Final Report Summary - FOODLINK (Linking Associated Candidate Countries and EU Member States food sectors with a view to higher level of participation in the FP 6 projects)
The aim of FOODLINK project was to promote among the researchers and industry operating in the Associated Candidate Countries (ACCs) food sector the participation in the EU Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) research and development projects. ACC institutions active in a field of food industry were not sufficiently experienced in coordinating such projects as well as cooperating with leading institution in the EU. They were also not enough informed of the results and achievements of previous EU projects and other ACC successes in a food sector.
In order to improve the situation following activities were realised: the series of information days in different ACC and New Member States (NMSs). Each ACC and NMS partner conducted one info-day and will carried out the action of potential partner profiles collection. During these info-days, the researchers, enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) representing the food sector familiarised themselves with the results of EU and research projects and with issues of research and industry in ACC and NMS and with the FP6 participating opportunities. The brokerage event organised on the basis of previously collected profiles of ACC and NMS organisations interested in FP6 participation during the International Trade Fair for Food Industry POLAGRA-FOOD. Through its 18 months duration, FOODLINK provided leaflets on each info-day (also in national languages). Moreover, the specific website was created as well as database of ACC institutions (research institutions and SMEs) active in food sector which is a basis for future collaboration partner search. The final outcome is the long list of the projects to which ACC and NMS partners were joined.
Common actions and consortium meetings resulted in better knowledge of the partners and results with contact for prospective partnerships in FP6, 'Food Quality and Safety' Thematic Priority. The database of the ACC institutions active in research and innovation in food sector contributed their visibility and raised of number of ACC partners in submitted proposals.
The information days, individual consultations and promotion actions increased the knowledge about the FP6 problems, solutions and trends. It was especially useful for research sector interested in project participation; the same is true about the companies.
FOODLINK brokerage event was a platform to dissemination of information about the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) projects concerning food sector. The brokerage event participants received information about possibilities to participate in FP6.
The info-days and brokerage event helped SMEs to better know the competencies of the science part they can use first for training purposes and then to establish better collaboration links. Bilateral meetings and discussion will establish new contacts with prospects of bilateral collaboration as well as including SMEs in international projects.
In order to improve the situation following activities were realised: the series of information days in different ACC and New Member States (NMSs). Each ACC and NMS partner conducted one info-day and will carried out the action of potential partner profiles collection. During these info-days, the researchers, enterprises, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) representing the food sector familiarised themselves with the results of EU and research projects and with issues of research and industry in ACC and NMS and with the FP6 participating opportunities. The brokerage event organised on the basis of previously collected profiles of ACC and NMS organisations interested in FP6 participation during the International Trade Fair for Food Industry POLAGRA-FOOD. Through its 18 months duration, FOODLINK provided leaflets on each info-day (also in national languages). Moreover, the specific website was created as well as database of ACC institutions (research institutions and SMEs) active in food sector which is a basis for future collaboration partner search. The final outcome is the long list of the projects to which ACC and NMS partners were joined.
Common actions and consortium meetings resulted in better knowledge of the partners and results with contact for prospective partnerships in FP6, 'Food Quality and Safety' Thematic Priority. The database of the ACC institutions active in research and innovation in food sector contributed their visibility and raised of number of ACC partners in submitted proposals.
The information days, individual consultations and promotion actions increased the knowledge about the FP6 problems, solutions and trends. It was especially useful for research sector interested in project participation; the same is true about the companies.
FOODLINK brokerage event was a platform to dissemination of information about the Fifth Framework Programme (FP5) projects concerning food sector. The brokerage event participants received information about possibilities to participate in FP6.
The info-days and brokerage event helped SMEs to better know the competencies of the science part they can use first for training purposes and then to establish better collaboration links. Bilateral meetings and discussion will establish new contacts with prospects of bilateral collaboration as well as including SMEs in international projects.