Our Partners

List of our partners

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO ITALY Remigio Berruto, Patrizia Busato, Francesca Sanna. UNITO, DISAFA Department offers the Agricultural sciences, Science and Food Technology both at bachelor and Master's Degree. About 2000 students are enrolled in curricula related to the agricultural sector offered within the department. Two renewable energies classes, involving about 160 students, are offered at the Master level, and many types of research have been carried out in the field of renewables in agriculture, from photovoltaic, biogas and solid biomass use at the farm both in developed and developing countries. DISAFA has an active collaboration with the University of Florida for what concerns innovative learning methods. The University of Florida is currently the most successful in the USA in this field. Since 2014 UNITO has offered flipped classroom projects with students of the agri-food science and technology curricula of UNITO. These skills will be shared with other partners and the trainers to implement the flipped classroom. For this project, both skills on renewable energy use at farm level and innovative teaching methods will be shared with the partners.

CONFEDERAZIONE GENERALE DELL AGRICOLTURA ITALIANAITALY Daniele Rossi, Claudio Carpineti, Elisabetta Pierantoni, Tancredi Marini, Giovanna Amelio, Elisa Tommasi, Camilla Tomao. CONFAGRICOLTURA is the organisation that represents the Italian agricultural enterprises (145 000 companies and 222 000 farmers, 367 000 in total). CONFAGRI acknowledges the leading role of agricultural entrepreneurs in the establishment and development, both economic, technological and social, of the Italian agriculture and agricultural businesses. CONFAGRI is present on the ground across the Italian territory through regional federations (19 regional offices), local offices and town representatives (2.143 unions), 20 sectoral federations (to which provincial and sectoral unions refer) and product federations (which coordinate local product offices). It holds representatives in CNEL (National Council of Economy and Labor) and in all the institutions, both national and international, which are directly and indirectly linked to agriculture. It is also actively involved in regular meetings between trade unions and the government. It stipulates National Labor agreements for workers, employees, managers, besides National Labor agreements for landscaping workers. CONFAGRI is part of COPA – European Agricultural Union, GEOPA – Employers’ Group of Professional Agricultural Organizations, and CES (EESC – European Economic and Social Committee).

COMITE DES ORGANISATIONS PROFESSIONNELLES AGRICOLE DE L UNION EUROPEENNE COPA ASSOCIATION DE FAIT BELGIUM Sergi Queralt, John Emmerson, Umberto DiPasquo, Branwen Miles. Copa and Cogeca are the united voice of farmers and agri-cooperatives in the EU. Together, we ensure that EU agriculture is sustainable, innovative and competitive, while guaranteeing food security for 500 million people throughout Europe. Copa represents over 22 million farmers and their family members whilst Cogeca represents the interests of 22,000 agri-cooperatives. We, the European farmers and agri-cooperatives, strive to deliver the type of agricultural products that our citizens expect and demand, with a market-oriented agriculture that provides the highest level of food safety, sustainability, plant and animal health and welfare standards.

FOODDRINKEUROPE AISBL BELGIUM Jonas Lazaro Mojica, Rebeca Fernandez. FoodDrinkEurope wants to ensure that the importance of the food and drink industry to the European economy is recognised, that the strength of the Single Market is increased, and fragmentation of the internal market is avoided; That food education is given high priority during the next political mandate; That an ambitious food research and innovation policy be implemented; That a strong food trade agenda is set, in particular with regards to the post Brexit EU UK trade relationship; A fair and strong agri food supply chain.

EIT FOOD BELGIUM Maarten van der Kamp, Mario Roccaro EIT Food is the world’s largest innovation ecosystem for food systems transformation. As a Knowledge Innovation Community co-funded by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), it has three complementary missions: to achieve healthier lives through food, a net zero food system, and a resilient, fair and transparent food supply. EIT Food is a partnership organisation, driving change through innovation, venture creation and support, public engagement and education.

