A Study on Food Waste & Donations

Food waste is a significant issue in the EU, with millions of tons of edible food discarded annually. In an effort to address this, Pro Publico connected Wageningen University student Diane Smits with legal experts from Reed Smith to help transform her academic thesis on food donations into a practical policy proposal. The goal? To enhance the EU’s legal framework, creating stronger incentives for businesses to donate surplus food rather than waste it.

Tackling Food Waste Through Legal Reform

As a master’s student at Wageningen University, Diane’s research focused on how the EU’s legal framework could be improved to encourage food donations. However, translating academic research into actionable policy required expert legal guidance. To bridge this gap, Diane reached out to Pro Publico, which specializes in connecting social innovators with pro bono legal support to turn impactful ideas into real-world change.

Pro Publico’s Role in Facilitating the Collaboration

Pro Publico is dedicated to empowering NGOs, researchers and social innovators by connecting them with pro bono legal expertise. In this case, Pro Publico matched Diane with Reed Smith, a leading international law firm with extensive expertise in EU law. This partnership was critical to refining Diane’s thesis into a policy paper with a proven legal basis.

Reed Smith’s Legal Support: A Collaborative Approach

Reed Smith dedicated to this project a pro bono team led by senior associate Jesse De Bruyn and junior associate Anna Golouchko, and supervised by partner Wim Vandenberghe. They provided fresh legal insights, ensuring recommendations were both practical and legally feasible. The team worked with Diane to draft a position paper and conduct a feasibility study, making sure her ideas could realistically influence EU legislative reform.

The collaboration began with Diane presenting a detailed presentation that outlined her thesis and the broader food waste issue within the EU legal context. The Reed Smith team then offered feedback, highlighting areas where her recommendations could be strengthened and where potential legal challenges might arise. Their expertise helped narrow down her academic research into a set of focused, actionable recommendations.

Final Deliverables and Impact

With Reed Smith’s support, Diane’s position paper and feasibility study became valuable tools for policymakers. These deliverables not only ensured her proposals were legally sound but also aligned with the practical needs of legislative stakeholders. Diane now plans to strategically promote the position paper to relevant actors within the EU, with the ultimate goal of influencing policies that will reduce food waste across Europe.

Reflections on the Collaboration

Reflecting on the experience, Diane shared, “The Reed Smith team became an extension of my own capabilities. Their insights ensured my proposals were not only practical but legally viable.” Despite initial challenges, the collaboration exceeded expectations, providing Diane with the expertise she needed to make a real impact. The team at Reed Smith also appreciated the collaboration. “Diane was always well-prepared, and her feedback helped refine our approach. It was a rewarding intellectual exchange,” the team shared.

How Pro Publico Made It Happen

Pro Publico’s matchmaking service played a crucial role in making this project possible. By connecting Diane with the right experts and offering ongoing support, Pro Publico helped ensure her research didn’t go to waste but instead became a driving force for policy change in the fight against food waste.

Are you working on sustainability initiatives in Europe? Do you need pro bono legal assistance to bring your ideas to life? Get in touch with Pro Publico, and we can connect you with the right partners to support your mission.

Thanks to @Jesse De Bruyn @Anna Golouchko @Wim Vandenberghe @Charels Sauvage @ReedSmith @Diane Smits @WageningenUniversity @Francesco Zatelli @ProPublico

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