The Standing Committee on Agricultural Research (SCAR) supports the European Commission (EC), EU Member States and Associated Countries on research and innovation (R&I) priorities to address Europe's challenges in agriculture, fisheries, food systems, forestry, and the wider bioeconomy.
Newsletter
June 2025
Welcome to the SCAR newsletter. You will read more about the latest news, events, publications, and networking possibilities regarding the SCAR network.
The SCAR newsletter is prepared every six months and sent to subscribers.
SCAR News
UPCOMING SCAR PLENARY AND POLISH PRESIDENCY CONFERENCE
The 42nd SCAR Plenary Meeting will take place under the Polish Presidency on Tuesday, 10 June 2025 at the National Institute of Culture and Rural Heritage, Warsaw, Poland. The meeting will focus on SCAR’s strategic priorities and engagement for the ‘Vision for Agriculture and Food’, a report and discussion on the BIOEAST project, an update on the current Polish and upcoming Danish presidency, along with an update on the 6th SCAR Foresight Exercise. Dedicated break-out sessions will explore best practices in cooperation between SCAR Working Groups and Task Forces, contributions to policy initiatives and recent outputs that could be shared between groups.
It takes place back-to-back with the Polish Presidency Conference on the 11-12th June, also in Warsaw. This conference is entitled “R&I for Fostering Cooperation” and will bring together Member State representatives, policy makers, experts and researchers, as well as interested citizens, including youth representatives from the R&I community across Europe, to explore key challenges for sustainable food systems, the digital and green transformation of the agri-food sector and the development of the bioeconomy in the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region and the wider EU.
Warsaw, Poland, Aerial photo image
The renovated SCAR website is now live
To improve communication and outreach, the new SCAR website (https://scar-europe.org) was launched with a refreshed design, streamlined navigation, and dedicated spaces for each SCAR Working Group and Task Force. This platform serves as a central hub for sharing knowledge, events, publications, and updates across the SCAR community and beyond.
This update reflects the commitment to clear communication, collaboration, and knowledge sharing among SCAR Working Groups and Task Forces, policymakers, researchers, and all stakeholders. Key improvements include:
- A more intuitive and user-friendly interface
- Enhanced access to the latest news, reports, and events from SCAR Working Groups and Task Forces
- A fresh, modern design that aligns with SCAR’s vision for the future
Don't miss the opportunity to explore SCAR's new website and engage. This is the bridge that connects you to the world of knowledge within SCAR.
Designed to strengthen participation and collaboration among SCAR members, the SCAR-Engage Programme provides tailored support to new members of SCAR Working Groups and Task Forces, aiming to broaden their networks, increase impact, and boost inclusivity in SCAR groups.
The programme plans to run four times between 2024 and 2027. Each SCAR-Engage Programme round lasts twelve months from its official start date.
Now on its second round, the programme offers participants several forms of support aimed at increasing country-level visibility and empowering new SCAR Working Group/Task Force members - especially those from under-represented or less visible countries. These include:
- Peer-to-peer support and networking: A series of meetings designed to foster networking and mutual support throughout the duration of the SCAR-Engage Programme.
- Country-level Individual Action Plans: Tailored documents addressing each country’s needs and ambitions regarding future involvement in SCAR activities.
- Financial support: The programme offers financial assistance for new SCAR group members to attend physical meetings.
- Alumni involvement and Certificate of Completion.
The second round of the SCAR-Engage Programme has just been finalised! It resulted in 3 countries being onboarded (Czechia, Slovakia and Spain) with 9 new Working Group members. The new members will be joining the SCAR Agroecology, Animal Health & Welfare, ARCH, Bioeconomy, FISH, Food Systems and Sustainable Animal Production working groups.
2nd SCAR-ENGAGE PROGRAMME LAUNCHED
6th SCAR FORESIGHT KICK-OFF MEETING
The much-anticipated 6th Foresight Exercise has officially been launched, with a successful kick-off meeting on the 7th March.
With the publication of the 5th Foresight Report - “Resilience and transformation. Natural resources and food systems: Transitions towards a ‘safe and just’ operating space” - a list of targets was identified to be met by Europe, by 2050, to sustain human and other life and maintain a fair and safe society. Three main transition pathways, capable of contributing to meeting the objectives of COP21 and the UN SDGs, were identified: (i) healthy, sustainable diets for all; (ii) a ‘circular’ food supply; (iii) greater diversity.
Now, a new challenge for 6th Foresight Exercise was set under the working title: ‘Healthy and sustainable diets, Circularity, Diversity: Pathways in transition for resilient European agriculture and food systems in times of global crises. Explorative scenarios built upon the transition pathways with a deep dive on natural resources - land and water’
It will start with the main outcomes of the previous exercise as the validity of the three transition pathways has been confirmed. These pathways will be updated to reflect the evolving context, as identified during the scoping process for the 6th Foresight Exercise. The deep dive on land and water will be an opportunity to develop an in-depth analysis in relation to these strategic assets, beyond the planned exploration of general scenarios.