VEREIN ISEKI-FOOD EUROPAISCHE GESELLSCHAFT AUSTRIA Luis Mayor, Ana Ramalho, Valentina Mayer, Rui Costa, Marco Alves. The ISEKI-Food Association is an independent non-profit organisation in the food sector. The association’s activities are mainly focused on education and training. ISEKI-Food is developing and carrying out activities connected to food such as: - working towards the quality assurance of food studies; - tuning and accrediting curricula and certifying training activities on an international level; - developing teaching materials and teaching methods; - promoting synergies between research, education/teaching, industry and authorities; - development of a community of experts in the field of food with communication to the general public; - establishment of a framework of agreements among partners, fostering the mobility of students and staff, stimulating the development of further related projects, cooperation in the implementation of quality criteria in the food chain.

WAGENINGEN UNIVERSITY NETHERLANDS Jacques Trienekens, Renate Wesselink, Wageningen University and Research Centre, Mission: To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life; Ambition: To become the most important University in the domain of healthy food and the living environment . Wageningen University in the Centre of the Food Valley is composed by 15,000 scientists 20 research institutes 1440 food related companies 70 science companies Domains: Biodiversity and sustainability of agrifood production and supply; Health aspects of food and the living environment; Food safety and poverty, particularly in developing countries.

AARHUS UNIVERSITET DENMARK Milena Corredig, Sandra Beyer Gregersen, Stella Spanou, Marie Louise Krogh Walker. Established in 1928, Aarhus University has since developed into a major Danish university with a strong international reputation across the entire research spectrum. Aarhus University is a nationwide university. Aarhus University’s vision is to be a research-intensive university that aspires to the highest international quality and excels in creating value through knowledge, new insights and collaboration, in addition to facilitating connections between Denmark and the world.

STICHTING AERES GROEP NETHERLANDS Douwe Algra, Daniël van Straten, Gundelach, J, Harm Holleman Aeres offers a variety of activities in the green sector, from education and research programmes to development projects, innovation projects, commercial courses and services. Aeres is contributing to international projects and offers a wide range of training courses, both on national and on international level. Aeres provides regular education (TVET, Bachelor and Master). The fields of interest show a wide variety, from primary agriculture to engineering and from intensive farming to biodynamic agriculture

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TERAMO ITALY Paola Pittia, Marco Faieta, Nadia Gatti. University of Teramo (UniTE) develops research and Higher Education activities in two main areas related to humanities (law, politics and communication sciences), and scientific disciplines (agriculture, food, veterinary medicine, biotechnology) organised in 5 Departments. The academic offer includes 22 Degree Programs (1st level, 2nd level) 7 Doctoral programs and, in a Lifelong Learning perspective, over 25 post-graduation/specialization masters. Innovative educational paths are implemented based on job market needs at regional, national and international level and by close interaction with key stakeholders. UNITE promotes internationalisation via diverse actions along with transnational mobility of students, researchers and teachers through both ERASMUS+ projects and other international frameworks; it is involved in other collaborative and cooperation programmes with no-EU countries. The Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment encompasses degree programmes related to the agri-food area: Food Science and Technology (1st and 2nd level Degree-International), Oenology and Viticulture and Biotechnology (1st level) and Advanced Biotechnologies (2nd level) along with the Doctoral programme on Food Sciences. UNITE develops training initiatives in a Lifelong learning perspective and post-graduated master courses (e.g. Precision agriculture, Wine business). Research activities are carried out on various aspects of agri-food systems in 10 Research Units and well-equipped laboratories (Food Technology; Chemical Methodologies and Food Analysis; Agricultural economics; Food and environmental microbiology, Agronomy and Crop Sciences; Energy and Environment; Biochemistry) supported and sponsored by projects funded by national and international, public and private entities including food industries.

UNIVERSITAET HOHENHEIM GERMANY Susanne Braun, Daniel Fenrich, Michael Bregler. World class research and modern teaching are closely interconnected at the University of Hohenheim (UHOH). Its graduates are young professionals who are much in demand. Hohenheim cultivates international partnerships with universities and other research institutes in over 90 countries around the world. Currently, almost 10.000 students attend a total of 48 courses of study in the fields of "General and Applied Natural Sciences“, "Agricultural Sciences" and "Economic and Social Sciences“. The University is a member of Euroleague for Life Sciences quality network of European universities. UHOH is also part of the EIT's Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs). The Hohenheim Research Center for Bioeconomy is a central inter-faculty research network of the UHOH. The aim of the center is to strengthen the University’s scientific potential in the field of Bioeconomy with special emphasis on the Food Chain. The Research Center for Bioeconomy brings together the numerous scientific activities from agricultural sciences, biology, food sciences, to socio-economic sciences to establish new interdisciplinary research projects. The center has a wide international network including research institutions, large and small/medium industries, associations, governmental authorities and technology transfer agencies. It is especially strong in European research and cooperation activities.

