🌿Green ERA-Hub in action: working together for smart fertilization, resilient crops and climate-smart livestock

Day 2: Kick-off Meeting of GEH Call 2 Projects

Programme

• 08:45 - 09:00 / Log in & technical check

• 09:00 – 09:10 / Welcome & recap day 1

• 09:10 – 10:45 / Overview of the six call 2 projects: objectives and challenges

• 10:45 – 11:00 / Break

• 11:00 – 11:30 / Keynote by Prof. Erik Mathijs

• 11:30 – 12:15 / Interactive session: Debate/Discussion

• 12:15 – 12:30 / Closing Day 2

Why participate?

The second half of the webinar will introduce the six projects funded under Call 2 of Green ERA-Hub. This half-day session will provide a platform for presenting the objectives, approach, and expected impact of these new projects. There will also be an opportunity to reflect on and discuss collaboration between Call 1 and Call 2 projects.

The session consists of various components: a joint start with a review of Day 1; a substantive block comprising project presentations from the Call 2 projects; a keynote lecture; and an interactive session in which participants will discuss collaboration and synergies. There will be opportunities for questions, reflection, and the exchange of ideas during this session.

The format supports familiarisation with the new projects and encourages connections between researchers from both calls. Special attention will be paid to themes such as climate-smart agriculture, soil health, emission reduction and systems thinking.

Keynote speaker Prof. Mathijs

Prof. Mathijs specialises in sustainable agriculture, food transitions and the bioeconomy. His keynote will focus on how systems thinking and policy can support the transition to climate-resilient and economically viable agri-food systems.

🔗 Read more about Prof. Mathijs

🌿Green ERA-Hub in action: working together for smart fertilization, resilient crops and climate-smart livestock

Day 1: Mid-term Evaluation of the Call 1 Projects

Programme

• 08:45 - 09:00 / Login & technical check

• 09:00 – 09:10 / Welcome & introduction

• 09:10 – 09:45 / Keynote by Prof. Jacqueline Broerse

• 09:45 – 10:30 / GEH-mission & project pitches

• 10:30 – 10:45 / Break

• 10:45 – 12:15 / Breakout sessions

• 12:15 – 12:30 / Closing Day 1

Why participate?

The first half of the webinar will be devoted to providing a status update and facilitating a substantive exchange between the ten projects funded under Call 1 of Green ERA-Hub. This half-day session will provide a platform for presenting progress, sharing initial results, and discussing challenges within the projects.

It consists of various components: a joint start with a keynote speech and an overview of the GEH mission, followed by short pitches from the Call 1 projects and an interactive breakout session, where participants will engage in conversation with the project teams. The session will be divided into two parallel rooms, each focusing on specific themes and featuring a selection of projects. In each room, the project teams will give a presentation on their project. There will be an opportunity for questions, feedback and the exchange of ideas during these sessions.

The format supports mutual acquaintance and collaboration between researchers and contributes to reflection on how the projects are contributing to the objectives of Call 1. Particular focus will be given to themes such as nutrient management, circular agriculture, protein supply and climate-smart practices.

Keynote speaker Prof. Broerse

Prof. Broerse is a leading expert in systems thinking, social innovation and inclusive transformation processes. Her keynote will explore how transdisciplinary collaboration and co-creation can drive sustainable change in agriculture and food systems, with a strong link to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

🔗Read more about Prof. Broerse

GEH - FOSC Meeting | Montpellier | 28 May 2025: Policy recommendations and collaboration for forward-looking agricultural research.

On 28 May 2025, the Joint GEH - FOSC Meeting will take place in Montpellier to finalize the guidelines and recommendations for engaging with EU-11, Balkan countries, Mediterranean and African regions, and to strengthen collaboration with the Belmont Forum and Global Research Alliance (GRA).

On the program:

• Informative presentations on European partnerships (such as Agroecology,  Animal Health & Welfare, FutureFoods), initiatives (such as PRIMA, BIOEAST) and ongoing or planned programs (such as Agriculture of Data, CEA FIRST).

• Writing sessions to develop outreach strategies for EU-11, Balkan, Mediterranean, and African regions and recommendations for collaboration with Belmont Forum and GRA.

• Wrap-up and closing remarks.

This event offers a unique opportunity to shape policy recommendations and practical guidelines for broader international engagement in agricultural research and innovation.

