How European Researchers Shape Future Sustainable Food Systems
Session Chairs: Anet Režek Jambrak & Hugo de Vries

The new European framework program for research and innovation is called Horizon Europe. Herein, a new instrument is launched, called 'Partnerships', which are foreseen to play a crucial role in the Green Deal, Farm-to-Fork Objectives, and, overall, the transition towards sustainable societies. One of the Partnerships is called Sustainable Food Systems, providing interesting, new research topics for the food communities. This will be elucidated by Daniela Lüth from the European Commission. Next, an overview will be given of the first inter-disciplinary research activities in food systems by Silvia Scaramuzzi (University of Florence) that will serve as sources of inspiration for others. Whether or not current research & innovation projects are sufficiently well in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is discussed by Brijesh Tiwari (Teagasc). Finally, Lucas Grob (Swissfoodresearch) will guide us through the world of startups and innovators in food research; thanks to their creativity and actions, dreams are put in practice.

Horizon Europe’s strategic partnerships and how to create sustainable food systems
Daniela Lüth, Policy Officer at DG Research and Innovation, Unit Bioeconomy and Food Systems, European Commission
The presentation “Horizon Europe’s strategic partnerships and how to create sustainable food systems” will outline the foreseen Horizon Europe Partnerships landscape and milestones. It will focus on the foreseen Partnership “Sustainable Food Systems for People, Planet and Climate”, it’s key objectives and possible involvement, policy linkages and connections to other European activities.

Mapping food systems research and innovation actions and needs in Europe. A SCAR portfolio analysis of EU-funded projects
Silvia Scaramuzzi DAGRI, University of Florence (I); SCAR FS Thematic Support Team Coordinator
The EU Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) is leading a co-creation process for the identification of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) and Partnership proposal. In particular, the “SCAR Food Systems Strategic Working Group” (SCAR FS SWG) is now in charge of promoting and guiding this process, with the active involvement of relevant European stakeholder groups. This study, funded by the European Commission to support the SCAR activities, contributes to the development of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, through the realization of a portfolio analysis. In the lens of a new Food System approach, on the one side, it identifies EU-funded R&I projects (Horizon2020 and beyond) achievements and gaps in sustaining Food Systems transition, on the other side it evidences major R&I needs, proposing valuable directions for public and private stakeholders to enhance their R&I projects.

Are current R&I projects sufficiently well in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?
Brijesh Tiwari, Teagasc, Ireland
Agri-food research and innovation activities in the EU are primarily focusing on a carbon-neutral EU which is also aligned with the SDGs 2030. However, the gaps exist which can be addressed by capitalization on previously funded research program and translation of research findings to industry to maximize the impact.

Startups and innovators in food research - creativity and actions in line with sustainability
Lucas Grob (Swiss Food Research)
How is the innovation ecosystem changing? Problem-centred smart solutions are sought to help us change towards a more sustainable future. In the dynamic field of innovation, bringing research to a viable market product, a new generation is arising.

After the presentations, the speakers will be available for a panel discussion involving the audience.

This seminar is part of the series  'Sustainable Food Systems: Connecting Expertise in Academia and Industry'  organized by the  EFFoST Working Group on Sustainable Food Systems. The seminar series aims to provide detailed insights into various facets of sustainability in the food sector. The seminars will include expert talks, practical indications from industry professionals, as well as short presentations from selected early-stage researchers.

Scientific board of seminar series: Felix Schottroff, Henry Jäger, Arthur Robin, Kelly Fourtouni, Sergiy Smetana, Anet Režek Jambrak, and Hugo de Vries.