Upcoming events
Third Annual Socratic Dialogue Event of the GEH
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.
Joint Conference 2024
Joint Conference:Towards New Horizons - Sustainable solutions in Agri-Food and Biotechnology
Breakfast Club 18
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.
Summer School
Assessment of agriculture GHGs with process-based models
Venue: University College Dublin, Dublin 04, Ireland
Outcomes
Fundamentals of biogeochemical processes occurring in agroecosystems and the resultant C and N emissions.
Capacity development for data collection, compilation and synthesis for modelling and reporting.
Hands-on training on the process-based model DNDC for simulation of greenhouse gases & SOC density changes.
Practical experience in the analysis of model outputs and their uses in own research works.
Lecturers
Dr. Ibrahim Khalil, Prudence College Dublin, Ireland
Prof. Bruce Osborne, University College Dublin, Ireland
Prof. Ana Meijde, University of Bonn,Germany
Prof. Peter Dörsch, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Norway
Prof. Mari Philatie, University of Helsinki, Finland
Dr. Katja Klumpp, National Research Institute for Agriculture, France
Dr. Frank Verheijen, University of Aveiro, Portugal
Delivered by: Prudence College Dublin, Dublin 22, Ireland.
Organasid by: TrueSoil: A Transnational Project funded by EJP Soil Through National Funding Agencies
For further information please contact: Dr. Ibrahim Khalil +353 85 785 9546 or i.khalil@prudencecollege.ie
2nd GEH Call: deadline for pre-registration of proposals
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)
2nd GEH Call: Open call
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
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.
Launch of the FutureFoodS EU Partnership
On June 19 2024, more than 100 research and innovation experts convened in Dijon to help support the transition to sustainable food systems by sharing insights, initiatives and joining forces within this partnership.
The kick-off meeting was organised by The French National Research Agency (ANR) and German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE). Special thanks to John Bell of the European Commission, Akiko Suwa-Eisenmann from the United Nations, and all the panellists of the round table representing related initiatives (SCAR, CLEVERFOOD, AGROECOLOGY, WATER4All, ERA4Health) that also contribute to the FutureFoodS partnership.
FutureFoodS, the co-funded partnership on Food Systems under Horizon Europe, the EU R&I programme, brings together 84 partners from 29 countries. The Partnership is expected to mobilise EUR 175 million in European Union contributions, with a total indicative budget of EUR 525 million over the next 7 to 10 years.
The mission of FutureFoodS is to accelerate the transformation of national, EU, and global food systems, ensuring they are safe, sustainable, healthy, resilient, and trusted by all, while respecting planetary boundaries. This initiative aligns with the European Green Deal objective to create fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food systems, from primary production to consumption.
The Partnership has outlined several planned actions, including:
open calls for research and innovation, with the first call expected to be launched by the end of 2024.
Living Labs
a new European food system observatory
multiple knowledge-sharing events
ANR, the French National Research Agency organised the launch event, in collaboration with the German Federal Office for Agriculture and Food. Over 120 attendees participated in person. Discussions covered synergies with other complementary initiatives, such as the Food 2030 policy, Horizon Europe Cluster 6 “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”, the EU Mission “A Soil Deal for Europe”, and the work carried out under the Standing Committee for Agricultural Research (SCAR).
Breakfast Club 16
Breakfast Club 16: Thursday, June 6th
Dr. Ronald Halim - Lecturer/Assistant Professor in the School of Biosystems and Food Engineering at University College Dublin, Ireland
Title: Unlocking the potential of microalgae for the valorisation of brewery waste products into omega-3 rich animal feed and fertilisers
Dr. Antonio Santoro - Senior Research Fellow at the Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Forestry Sciences and Technologies (DAGRI). University of Florence, Italy
Title: Socio-environmental shocks assessment and resilience empowerment in Mediterranean agri-food heritage systems: Italy, Morocco, Algeria FAO GIAHS sites
🥒🍈Discover groundbreaking innovations in agri-food systems! Learn how we're transforming brewery waste into omega-3 rich animal feed with microalgae and building resilience in Mediterranean agricultural heritage. Explore sustainable solutions that enhance food systems and protect our environment. Join us to see how science and sustainability come together for a greener future! 🌏
Breakfast Club 15
Breakfast Club 15: Thursday, May 23rd
Dr. Francesco Gai - Senior Researcher at the National Research Council, Italy
Title: The use of live insect larvae to improve sustainability and animal welfare of organic chicken production
Dr. Parag Acharya - Senior Fellow in Food Innovation, Innovation Growth Manager, Growing Kent & Medway Cluster, UK
Title: Climate smart food innovation using plant and seaweed proteins from
upcycled sources
🐓 🌾 Discover cutting-edge approaches in sustainable agriculture and climate-friendly food innovation. Explore how live insect larvae are transforming organic chicken farming, promoting sustainability, and enhancing animal welfare. Additionally, learn about climate-smart food solutions by unlocking the potential of plant and seaweed proteins derived from upcycled sources. Together, these initiatives contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future in agriculture and food production.🌏
Breakfast Club 14
Breakfast Club 14: Thursday, May 9th
Dr. Monica Mburu - Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Food Bioresources Technology. Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Kenya
Title: Integrated CHIA and oyster Mushroom system for Sustainable food value chain in Africa
Prof. Gökşen Çapar - Full professor and Director of the Water Management Institute. Ankara University, Turkiye
Title: Cross-border climate impacts on food trade between Europe, Africa and Turkiye
🍄Discover how the integration of CHIA and oyster mushroom systems is revolutionizing the food value chain, enhancing resilience, and promoting circularity in agricultural practices🌱 AND 🌐Explore the intricate web of climate impacts on food trade across continents. Join our discussion on the complexities and challenges faced by Europe, Africa, and Turkey as they navigate cross-border trade dynamics in the face of changing climate.
