The Projet Alimentaire Territorial du Cœur du Hainaut is a territorial food-policy initiative in Wallonia, focused on the Centre and Mons-Borinage areas. It brings together producers, distributors, public authorities, associations, educators, citizens, and other stakeholders to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable food system. The initiative is built on a collaborative governance model that grew out of the earlier "Alimentation durable au Cœur du Hainaut" project and the Conseil de politique alimentaire (CPA). It positions itself as a practical, collective framework for diagnosing local food-system challenges, co-constructing solutions, and supporting concrete actions that improve access to quality food, strengthen local supply chains, and relocalize food production and consumption. Key Offerings Territorial food governance and coordination : The CPA and later PAT structure convene stakeholders, organize plenary meetings and working groups, and provide a shared framework for dialogue, coordination, and collective action. Local food-system diagnostics and analysis : The initiative has produced a local food-system diagnosis and related mapping and analysis work to better understand territorial needs, actors, and priorities. Support for local transition actions : Through calls for projects and collective initiatives, it supports local actions that advance sustainable food transition, including awareness, access, and supply-chain initiatives. Events and mobilization activities : It organizes and coordinates public and professional events such as the Nourrir festival, discovery days, debates, networking sessions, and thematic meetings. Awareness and educational tools : It develops and shares pedagogical and communication tools such as an escape game, didactic panels, exhibitions, a quiz, a map of local food assets, and a podcast series. Core Values Sustainability : The initiative consistently frames its work around building a food system that is environmentally, socially, and economically more sustainable. Accessibility : A recurring priority is ensuring that everyone can access quality, durable food, including through social and geographic accessibility. Collaboration : Its governance model relies on collective intelligence, dialogue, and cooperation across the food chain and with public institutions. Local resilience : It emphasizes relocalizing food, strengthening short supply chains, and supporting local producers and food actors. Knowledge-sharing : The project values mutual learning, shared tools, and the dissemination of practical solutions and good practices. Unique Aspects Built from a long-running territorial process : The PAT is the continuation of a multi-year dynamic that began with the "Alimentation durable au Cœur du Hainaut" project and led to the creation of the CPA. Broad multi-actor governance : The CPA brought together around fifty actors from across the food system, including producers, processors, distributors, local authorities, associations, institutions, teachers, and citizens. Concrete territorial experimentation : The initiative has tested and deployed practical tools and formats, including an escape game, didactic panels, a local food map, and themed public events. Strong local anchoring in two regions : Its work is rooted in the Centre and Mons-Borinage areas, covering the 25 municipalities of the Cœur du Hainaut territory. Recognized by Wallonia in 2026 : The PAT was officially recognized by Wallonia in 2026, marking a new phase of implementation after the CPA cycle.
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