UNIVERSIDAD DE MURCIA SPAIN Gaspar Ros Berruezo, Gema Nieto, Asta Tvarijonavicute, Constanza Saavedra. The University of Murcia (UMU or UM) is a public research university in Murcia, southeastern of Spain, nearby the Mediterranean Sea. Founded in 1905, is number 10th of the oldest Spanish Universities (and also can be traced back to the 12th century). UMU mission is to contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest national and international levels of excellence. Currently, UMU es a modern, innovative and inclusive public University, based on 5 campuses, 100 Faculties and Departments, that make up the University, covering a vast array of subjects and specialised areas of high education and research: Fine Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Health Sciences, Sciences, Social Sciences and Law, ad offering 60 graduate programs, 108 post graduate programs (72 masters and 36 PhD). Two projects of excellence are leading their international activies: Mediterranean Campus of Excellence, a join venture with the Polytechnic University of Cartagena (Murcia, Spain), and EUniWell – the European University for Well-Being – one of 44 European University Alliances.

INFOR ELEA ITALY Carlo Colomba, Diana Mitrofan, Erica Giordano. INFOR ELEA is a consortium of 250 enterprises officially recognised as a training provider by local public authority Regione Piemonte. It’s a merger of two big training companies: INFOR established in 1994 and ELEA founded in 1979 by Olivetti Group. This consortium is made up by a group of both public and private institutional and economic partners included the Faculty of Economics – University of Turin. INFOR ELEA is recognised as a local point of promotion of managerial competence and knowledge, able to link on the one hand the rising trends on management theories and on the other hand the requirements and experiences of entrepreneurs. Frequent contacts with public and private companies have been helping INFOR ELEA to adequate its activities to the national real needs and to anticipate market changes. INFOR ELEA designs realises and evaluates managerial training, lifelong learning training, academic masters, e-learning, apprenticeships training, transnational mobility projects for unemployed, entrepreneurship promotion and study visit for transnational entrepreneurs, employees and unemployed people. It is also officially recognised as job centre by local public authority Regione Piemonte and carries out professional guidance and job promotion to unemployed people. Together with transnational partners, INFOR ELEA is also involved in developing scientific research, skill exchange and international training activities thanks to its previous experiences on the whole managing (from the designing of the proposal to the financial statement reporting) of transnational projects funded by European, National and Local funds. Since 2002 INFOR ELEA has been awarded the certifications of UNI EN ISO 9001 2008 for its project planning and training activities.

LEBENSMITTELVERSUCHSANSTALT AUSTRIA Julian Drausinger, Katharina Stollewerk. LVA is a private non-profit centre of excellence for the food industry in Austria and was founded as independent association with the aim to fulfil a broad range of tasks. Services comprise coaching and consultancy, comprehensive training in the food sector, authoritative partnerships in technology transfer, European research programs and mediating co-operations of industry and academia. The high quality of provided services and the competences and expertise built in LVA make it a strong player in the Austrian food producing sector and an expert partner on EU-level. LVA is a motivator for collective R&D activities and acts as a transfer organisation between science and industry. The services offered range from project management to data research and product- and process development. The core competencies of LVA in quality management, food science, food legislation, hygiene and technology transfer are complemented by a comprehensive program for professional training for the food sector. LVA is core group partner of the EU “Pact for Skills” initiative for the food sector.

