Building awareness of plant health starts in childhood. By helping children discover why healthy plants are essential for our food, our environment and our future, we can inspire a new generation to care for the world around them.

With this objective, more than 70 children aged 3 to 12, attending the summer camp organised by Birbalandia and Fustal Friends Giovinazzo, took part in an educational event in Giovinazzo on 30 July as part of PlantHealth4All, the Horizon Europe project dedicated to increasing public awareness of plant health across Europe.

The morning began with "The Giant Turnip", a children's play performed by Teatro dei Cipis, introducing participants to the values of biodiversity, cooperation and the importance of protecting plants through storytelling.

The programme continued with Franco Valentini, Scientific Administrator at CIHEAM Bari and expert in plantpathology, who introduced children to the fascinating world of the "plant doctors". Through simple experiments, demonstrations and interactive discussions, participants discovered how researchers protect plants from pests and diseases and why healthy plants are essential for food security, biodiversity, environmental sustainability and everyday life.

PlantHealth4All is a two-year European project coordinated by the BenakiPhytopathological Institute (Greece), with partners CREA and CIHEAM Bari (Italy) and IVIA (Spain). Through communication campaigns, educational activities, citizenengagement and public events, the project aims to strengthen public understanding of the importance of plant health and its close connection with human health and the environment.

The event also provided an opportunity to promote the EuropeanResearchers' Night, whichwill take place on 25 September in Bari, inviting children and their families to continue discovering the world of science and plant health through interactive activities and meetings with researchers.