By Dr. Irene Christoforidi (Hellenic Mediterranean University) and Dr. Somaye Latifi (Austrian Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research)
On October 17-18, Brussels hosted the COST Connect event, “Agriculture and Its Products.” This gathering brought together policymakers, stakeholders, and more than 40 researchers from 20 COST Actions to discuss agricultural research and policies. Prof. António Manuel Teixeira Monteiro from the University of Lisbon, Dr. Irene Christoforidi from the Hellenic Mediterranean University and Dr. Somaye Latifi from the Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research (BAB) represented MARGISTAR at the event.
Defining the Missions of COST Connect’s “Agriculture and Its Products”
COST Connect was a networking event that brought together researchers active in relevant COST Actions as well as several stakeholders and policy makers who focus on the topics of agriculture and food. During the event, participants exchanged views and made new connections with professional acquaintances in the broad field of agriculture, food, and its products.
The event began with an introductory session led by Bart Veys, Head of the Policy Unit at COST Association. He outlined the objectives and agenda of the event and emphasised that addressing the challenges facing agriculture requires an interdisciplinary and integrated approach based on scientific discoveries and innovative approaches across all disciplines. Following this, four distinguished speakers, Luis Vivas-Alegre (Head of Sector, DG AGRI European Commission), Henriette Christensen (Executive Director, Agro-Ecology Europe), Ivan Ivanov (Political Secretary for Agriculture, EFFAT), Paul Sergiu Didicescu (Head of Division, EU CAP Network) and Evi Chatzi (Senior Scientist, CARBONICA, EU funded project) presented the missions and priorities of their respective institutions, addressing important topics such as agricultural policy, sustainable development, strategic plans for agriculture etc.
Networking and Presentations: A Recap of Days 1 and 2
Throughout the first day, representatives from 20 COST Actions presented their projects, providing insight into the ongoing efforts to innovate and address pressing issues in the agricultural sector. During the presentations of various COST Actions, participants had the chance to establish new professional relationships by sharing their experiences and expertise with one another. To further foster connections, the first evening featured a networking dinner, where participants engaged in informal discussions and built valuable connections with colleagues from across Europe
The second day continued with presentations from Antoine Hoxha (Director General, Fertilisers Europe) and Nick Vangheluwe (Manager Research Policy, Euroseeds), each sharing insights into ongoing activities within their institutions. COST Action representatives highlighted several innovative projects aimed at advancing agricultural sustainability. These included initiatives like CA22136, a Pan-European Network of Green Deal Agriculture and Forestry Earth Observation Science (PANGEOS), and CA22142 Root Benefit, which focuses on beneficial root-associated microorganisms to enhance sustainable agriculture. Other notable projects included CA22105 BeSafeBeeHoney, which emphasises biomonitoring for bee safety and honey production, and CA22146 DIVERSICROP, exploring the potential of underutilised crops for sustainable food production.
Connecting through Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration
The event culminated in six interactive discussion sessions centred around key questions in agricultural policy and research. Participants divided into groups to tackle these questions, each group then presenting their findings and insights. The event concluded with a summary session, where representatives highlighted the outcomes of the discussions and the collaborative achievements of the two-day event. Among the main takeaways, new synergy proposals emerged, particularly involving collaborations with MARGISTAR, with many scientists expressing interest in joining its active consortium. These proposed collaborations underscored the event’s success in fostering connections and aligning research efforts across COST Actions.
Dr. Somaye Dr. Latifi, Prof. António Manuel Teixeira Monteiro, and Dr. Irene Christoforidi represented MARGISTAR at the COST Connect event
This event was not only a platform to present research, but also an opportunity to make new connections. By emphasising collaboration and multidisciplinary dialogue, the event created opportunities for participants to work together, exchange views and build long-term partnerships.
