BigPicnic was a three year EU funded Horizon 2020 project that brought together the public, scientists, policy-makers and industry to help tackle the global challenge of food security. Through a series of co-created events and exhibitions botanic gardens generated dialogue and built a greater understanding of food security.

BigPicnic resources

BigPicnic recommendations

Using the BigPicnic project data, a series of policy briefs were developed. There are six BigPicnic policy briefs. Four aim to support policy makers to shape future food policies and funding frameworks and two seek to support informal learning sites to apply the learning that occurred throughout the project. To highlight where BigPicnic findings link to existing frameworks and illuminate gaps in current policy, each policy brief maps the BigPicnic recommendations to the most relevant United Nations Sustainibility Goals (SDGs) and the European Union’s Food 2030 Priorities.

Quality management report

To ensure that a high degree of quality in project delivery was achieved in BigPicnic, rigorous evaluation strategies were developed and employed. The processes and procedures formalised in the project enabled effective, timely and responsible delivery of project objectives. The two processes used were the Process Evaluation Approach and Team-Based Inquiry. Their development, use and outcomes are detailed in the Quality Management report. 

Co-creation Navigator

Throughout BigPicnic partners were trained in applying a co-creation approach. In doing this, BigPicnic Partner, WAAG, developed resources to support organisations to carry out co-creation. These fed into the Co-creation Navigator, a dynamic toolkit which has all the resources and guidance you need to apply co-creation methodologies in your projects.

Science café toolkit

BigPicnic partners ran a total of 102 science cafés throughout the project. These informal science communication events brought together experts and non-experts to discuss food security. Their wide ranging approaches to running these events has been compiled in the BigPicnic toolkit: How to run science cafés, which is also available as a website.

TBI manual

BigPicnic partners used TBI to ensure that exhibitions and science cafés met the needs of the audience as well as to capture the conversations about food security that these activities sparked. This process is documented in the Team-Based Inquiry practitioners’ manual.

Public views and recommendations for RRI on food security

The public opinion captured through BigPicnic exhibitions and science cafés was compiled and analysed and used to produce a report on Public views and recommendations for RRI on food security to support relevant policymaking. This also includes the BigPicnic recommendations.

BigPicnic video: Food stories across continents

In July 2018, Meise Botanic Garden in Belgium visited Tooro Botanical Gardens in Uganda as part of the BigPicnic project. This visit was an opportunity to share experiences and ideas about food security and involvement in the BigPicnic project. Watch the (short) video here. The longer version is available in the resources list below.