The first draft of the Foresight Expert Group Report is planned to be presented in the Spring of 2026 to be discussed with a wide audience (SCAR, European Commission and other relevant stakeholder groups).
Input and comments from these stakeholder groups will be utilised to further refine and consolidate the report and its recommendations.
The final version of the Report will be closely followed by SCAR, and will include clear research recommendations for policy makers, that will be widely disseminated in Member States/Associated Countries and on European level, and should be presented during a dedicated SCAR Conference which is planned for Summer 2027.
FORUM OF SCAR WORKING GROUP CHAIRS
The 5th Forum of SCAR Working Group Chairs and first in-person forum meeting took place as a Breakfast Meeting in Budapest on the morning of the 41st SCAR Plenary Meeting on the 4th December last. The hybrid meeting provided a dedicated space for SCAR Working Group and Task Force Chairs, European Commission Contact Points and the RefreSCAR project to exchange and discuss ongoing and future activities. RefreSCAR also provided an update on activities and supports for SCAR Working Groups.
The 5th Forum Meeting had a particular focus on best practices in engaging active Working Group member participation.
The 6th Forum meeting was held online on 10th April 2025, where best practices in managing Working Groups and Task Forces were discussed.
European Research & Innovation Days 2025 and
"R&I for a Competitive Green Transition" conference
The European Research & Innovation Days 2025 will take place on 16-17 September 2025 at The Square in Brussels. The sixth edition of this flagship event of the European Commission will bring together policymakers, researchers, business leaders and the wider innovation community to discuss how research and innovation drives Europe’s competitiveness, sustainability and industrial leadership, underpinning the EU’s top priorities.
This year’s edition, “Together, towards a Research and Innovation Union”, will come at a pivotal moment of discussions on the EU’s next long-term budget and key policy actions such as the Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the European Life Sciences Strategy, the AI in Science Strategy and the European Innovation and European Research Area Acts.
If you want to be part of the conversation and help steer Europe’s R&I agenda (in Brussels or online) subscribe to their newsletter here.
Registrations for the conference "R&I for a Competitive Green Transition" are now open, taking place on 23-24 June 2025 in Brussels and online. The event will showcase solutions to make Europe more sustainable and competitive and will stimulate dialogue on how Research and Innovation can boost Europe’s economy and security while accelerating the green transition. R&I for a Competitive Green Transition is a satellite event of the European Research and Innovation (R&I) Days 2025.
FEATURED SCAR MEMBER
Tony Quinn
Co-Chair of the SCAR Fotest Working Group
Tony Quinn, new co-chair of SCAR FOREST and manager of a forest research programme at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in Ireland, leverages extensive research to advance sustainable forestry practices. His leadership in the ForestValue2 secretariat expanded collaboration among member states and integrated new partners. As co-chair, he focuses on leveraging Europe’s collective knowledge to build resilient forests and disseminating key research findings from initiatives like ForestValue2 and the future Forest Partnership. Inspired by a commitment to leaving forests more resilient and sustainable for future generations, Tony is dedicated to ensuring that forests continue to thrive and serve multiple roles well into the future.
SCAR WORKING GROUPs & TASK FORCE UPDATES
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.
Nine Working Groups exist: Agroecology (AE), Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), European Agricultural Research towards greater impact on global Challenges (ARCH), Bioeconomy (BSW), Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (FISH), Food Systems (FS), Forest and Forestry Research and Innovation (FOREST), Animal Health and Welfare (AHW), Sustainable Animal Production (SAP). In addition, there are two Task Forces: the Protein Task Force and the Foresight Task Force.
Agroecology
The Agroecology has appointed two new co-chairs recently; Claire Rogel-Gaillard (INRAE, France) and Marissa Tello (INIA-CSIC, Spain).
They held their first meeting this year on 9th April to discuss the role of the Working Group and their Terms of Reference.
Their second meeting was held online on May 28th where they discussed their roadmap and propositions of portfolio analyses with their renewed membership.
AKIS
Last January (15th -16th), the SCAR AKIS held the 8th meeting of their 6th Mandate. This online meeting fostered discussion on synergies between CAP and FP10 now and in the future, effective dissemination of Horizon projects and EIP-AGRI Operational Group results among practitioners, and how knowledge hubs can be supported by the CAP and FP10 in the future.
The group also held a meeting in Helsinki, Finland from 22-23rd May where a number of projects were presented, along with a discussion on simplification ideas for the next FP10 and CAP period. This meeting was held in collaboration with the Horizon Europe funded modern AKIS project and a field trip was held jointly with the General Assembly members of modern AKIS.