Breakfast Club 13
Breakfast Club 13: Thursday, April 25th
Dr. Katarzyna Negacz - Assistent Professor at the Institute for Environmental Studies (VM) at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU)
Title: Saline Agriculture as a Strategy to Adapt to Climate Change
Prof. Julian May - Director of the National Research Foundation - Departement of Science and Innovation (NRF-DSI) Centre of Excellence in Food Security at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), South Africa
Title: Urban Food Resilience under Climate Change Challenges: The case of a South African secondary city
🌾Check our our webinar! We explore innovative strategies for adapting to climate change in agriculture and urban environments. In the first talk, we'll dive into the concept of saline agriculture as a promising approach to mitigate the impacts of climate change on food production. 🌍Then, we'll shift our focus to urban food resilience, examining the case study of a South African city and discovering strategies to bolster food security in the face of climate challenges!
Widening to Western Balkan Countries Event
Widening to Western Balkan Countries Event: Friday, April 12th, Italy, Rome
Introduction
One of GEH's activities is aimed at expanding into the Western Balkan countries. The opportunity to strengthen cooperation with and within the ERA is a great opportunity to improve both ties and relationships between countries at all levels (institutions, research centers, stakeholders) in our areas of interest, and the capacity itself to jointly address research needs that are, particularly in our remit, transboundary and multi-sectoral. The GEH is therefore focused on establishing contacts with funders and researchers from the five target countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia) to exchange experiences, inform them about the functioning of the new EU partnerships and related opportunities, and explore concrete opportunities for cooperation, in particular for implementing joint calls for research projects in the context of Horizon Europe. Other cooperation activities may also be considered.
After a successful online meeting on 7 February 2024, our second event on 12 April 2024, at the same venue, will be dedicated to extending cooperation to Western Balkan countries. This event promises to further strengthen ties and promote cooperation in the region.
Annual Socratic Dialogue Event
Annual Socratic Dialogue Event: Thursday, April 11th Italy, Rome
Introduction to ‘Socratic Dialogue’
"Socratic Dialogue" events acts as a conduit for collaboration among funding agencies and stakeholder partners, particularly within the Agri-food and Biotechnology sector targeted by the GEH.
The choice of the term "Socratic Dialogue" draws inspiration from the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates (Athens, 469-399 B.C.E). Socrates, known for his open dialogues with fellow citizens, engaged in conversations that touched upon diverse subjects, transcending the confines of traditional philosophy. In the GEH context, specifically in this task, which focuses on the transnational exchange of best practices related to international research cooperation, we embrace a broader interpretation of Socratic Dialogue.
In the GEH context, where transnational exchange of best practices related to international research collaboration is central, we adopt dialogue as a collaborative interrogation method with the aim of promoting mutual learning and collaboration among participants. Our focus is on a dialogical aspect, and the intention is to create an interactive conversation by asking questions within a relevant topic that fosters a valuable exchange between participants towards mutual learning and upgrading knowledge.
Join us for the annual Socratic Dialogue with the theme "A sea of cooperation: Towards a close Euro-Mediterranean research community".
This engaging dialogue, is designed to facilitate the exchange of information and reflections on strengthening cooperation among Mediterranean countries in the ERA. Our focus will be on joint research and innovation (R&I) efforts in the agri-food and bioeconomy sectors. Expect an atmosphere of open dialogue and mutual learning.
Breakfast Club 12
Breakfast Club 12: Thursday, April 10th
Dr. Raymond Kelly - Head of Research Support at Teagasc, Ireland. Representative of the EU Member States and Associated Countries on the International Bioeconomy Forum (IBF). Member of the Impact 2030 Implentation Group and the Horizon Europe High Level Group.
Title: Career development and funding opportunities for Early Career Researchers
Dr. Orlaith Ni Choncubhair - Senior Officer at Teagasc, Ireland. Member of the Irish Bioeconomy Implentation Group and the International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy. Coordinator of the EU-funded RefreSCAR project.
Title: Career development and funding opportunities for Early Career Researchers
🔊Tune in to our webinar video featuring a dynamic discussion on "💰📚 Career Development and Funding Opportunities for Early Career Researchers 💡". Discover essential insights into advancing your career and accessing financial support in the academic world. Don't miss this valuable resource for early career researchers!