Excel4Pro, a four-year Horizon Europe project funded by the European Research Executive Agency (REA), officially kicked-off in January 28th, at its coordinator’s headquarters, TÜBİTAK MAM, in Gebze, Turkey. The project brought together 17 key partners from Türkiye, Greece, and Ukraine for a comprehensive kick-off meeting, where all consortium partners discussed the project’s scope, objectives, and planned activities. The meeting also focused on outlining next steps, defining roles and responsibilities for each team, and establishing a clear framework for effective coordination and smooth implementation, laying the foundation for a successful partnership.
Unlocking Excel4Pro: Transforming the agri-food sector
Excel4Pro aims to transform the agri-food sector by stimulating scientific excellence and strengthening regional innovation hubs across Türkiye, Greece, and Ukraine. Positioned at the strategic crossroads of the Balkans, Caucasus, Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, and Eastern Europe, the project will establish a single, interconnected cross-border Excellence Hub. This hub will enhance plant-based protein ecosystems, foster innovation, and promote the development of sustainable, novel food products.
By implementing collaborative R&I strategies, mentoring programs, targeted investment plans, and comprehensive upskilling activities for both researchers and entrepreneurs, the project seeks to close knowledge gaps between place-based innovation ecosystems and accelerate the development of sustainable food systems.