ARCH
In December 2024, the SCAR ARCH, Food Systems and Bioeconomy released a new Policy Brief on ‘Research and innovation priorities for more sustainable food systems in Europe and globally’. The document highlights the key insights and recommendations from the virtual Joint Workshop and International Expert Consultation on “Research Needs and Priorities for the Transformation to Sustainable Food Systems at European and Global Level”, read it here.
SCAR ARCH also held a roundtable on 13th March at the European Commission and DeSIRA-LIFT conference in Brussels. The roundtable discussed 'Internationalization of EU R&I co-funded partnerships: Challenges and Opportunities’, moderated by RefreSCAR. The presentations and session recording can be viewed here.
Bioeconomy
The Bioeconomy began its fourth mandate in January 2025. The group’s ambition, work plan and expected outcomes for the period 2025-2027 are outlined in its Mandate document, available here.
In May, in collaboration with the SCAR Forest, the group released its contribution to the public consultation on the upcoming EU Bioeconomy Strategy. This document outlines the group’s recommendations under four strategic pillars and one cross-cutting theme, as set out to guide the 2025 update of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. You can read their recommendations here.
FISH
SCAR FISH successfully held their 49th meeting online on January 29th followed by their 50th meeting on 31st March. The FISH members discussed their upcoming Portfolio Analysis on ‘Offshore energy impacts on the marine environment & food production’, SCAR Foresight activities, alongside other activities and updates from the group.
The SCAR FISH has also launched a timely and insightful paper: ‘Innovation in fisheries monitoring science - Fisheries dependent data as a tool for real-time advice’. The paper explores how fisheries dependent data (FDD) can be used to support more responsive, adaptive, and evidence-based fisheries management - bringing science closer to real-time decision-making. Read the full paper here.
The group also recently met on 5th June in Brussels at JPI Oceans for their 51st meeting, where the upcoming Portfolio Analysis was discussed further.
Food Systems
In March, the Food Systems held a meeting in Brussels, hosted by the Flemish Government.
Under their 3rd Mandate, the group advanced their activities on: Food system resilience; Accelerating and monitoring the food system transition.
The international dimension of food systems. They also discussed their collaborations with relevant FOOD2030 initiatives, FoodPathS, FutureFoodS and BIOEAST & BOOST4BIOEAST.
The group will hold its second meeting of the year on 12 June 2025, in Warsaw, back-to-back with the Polish Presidency conference. Here, they will discuss current activities and progress on their three priority actions.
FOREST
The Forest now has its own LinkedIn page! The Forest representatives are now using LinkedIn, the updated SCAR website and new infographics in order to communicate more efficiently the outcomes of their work, you can follow their page here.
SCAR Forest was the first WG to participate in the ‘SCAR Insights’ webinar series in December, under the theme "SCAR Forest - Coordinating Forest Innovation". The recording can be viewed here.
SCAR Forest WG also collaborated with the Bioeconomy WG to the public consultation on the upcoming EU Bioeconomy Strategy, as stated previously under the Bioeconomy WG update. Their joint document outlines recommendations under four strategic pillars and one cross-cutting theme, you can read their recommendations here.
ANIMAL HEALTH & WELFARE
The SCAR Animal Health & Welfare (AH&W) held its annual plenary meeting from 9-10th December 2024 in Rome. The aim of the meeting was to consolidate the European network with authorities, policy makers, funders, experts and private partners with a strong interest in animal health and animal welfare in the EU and beyond. The presentations, related to technical and scientific issues, were recorded and are now available here.
AH&W was also presented at the final ICRAD - International Coordination of Research on infectious Animal Disease - meeting at the World Organisation for Animal Health headquarters in Paris on 29 April, along with the activities of the European Partnership on Animal Health & Welfare. Both consortia serve complementary roles in advancing animal health and welfare in Europe.
The group also launched a comprehensive report outlining their expectations for FP10. This report emphasises the need for a holistic One Health approach, integrating animal health and welfare, environmental sustainability, and human health. You can access the full report here.
Sustainable Animal Production
The Sustainable Animal Production (SAP) began a new two-year Mandate in January 2025 and held an online meeting on 19th May to discuss their workplan for the current year and upcoming workshop in October.
The group are currently undertaking a Study entitled ‘Scientific methods to assess the overall sustainability of livestock farming systems’ in collaboration with RefreSCAR.
Their next in-person meeting is planned for 8-9th October in Aarhus, Denmark.
Protein Task Force
The Protein Task Force has recently agreed on its visual identity after working with RefreSCAR to design a logo for the group. Moreover, general information about the working group’s rational, vision and objectives are now available on their dedicated section in the updated SCAR website.