Third Annual Socratic Dialogue Event of the GEH

On 2 and 3 April 2025, Wageningen University & Research hosted the 3rd Annual Socratic Dialogue Event of the Green ERA Hub (GEH).

We welcomed around 25 participants on the first day and 22 on the second, representing 11 countries: Albania, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and the Netherlands.

The first day focused on "widening" in research collaboration. The highlight was a series of fruitful dialogues on practical strategies to strengthen international cooperation, reach out to new partners, and overcome barriers in cross-border research. Participants actively shared their experiences and ideas, enriched by inspiring presentations and case studies from Poland, Albania, and Slovakia.

On the second day, participants explored cutting-edge Food and Biobased research. Highlights included presentations by WUR researchers on sustainable food systems and the bioeconomy, followed by a field visit to WUR’s Biobased Research Building. There, participants learned about natural building materials, bioplastics production, and innovations in post-harvest research and robotics at the Phenomea building.

The event concluded with a wrap-up session, capturing key insights and future opportunities for collaboration.

FINAL AGENDA .pdf

Annual socratic dialogues events

Breakfast Club 18: Thursday, September 12th

Prof. Hervé Vanderschuren - Professor Plant Genetics (ULiege) and Tropical Horticulture (KU Leuven), Belgium

Title: Post Harvest losses mitigation by improved plant hEALING

Prof. Daniel Pleissner - Scientific director at the Institute for Food and Environmental Research (ILU), Germany

Title: Decentralized bioprocesses for the conversion of residues with
low climate impact

🧑‍🌾In this webinar, two innovative approaches to enhancing agricultural sustainability are explored. The first presentation discusses strategies for mitigating post-harvest losses through improved plant healing techniques. By focusing on enhancing the natural healing processes in crops, this approach helps to extend shelf life and reduce waste, benefiting both farmers and consumers. 🥒The second topic dives into decentralized bioprocesses for converting agricultural residues with minimal climate impact. These processes enable the local and efficient transformation of residues into valuable products, like bioenergy or fertilizers, while reducing carbon emissions. The seminar highlights how these low-impact technologies can contribute to a circular economy and foster sustainable agricultural practices. Watch to learn about cutting-edge methods for tackling key challenges in food systems and promoting environmental resilience.

The Green ERA Hub Call is open for the submission of proposals that will address “Crop and livestock farming meeting the challenges of climate change”.

A Call Announcement and supporting documents with further information of the Call can be found on: Green Era Hub: Call2 (submission-greenerahub.eu)

• The deadline for pre-registration of proposals is July 31, 12:00h CEST (noon).

• The deadline for full proposal submission is September 5, 12:00h CEST (noon).

Note: There will be a webinar for applicants on 21st of June 2024, 9:30 CEST. You can register for this meeting using the following link:

https://ptj-fzj.webex.com/weblink/register/rba0dc984459f9fe9e613d233905fcbdd

Call documents and submission tool: Green Era Hub: Call2 (submission-greenerahub.eu)

The Green ERA Hub Call is open for the submission of proposals that will address “Crop and livestock farming meeting the challenges of climate change”.

A Call Announcement and supporting documents with further information of the Call can be found on: Green Era Hub: Call2 (submission-greenerahub.eu)

• The deadline for pre-registration of proposals is July 31, 12:00h CEST (noon).

• The deadline for full proposal submission is September 5, 12:00h CEST (noon).

Note: There will be a webinar for applicants on 21st of June 2024, 9:30 CEST. You can register for this meeting using the following link:

https://ptj-fzj.webex.com/weblink/register/rba0dc984459f9fe9e613d233905fcbdd

Call documents and submission tool: Green Era Hub: Call2 (submission-greenerahub.eu)

Breakfast Club 17: Thursday, June 20th

Dr. Eleonora Cominelli - Senior Researcher at the Italian National Research Council (CNR), Italy

Title: BIOfortification of common Bean to promote heaLthy dIEt and
Food security in a context of climatic variation

Prof. Abdelilah Meddich - Professor at Cadi Ayyad University, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Morocco

Title: Innovative biofertilizers boosting yield of cereals and horticultural crops
under global climate change: Toward Sustainability of Agricultural systems against the Climate Change in arid zones

✨🥘Discover how biofortification of common beans can promote a healthy diet and food security in the context of climate variation, alongside 🌱innovative biofertilizers that boost yields of cereals and horticultural crops, advancing sustainable agriculture in arid zones under global climate change.