CENTRO TECNOLOGICO NACIONAL AGROALIMENTARIO EXTREMADURA SPAIN José Luis Lerena, Ana Serrano, Ascensión Ciruelos, Alberto Martín de Prado, Pilar García. CTAEX is a non-profit BUSINESS association that opened in January 2001 with a clear goal: offering research, development, innovation, analysis, training, and information services, contributing to the competitive development of the companies in the agri-food sector, and to consumers’ safety. National Agri-Food Technological Centre Extremadura (Centro Tecnológico Nacional Agroalimentario “Extremadura” - CTAEX) works in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, as a technological reference, committed to giving advice in projects and to strengthening competitiveness of the agri-food sector through innovation, technological development, training, and providing services to agricultural and agri-food companies. The main purpose of the Association is to satisfy demands and development needs of sustainable methods of production, preservation and processing of agri-food products, focusing on an integral rural development, in a quest of competitiveness and efficiency in productions. Mainly through: 1. Basic research in the fields of agriculture, food preservation and processing sectors, and environmental conservation. 2. Research applied to enhancing production processes, new processed food, new techniques, characteristics and qualities standardisation, new test methods, product revaluation, productivity, environmental conservation, integral agriculture, sustainable development, etc. 3. Technology services provision, like quality, production organisation, training, information, documentation, dissemination, laws, design, and environment. 4. Contribution to research findings transfer. 5. Encouraging shared research among companies and, generally, raising their technological level, their competitiveness, and their environmental conservation practices. 6. Fostering continuous training, and specialisation for the technical staff of companies in agri-food and environment sectors. It is registered as #80 in CIT (acronym for Innovation and Technological Centres) registry, it belongs to FEDIT (acronym for Spanish Federation of Innovation and Technology Institutions), as well as to a number of institutions and associations, and has entered treaties and collaborations agreements with regional and national bodies.

AKMI KATARTISI EKPAIDEYSI ANONYMI ETAIREIA GREECE Andreas Tsalamatas, Georgios Kiriakos Fragkos, Marianna Mitsi, Eva Vaiouli. UNIVERSAL EDUCATION S.A. belongs to the AKMI Educational Group, which has been active in the field of education since 1975 and is one of the seven best VET providers in Europe, with an international EFQM excellence award. AKMI is active in 7 cities across Greece (Athens, Piraeus, Thessaloniki, Crete, Larissa, Rhodes, and Chalkida) representing almost 60% of the total VET sector in the country providing post-secondary education, of EQF levels 3-5. Every year, approximately 14.600 active students are enrolled to study one of the 107 specialties, in more than 340 laboratories in 14 different sectors within more than 37.500 m2 of infrastructure across the country. UNIVERSAL has been a pioneer actor in the vocational education & training field for 21 years, with the ability to implement innovative educational programs of vocational training at all levels. In the organisation's certified Lifelong Learning Centre, a large number of professional training programmes are provided and implemented, including accelerated seminars with the possibility of obtaining a certificate, certified academic post-graduate training programmes as well as professional education & training programmes co-funded by the European Funds. UNIVERSAL, confirming its evolutionary character, continues to monitor the developments of the market and society & adapts to the requirements, and takes on challenges for perpetual progress. In this context, it continues to monitor the evolution of Management Systems and update its current systems, in accordance with national and international certification bodies and organizations

ACEEU GMBH GERMANY Aggelos Koutsomichalis, Lina Landinez, Adisa Ejubovic. The Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities (ACEEU) is the only globally operating quality assurance body with a focus on acknowledging engagement and entrepreneurship in Higher Education. As such, ACEEU strives to lead the way in a new era for higher education through evaluating, supporting and igniting the potential of HEI’s on their road to third mission excellence. Headquartered in Germany, ACEEU offers accreditation for entrepreneurship and (community) engagement on institutional (entire university) and divisional level (faculty, school, department). Our goal is to challenge the status quo in higher education and advocate for putting a stronger emphasis on the so-called third mission of universities (an umbrella term for innovation, university-business cooperation, civic engagement, outreach, technology transfer etc.), next to education and research, to make universities engines for societal and economic development. We believe that entrepreneurship and (community) engagement are the key drivers and vehicles to realise this change. At ACEEU, we contribute to this movement by offering universities an external evaluation of their entrepreneurship and (community) engagement practice, benefitting organisational development and providing international recognition of the institution’s achievements.

