Social Bugs - Seizing the potential of insect farming to boost social and solidarity economy
▶Summary
Social Bugs aims to create an innovation ecosystem that links social and solidarity economy with the edible insect industry. Inspired by case studies of cross-sectoral collaboration between the in...
▶Objectives
Social Bugs aims to create an innovation ecosystem that links social and solidarity economy with the edible insect industry. Inspired by case studies of cross-sectoral collaboration between the insect market and SSE, the Consortium aims to develop innovative and future-oriented VET curriculums to equip vulnerable citizens with insect farming skills, increasing their access to employment in the edible insect farming, as well as increase the creation of social businesses in the insect industry.
▶Activities
A comparative overview on partner countries’ regulations on edible insect market and SSE Case studies of linking edible insects industry with SSE Setup 3 small insect farms Development of a CVET for social entrepreneurs in the insect industry & train 36 social entrepreneurs. Development of a VET on insect farming, training 120 vulnerable citizens 4 study visits 1 Community of Practice to enable peer-learning 2 Training of Trainers, upskilling 28 trainers in total 1 Final Conference
▶Impact
1 study on cross-sectoral collaboration between the insect market and SSE 3 small insect farms 1 Continuous VET programme to set-up a social insect business 1 Guide to start a social business in the insect industry 1 VET on insect farming We expect to contribute to an edible insect industry growth driven by social objectives, values of solidarity, and the primacy of people over capital, also enhancing the EU citizens awareness and acceptability towards edible insects as a novel food.