Our Methodologies

FFI’s methodologies are deeply rooted in an Integral Ecological Approach and Prosperity Thinking.

• Integral Ecological Development is premised on the understanding that the profound interconnectivity of Earth's systems demands an integrated approach to catalyze change. It recognizes food as sustenance and a conduit of values, culture, identity, and social bonds, serving as a pivot for initiating integral ecological regeneration. This approach aims to weave human, political, environmental, cultural, economic, and social dimensions to foster widespread prosperity. We have consolidated and enriched a model of integral ecological development – implemented in Pollica, the birthplace of the Mediterranean Diet. The Mediterranean Diet, recognized since 2010 as a UNESCO World Heritage but, for millennia, a lifestyle supporting environmental protection and health care to catalyze widespread prosperity – serves as a model for scalable and applicable integral ecological development globally (For further insight, please visit our page in Cities 2030). Reflecting these core values, the project Pollica 2050-Mediterranean Living, initiated in 2021, encapsulates integral ecological development by leveraging the Mediterranean Diet to foster overall well-being and environmental stewardship. This initiative has been presented as a case study in the T20/G20 India’s Livable Cities for the Future report, demonstrating its viability as a scalable model for sustainable urban resilience in harmony with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Prosperity Thinking is an advanced methodology that extends beyond traditional Design Thinking and System Thinking by integrating a deep understanding of ecological constraints and human needs. It's an approach that reimagines the design process to prioritize sustainable and inclusive prosperity, balancing economic growth with social and environmental health. The Future Food Institute adopts Prosperity Thinking to cultivate innovations that are not only technologically effective but also culturally inclusive and environmentally sustainable. This approach is a strategic fit for us, aligning with our commitment to integral ecological development and community empowerment. It seeks a cultural shift towards a holistic form of progress, ensuring that the prosperity we create today does not hinder future generations. Prosperity Thinking propels us to act as systemic change agents and foster a world where development harmonizes with the Earth's ecological limits and the collective well-being of society.

For further insight, please find our key publications on the topic here:

• Vignoli, M., Roversi, S., Jatwani, C., and Tiriduzzi, M. 2021. “Human-Centered and Planet-Centered Approach: Prosperity Thinking in Action”. Proceedings of the Design Society 1: 1797-1806. doi:10.1017/pds.2021.441
• Vignoli, M., Roversi, S., Jatwani, C., Tiriduzzi, M., and Finocckì, C. “Evolving the “How Might We?' Tool to Include Planetary Boundaries”. In Proceedings of the International Design Conference – DESIGN 2022. https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2022.118