Bauer emphasized that projects like CEFoodCycle play a vital role in making the European idea tangible in everyday life and in developing innovative solutions to current challenges. The recognition with the Europe State Prize underscores the importance of transnational cooperation, scientific innovation, and applied research in achieving the European Union’s goals—from resource efficiency and climate protection to economic resilience.
CEFoodCycle demonstrates how collaborative efforts across borders and disciplines can deliver concrete, scalable solutions that contribute meaningfully to a more sustainable and circular European economy.