From a joint European vision
to joint action...
WHAT IS SCAR?
The Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) is a comitology body of the European Commission (EC) originally established in the 1970s. Comitology refers to a set of procedures, including meetings of representative committees, that give European Union (EU) countries a say in the implementation of EU law.
SCAR’s remit lies in the area of agriculture, fisheries, food, forestry and the wider bioeconomy, with a focus on research and innovation (R&I). Its main task is to provide strategic R&I policy advice in this domain, helping to create an integrated European Research Area (ERA).
It is a key platform for creating Horizon Europe Partnerships, which address some of Europe’s most pressing challenges through concerted R&I initiatives.
How is SCAR organised, what are its goals and who are its members?
BECOME (MORE) ACTIVEINTERESTEDINSPIREDIN THE SCAR COMMUNITY!
BUILD THE FUTURE RESEARCH AGENDA
The SCAR Working Groups form an inspiring network of motivated peers. They offer unique platforms to develop R&I agendas, co-construct European R&I partnerships, and exchange experiences and best practices. Moreover, being a member of the SCAR helps delegates and scientists implement national research priorities at the European level, and helps align national and European R&I agendas.
ARE YOU...
…already a member of the SCAR community, and interested in helping it grow? Take up an active role in the Working Groups or Plenary Meeting, motivate your research community to join the SCAR Working Groups, and disseminate the results in your country to increase the SCAR’s impact.
…a scientist, eager to meet peers to exchange knowledge and learn from them? Contact your country’s SCAR delegate and request to join one of the Working Groups.
NEWS
RefreSCAR “Spotlight On…” Webinar n°6
On the 28th of January, the three winning teams of the 1st RefreSCAR Hackathon presented their solutions to the online protein-enthusiast community for the 6th RefreSCAR “Spotlight On” webinar titled “Protein Value Chains: Winning Solutions from the 1st RefreSCAR Hackathon”.
The webinar began with intros from the 2 keynote speakers Giulia Bizzo (DG RTD) and Francisco Castro Alves (DG AGRI) whom were also present at the in-person event.
🥇 Team Lucky Beans – First Place
The solution presented by Lucky Beans centred on improving the value chain for Irish faba beans, a promising source of sustainable plant protein, by creating a cooperative processing framework...
New policy brief: lessons from a decade of EU international R&I partnerships for sustainable agri-food systems
The SCAR ARCH Working Group has released the policy brief Quo vadis: lessons learned from 10 years of EU funded international R&I partnerships to foster the sustainability of globally connected agri-food systems.
Based on an analysis of 15 EU-funded projects (2014–2024) conducted by experts from the RefreSCAR project, the Portfolio Analysis (PA) highlights how international partnerships - particularly with Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) - have strengthened local R&I ecosystems, supported inclusive collaboration, and delivered solutions to challenges such as climate change and food insecurity...
Workshop: Identifying Research Gaps for a Resilient Bioeconomy in the Poly-Crisis Context
On March 5 and 6, the Poly-crisis Workshop will bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to explore how bioeconomy systems can better respond to complex and interconnected global challenges. The event aims to foster dialogue, identify critical knowledge gaps, and highlight research and innovation pathways that can strengthen resilience in the face of multiple, simultaneous crises.
We invite experts and stakeholders to participate in this workshop organised by the SCAR Bioeconomy Working Group in collaboration with the ARCH Working Group and the Forest Working Group. The workshop will benefit from diverse expertise across relevant fields...
🚨Workshop 'Identifying Research Gaps for a Resilient Bioeconomy in the Poly-Crisis Context' to help shape research priorities for a resilient bioeconomy (5,6 March). EI and selection:🔗https://t.co/F3HOehZ1CS#SCAR Bioeconomy, Forest and ARCH WGs supported by @RefreSCAR_ pic.twitter.com/re0ndu1x59
— RefreSCAR (@RefreSCAR_) Februar7y 23, 2026
AGENDA
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Featured Events
RefreSCAR “Spotlight On…” Webinar n°6
“Protein Value Chains: Winning Solutions from the 1st RefreSCAR Hackathon”
On the occasion of the 6th “Spotlight On…” webinar, more than 65 attendees tuned in to hear the suggested solutions from the 3 winning teams of the 1st RefreSCAR Hackathon:
🥇Lucky Beans Team
“Building a technological framework to upgrade Irish faba protein value chain”
🥈Pro Taste Team
“Introducing alternative proteins into palatable, healthy food choices”
🥉Blended Finance Team
“Accelerate and consolidate local value chains by blended financing”
Their presentations were preceded by the comments of the two keynote speakers from the European Commission from the Hackathon itself, and moderated by Valentina Cola (RefreSCAR partner, Foodscale Hub).
The 3 teams illustrated respectively: (I) a cooperative framework for converting Irish faba beans into food-grade protein ingredients using dry fractionation and thermal treatments; (II) a predictive model for the functional and nutritional properties of protein hydrolysates and (III) the development of an enhanced blended finance model across the agri-food chain.
next events
| 13 Mar 2026 SCAR Bioeconomy meeting |
| 19 Mar 2026 SCAR Forest meeting |
| 20 Mar 2026 SCAR Start-up & Scale-up Task force meeting |
| 31 Mar 2026 SCAR 103rd Steering Group |
SCAR Newsletter