Topic of the work programme

KBBE-2008-2-5-03 - Dissemination of research projects in the food sector

Description of the topic (extracted from the work programme)

Dissemination measures can sometimes reach a full impact only after a project has ended, but when costs are not eligible any longer. This Coordination and Support Action (CSA) would give the means to consortia to effectively communicate their findings, in collaboration with other consortia, in the field of food science and technology, with emphasis on food safety and quality. The intention should be that the dissemination mechanisms developed are sustainable in the longer term and are designed to meet the needs of relevant stakeholder groups who would be the beneficiaries of the projects outcomes. This CSA is not only directed at consortia of EC-funded projects, but also at projects funded by other means (national, Member States in different configurations, global, industrial). In order to ensure relevance and impact of the research effort, the active participation of at least 5 participants representing 5 projects (out of which at least one project has not received EC funding) represents an added value to the activities and this will be reflected in the evaluation.

Expected impact: provide effective and sustainable dissemination measures of research projects in the food area leading to a higher degree of technology transfer and innovation and therefore increased competitiveness of the food industry.

Dirk Pottier (DG Research and Innovation)

18 organisations

2 years from May 2009 to May 2011

AgriFoodResults intends to answer the need for a better dissemination of results of food research. The vision is to improve the cost effectiveness of agri-food research activities by enhancing the transfer of the results to the end-users. The project combines capacity building with the creation of sustainable services for dissemination managers. Theses services include_once web-sites, innovative approach to communicate scientific results and guidelines for project and dissemination managers.

The expected outputs are:

1. Two web-sites: one on dissemination practices (for dissemination managers, with guide of good practices, directories of contacts, database of information relays) and one on food scientific results (for end-users, with a database of scientific results in food science).

2. An innovative and sustainable web solution for communicating project results.

3. Several guides of good practices:

i) A guide of good practices for the dissemination manager
ii) A guide of good practices for communication with food SMEs
iii) A guide of good practices for communication with policy makers
iv) A guide of good practices for communication with consumers

4. Several reports including:

i) A report benchmarking current practices on dissemination of scientific results in the food sector and identifying the needs of SMEs.
ii) A report on strategies for communication of scientific results.
iii) A final report (compiling the guides, database etc) on dissemination strategies.

5. Workshops (8) organised across Europe and presentations (18) of project results in conferences and workshops organised outside AgriFoodResults.

6. One European conference on dissemination practices which will include_once the award of prizes for the dissemination activities of projects.

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