EUROPEAN FORUM OF TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING BELGIUM Valentina Chanina, Joachim James Calleja. Founded in 1991, in the Netherlands, as a response to the lack of voice felt by VET providers with the main purpose of building a network of practitioners VET institutions to secure a voice across Europe in both policy making and practice arenas. The mission is to enhance VET provision across all members through an active networking of all the key actors. To create the capacity to influence policy at European and National level. Our vision EfVET aspires to become a leading contributor to the enhancement of VET in Europe.

EUROPEAN BOARD OF VETERINARY SPECIALISATION NETHERLAND Lidewij Wiersma, Zoe S. Polizopoulou. The European Board of Veterinary Specialisation is composed of one voting representative from each of the 27 EBVS-recognized veterinary specialist colleges, comprising more than 38 distinct specialties. EBVS is a European organisation focussed on veterinary specialisation in the Member States of the European Union and its neighbours, particularly Switzerland and Norway. EBVS specialists are also found in other countries. The more than 4000 veterinarians active as European Veterinary Specialist are ready to serve the public, its animals, and the veterinary profession by providing high quality service in disciplines from anaesthesia and analgesia to zoological medicine.

ASSOCIATION NATIONALE DES INDUSTRIES ALIMENTAIRES FRANCE Gorga Françoise, Anastasia Boucheron, Xander Egal. ANIA gathers sectorial federations and regional associations. The mission is to represent, inform and support food companies in France in order to valorize their role and contribution to public bodies, medias, consumers. 4 PRIORITIES Food & Health: Promouvoir un mode de vie sain et une alimentation équilibrée; Economy & Competitiveness: Soutenir la compétitivité et le développement des entreprises; Sustainability: Encourager un modèle économique durable; Jobs & Training: Développer les compétences et valoriser les métiers

FEDERACION ESPANOLA DE INDUSTRIAS DE LA ALIMENTACION Y BEBIDAS SPAIN Concha Ávila, Eduardo Cotillas. The Spanish Food and Drink Federation (FIAB) was established in 1977 to represent the Spanish food and beverage industry through a single body and one voice. Its main activity is to inform the sector of the main developments that may affect its operation and competitiveness. It also represents its interests in different governement and decision-makers, both nationally and at the European and internation scope. Currently it encompasses 46 associations and 5,000 companies. FIAB is member of FoodDrinkEurope promoting its members’ interests in areas such as food safety and science, nutrition and health, consumer trust and choice, innovation and technology, competitiveness and environmental sustainability.

SYNDESMOS ELLINIKON VIOMICHANION TROFIMON SOMATEIO GREECE Natassa Kapetanakou, Sofia Savvopoulou, Kalliope Palivou, Christina Tsalampampouni, Vasiliki Papadimitriou. SEVT (Federation of Hellenic Food industries) represents the Hellenic Food and Drink Industries at national, European, and international level. It consists of food and drink companies and sector associations. The mission of SEVT is to facilitate the development of a friendly enabling business environment that attracts investments. A framework where all food and drink companies, whatever their size, can operate responsibly in order to respond to the increasing needs of both consumers and society, while competing effectively towards a sustainable and inclusive growth.

GOSPODARSKA ZBORNICA SLOVENIJE - CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY OF SLOVENIA SLOVENIA Tina Buh, Matej Kirn, Snezana Kauric. Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia–Chamber of Agricultural and Food Enterprises (CCIS-CAFE) is the main and the biggest representative organization of the food industry in Slovenia. It represents branch interests of over 250 agricultural and food companies, registered in Slovenia in relation to Slovenian governmental and non-governmental institutions/organizations, as well as in equivalent EU associations. The very close collaboration with the food industry rounds up the wide range of possibilities and highlights the association as a multiple-purpose adviser. CCIS-CAFE has an important role in managing the strategic development-innovation partnership SRIP HRANA for the S4 thematic area of Sustainable food production. CCIS-CAFE is an active member in 9 European associations.

