Knowledge Expedition to the ERIAFF 2024 Annual Conference
The European Projects Office of the Extremadura Science, Technology, and Innovation System (OPE-SECTI), as part of its Specific Transfer for the Internationalization of R&D&I and its Internationalization Promotion Activities, organized a knowledge expedition aimed at consortium building for competitive calls during the ERIAFF (European Regions for Innovation in Agriculture, Forestry, and Food) 2024 Annual Conference.
Held from June 11–13 in Seinäjoki, Finland, under the theme “Regions as Change Agents for European Resilience and Sustainability”, the event was co-organized by the ERIAFF Network, the Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences, and the Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia.
Representing the Regional Government of Extremadura, OPE-SECTI is an active ERIAFF member, participating in its Coordination Committee and leading both the Missions Working Group and the Communication Group.
Highlights of the Knowledge Expedition
Researchers from the University of Extremadura and CICYTEX actively participated in the conference through poster presentations, speeches, and other activities. Parallel meetings during the event proved essential for revitalizing collaborations and establishing new international contacts within their respective research fields.
OPE-SECTI also hosted a consortium-building workshop, which was well-received by attendees. The session focused on fostering team creation within the ERIAFF community, targeting specific Horizon Europe topics identified beforehand.
The conference theme, along with the carefully chosen topics for the consortium-building session, provided participants with an excellent opportunity to align their interests with those of other attendees. It also allowed them to expand their European networks beyond their academic or professional disciplines.
Strategic Impact
This initiative reinforces Extremadura’s commitment to strengthening its participation in Horizon Europe and other European programs, ensuring its research community stays competitive on the international stage.
