CIHEAM Bari actively contributed to two strategic European food policy events held in Brussels in March, strengthening its role in shaping sustainable food systems policy across Europe.

On 6 March, the FOOD 2030 and BEYOND Workshop 'Competitive, Sustainable, and Resilient Food Systems' brought together more than 90 stakeholders to highlight achievements and explore future solutions, research and innovation directions within the Food 2030 framework. The workshop featured 11 moderated discussion tables addressing key issues on the future of FOOD 2030, with a focus on EU policy priorities and closing the innovation gap for sustainable food systems. Dr Maroun El Moujabber (CIHEAM Bari) was the rapporteur of one of these tables.

The following day, 7 March, CIHEAM Bari continued its engagement by attending the third meeting of the Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) in Brussels. The meeting focused on advancing three priority actions identified by the group, including the support of RefreSCAR for the analysis of studies and portfolios, collaboration with the FutureFoodS partnership, and preparations for the next EU Framework Programme (FP10).

Several topics were addressed during the meeting, including updates on the European Commission’s perspectives, the potential contributions of BIOEAST, ongoing activities and actions within the FutureFoodS partnership framework, and strategies to accelerate and monitor the transformation of food systems.

In particular, Maroun El Moujabber (CIHEAM Bari), as the referent for the international dimension of food systems within the SCAR Food Systems Strategic Working Group (SWG), participated in the conference and emphasised the importance of identifying the impacts of food systems and their linkages with trade. He highlighted the need to consider three key pillars: policies, funding opportunities, and projects in various critical areas such as food security, food sovereignty, agricultural markets, food environments, and food procurement, among others.