FEDERAZIONE ITALIANA DELL INDUSTRIA ALIMENTARE ITALY Maurizio Notarfonso, Giorgia Sabbatini. Federalimentare (FEDER) is the Italian national Federation which represents, protects and promotes the Italian Food and Beverages Industry, the second-highest-ranking Italian manufacturing sector which accounts for 8% of the national GDP, with an annual turnover of over 155 billion Euro. FEDER grouped together 13 branches associations – representing almost all food & beverage sectors, associating about 7,000 companies located throughout Italy. The Federation is: - Committed to working alongside the authorities in promoting a food model based on safety and quality requisites. It helps skilled entrepreneurs seize the best business opportunities in Italy and abroad, ensuring the core values of the Italian food culture are promoted worldwide whilst preventing imitations and counterfeiting. - Aware of the needs of food companies and promotes collective economic and social growth. It supports research and innovation, in keeping with tradition, by responding to market developments and new consumer needs. - Proud to represent Italian leading economic actors, being the bridge between Food Supply chain and the European Union. Thus, FEDER focuses its activities on several areas, such as: food education, institutional relations, ongoing training, promotion and internationalisation of companies & Made in Italy products, consumers’ information, labour & welfare, industrial & nutritional policies, EU funded projects, research & innovation, young entrepreneurs. FEDER is member of FoodDrinkEurope and Confindustria (Confederation of the Italian Industries). The activity of the federation is also targeted at services performance, assistance and consulting to companies, companies’ associations, business associations and other organisations operating in the food sector. FEDER is also member of the Italian national agri-food Cluster “CLAN”, the entity officially recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education, Research and University. FEDER, together with Fiere di Parma, organises CIBUS, the International Food Exhibition held in Parma, as well as CIBUS CONNECT and CIBUS TEC.

VERENIGING CENTRE DE LIAISON DES INDUSTRIES TRANSFORMATRICES DE VIANDES DE L UE FRANCE Paolo Patruno. CLITRAVI, the Liaison Centre for the Meat Processing Industry in the European Union, is the EU business association representing the European Meat Processing sector. The Association has 26 members, covering the vast majority of EU Member States, UK, Switzerland and Norway. CLITRAVI represents 13500 companies which generate an annual turnover of 85 billion € and employ 380.000 people. Our member Companies, which are for the vast majority SMEs, are deeply linked not only to the economic but also to the social and cultural development of countries, regions and territories. CLITRAVI was founded in 1958 and is now member of FoodDrinkEurope, the International Meat Secretariat and the European Livestock Voice. He Association seats in European Commission Civil Dialogue Groups, as well as on the DG SANTE Advisory Group on sustainable food systems and on the EFSA stakeholder forum. The Secretariat of CLITRAVI is based in Brussels.

CONFAGRI-CONFEDERACAO NACIONAL DAS COOPERATIVAS AGRICOLAS E DO CREDITO AGRICOLA DE PORTUGAL CCRL Domingos Godinho, Helena Branquinho, Isabel Basto Founded in October 1985, with the essential purpose of contributing to the balanced and efficient growth and development of the Cooperative Sector and, in particular, of Portuguese Agriculture, the “CONFAGRI - National Confederation of Agricultural Cooperatives and Agricultural Credit of Portugal, CCRL” , it is the dome structure of practically the entire Agricultural Cooperative Universe in our country. CONFAGRI had as founding members the Federations then existing - FENALAC (Leite), FENACAM (Crédito Agrícola) and FENADEGAS (Wine). We were living in the pre-accession period to the European Economic Community (EEC), accession that happened in January of the following year, when CONFAGRI joined COGECA - General Committee for Agricultural Cooperation of the European Community and opened a Permanent Representation in Brussels, which it maintains today. CONFAGRI had, in those early times of existence, to commit itself to its organization, affirmation and occupation of spaces, namely with regard to its representative function. Task that, with the commitment, wisdom and dedication of the leaders of the time, it was possible to successfully accomplish. CONFAGRI was born without its own headquarters, without equipment and practically without human resources, having the founder, FENACAM, as an essential role due to the various facilities and support provided.

COOPERATIVAS AGRO-ALIMENTARIAS DE ESPANA U DE COOP SOCIEDAD COOPERATIVA Juan Sagarna Patricia Castejón The mission of SCOOP is the promotion, representation and structuring of Spanish agri-food cooperativism, encouraging a cooperative business model, professionalized, with a relevant dimension, generating value and competitive, which contributes to improving the profitability of farmers and livestock partners and the sustainable development of the agri-food sector and the rural environment.