On the 15th of October 2024, the Fosamed project – Enhancing Food Safety in the Mediterranean –gathered at the UfM premises in Barcelona to celebrate years of work together for food safety in the Mediterranean.
“Partnership for the Goals: Improving Food Safety in the Mediterranean” was an initiative of UNIMED, the Union for the Mediterranean, the PRIMA Foundation and the Fosamed project, organised for the completion of the Fosamed project, which will end in November 2024.
Running from January 2021 to November 2024, the Erasmus+ funded project Fosamed brought together Moroccan universities promoting inclusive education through curriculum development and teacher education on food safety, namely Agronomic and Veterinary Institute Hassan II (IAV), National School of Agriculture (ENA), Ibn Tofail University (IBN) and Mohammed I University (UMP). The project coordinator is the University of Évora (UEVORA), EU partners are the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED).
Its main achievement is the launch of a Master’s Programme on Food Safety in Morocco in the four Moroccan universities partnering in the project.
The Mediterranean region faces unique challenges that require a collaborative and integrated approach. The Mediterranean Universities Union (UNIMED), the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) are key entities committed to promoting research, higher education and regional cooperation. In particular, it is worth mentioning the UfM research and innovation (R&I) Roadmaps on climate change, renewable energies, and health, recognized in the UfM Ministerial Declaration of 2022. The roadmaps are needed to turn agreed priorities into specific actions engaging actors at large in the region.
This initiative was an opportunity to join forces and catalyze concrete actions to address the region’s environmental, social and economic challenges. It aimed to promote cooperation and synergy between UfM, PRIMA, UNIMED and the Fosamed project, in order to address common challenges in the region and promote sustainable food systems in the Mediterranean.
‘Sustainable’ was the ‘must’ word throughout the day. Attendees highlighted the importance of strengthening healthier eating habits, increasing sustainable adherence to the Mediterranean diet, promoting open innovation and youth entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector, addressing the effects of climate change and developing plant breeding. The role of networks in promoting regional cooperation was strongly underlined and brought challenging insights. The agenda is available here.
The event took place during the 8th edition of the Erasmus Days, the annual international celebration of the projects and opportunities proposed by the Erasmus+ programme.
Thanks to the Union for the Mediterranean for hosting the event and contributing with its meaningful vision. Thanks to all the valuable speakers from PRIMA Program, FAO, CIHEAM Bari and ENCO Engineering and Consulting srl. Hearthfelt thanks to all the partners of the Fosamed project for this extraordinary path together.
