During the FutureFoodS Governing Board & Partners Meeting, CIHEAM Bari opens its doors to researchers, policymakers, funding agencies, project coordinators and international stakeholders through a series of thematic guided tours designed to showcase how innovation contributes to the transformation of food systems.
For these three days, CIHEAM Bari become a meeting point for the European food systems community, welcoming 140 participants from across the continent. The event brings together 84 FutureFoodS representatives, 35 SCAR members, 20 project coordinators and a representative of the European Commission, alongside other prominent stakeholders. With 70 consortium partners and 34 funding agencies represented in person, the meeting is set to highlight the scale of the FutureFoodS network and its commitment to building collaborative solutions for the future of food.
Among the key moments of the event is the meeting of the SCAR (Standing Committee on Agricultural Research) Food Systems Working Group, which brings together 35 representatives from across Europe alongside policymakers, researchers and institutional stakeholders engaged in shaping the future of food systems. The Working Group provides an important platform for dialogue between research, policy and society, promoting the exchange of knowledge and the development of coordinated strategies to support the transition towards more sustainable, resilient, healthy and inclusive food systems. Its presence within the FutureFoodS Governing Board & Partners Meeting further strengthens the connection between European research agendas and policy priorities, reinforcing the role of collaboration in addressing common challenges related to climate change, biodiversity, food security and sustainable development.
The Open Doors initiative offers an immersive journey through the Institute’s core areas of activity, allowing participants to experience first-hand how education, applied research and international cooperation contribute to addressing some of the most pressing challenges facing the Mediterranean and beyond.
Along dedicated thematic pathways, visitors are exploring topics ranging from the sustainable management of water, soil, energy and biodiversity resources to resilient agri-food value chains, nature-based solutions for healthy agroecosystems, capacity building for future generations and international cooperation initiatives supporting sustainable development and food security.
The experience unfold through three thematic pathways focused on learning and capacity building, applied research and living labs, and international cooperation and territorial impact. From laboratories and demonstration fields to innovation platforms, circular bioeconomy solutions and Mediterranean cooperation projects, participants will discover how scientific knowledge is translated into practical solutions and real-world transformation.
By opening its campus, CIHEAM Bari seeks to turns research into a shared experience and offers a living demonstration of the FutureFoodS vision: bringing together knowledge, innovation and people to accelerate the transition towards sustainable, resilient, healthy and inclusive food systems.
The international dimension of the initiative is reflected in the participation of delegates from 24 countries, including Belgium, Finland, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Ireland, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, Norway, Romania, Estonia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Portugal, Türkiye, Croatia, Serbia, Lithuania and Greece.
Through the exchange of expertise and the promotion of dialogue between research, policy and society, supported also by the contribution of the SCAR Food Systems Working Group, CIHEAM Bari aims to reinforce its role as a Mediterranean hub for knowledge exchange, science diplomacy, innovation and international cooperation, contributing to the collective effort to shape the next generation of sustainable food systems. With participants from 24 countries across Europe and the Mediterranean, the initiative highlights the importance of coordinated action and shared strategies for the transformation of food systems at regional and European level.
FutureFoodS is an innovative European partnership focused on transforming Europe's food production and consumption towards more sustainable and resilient systems. This partnership brings together leading experts, research institutions, businesses and policymakers to develop joint solutions to the complex challenges facing our food systems, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and food security. Discover more: https://www.futurefoodspartnership.eu/