They are working in the drafting of a Policy Brief and recently commenced a Portfolio Analysis in collaboration with RefreSCAR on the topic of ‘Alternative protein sources for food and feed’, with strategic autonomy and the sustainability of EU protein production in mind.
Foresight Task Force
The Foresight Task Force have completed the planning, brainstorming, scoping and preparatory phases of the 6th SCAR Foresight Exercise, with the support of RefreSCAR. This included two scoping workshops organised with experts and stakeholders in Brussels in 2024.
Following the endorsement of the Terms of Reference by the SCAR Plenary, scientific experts commenced their work in March 2025, supported by a DG RTD foresight framework contract and with the active involvement of SCAR. Results are envisaged within 18 months, with the final report to be presented in summer 2027.
HORIZON EUROPE PARTNERSHIPS
Opportunities to get involved in the FutureFoodS Partnership
50 consortia have been invited to submit full proposals under the first FutureFoodS call, which received 275 pre-proposals! The following funding organisations also have a widening offer to still be part of one of the 50 research consortia preparing full proposals: Belgium (FIO/VLAIO and SPW), Lithuania (ZUM), Romania (UEFISCDI), Spain (ELIKA), The Netherlands (SIA), Turkey (TAGEM). Make sure to get in touch with the respective contact points and use the partnering platform to post an offer or request.
FutureFoodS is inviting new partners to join the next phase of the Partnership and expand the community. This includes both Research Funding Organisations and Research Performing Organisations. A survey is available on the Partnership’s website to express interest in joining and an information webinar will take place on 5th June 2025, read more here.
To achieve the major goal of the FutureFoodS Partnership of developing a European network of FutureFoodS Living Labs - to stimulate collaboration, to share working methods and to generate new ideas within the ecosystem of food systems transition - more than 30 partners are currently joining forces to develop this network as the basis for a Knowledge Hub.
EUP AH&W 3rd GOVERNING MEETING
The European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EUP AH&W) met for their 3rd Governing Board Meeting on 28th March 2025 in Paris. The meeting provided an informative overview of the recent research within the agriculture and health sector, and outlined the activities within the EUP AH&W. There, the European Commission presented the new AGRI-VISION and engagement of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development in European Partnerships. France's involvement in various European partnerships related to agriculture and health was also presented. Two renowned keynote speakers, Stephan Zientara and Virginie Michel spoke respectively about the emergence and re-emergence of arboviruses in Europe and the advances in Animal Welfare within Europe through the contribution of the EUP AH&W.
An update on the progress of the 1st co-funded call for proposals of the EUP AH&W ”Supporting the Future of Animal Health and Welfare” that was launched on May 8, 2024 was given. A total of 130 pre-proposals were selected for the full proposal stage, which closed in February 2025, with 43 full proposals retained. The final selection of projects will be performed and results communicated to the coordinators at the end of June 2025.
Agroecology Partnership 1st co-funded call success and summer school
The 1st co-funded call “Fostering agroecology at farm and landscape levels” of the AE partnership resulted in the selection of 19 projects with a total funding of €37 million. The details of the selected projects can be viewed here. A Kick-off meeting was held from May 19-21st in Brussels for the 1st co-funded call projects as well as a valorisation workshop.
Their 2nd co-funded call “Integrating environmental, economic and social perspectives in assessing the performance of agroecology: Value-chain and policy implications” was launched in December with the deadline for full proposal submission in July 2025.
The Partnership also hosted a Summer School on “Conservation Agriculture in Mediterranean Systems”, from May 7-9 in Elvas, Portugal. 15 candidates from 10 different countries were selected and represented diverse backgrounds. The summer school offered expert-led lectures, practice-focused discussions, and hands-on farm visits so participants were able to share their experience and also gain knowledge into applied research, real-world farming applications, and the challenges and opportunities of Agroecology in Southern Europe.
The Agroecology Partnership regularly host webinars and events so keep an eye on their website events calendar for upcoming activities.
CANDIDATE EUROPEAN PARTNERSHIP ON FORESTS AND FORESTRY FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
Efforts are continuing to develop a proposal for a European Partnership on “Forests and Forestry for a Sustainable Future”.
A strategic R&I agenda for forestry and the forest-based sector (SRIA) is being developed by the EUFORE project, the first draft is available online now. In April 2025, EUFORE brought together a committed group of experts for the two foresight workshops to explore plausible futures for European forests and the forest-based sector. The EUFORE project has also mapped forest innovation activities in Europe, you can view their presentation here.
The SCAR Forest SWG is also contributing as a critical co-creation platform for the development of the Partnership proposal. The call for the co-funded partnership has been published as part of the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 2025 Work Programme.
The call for a co-funded ‘European Partnership of Agriculture of Data’ (HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-02-01) closed on the 25th June 2024. Following the evaluation process, one proposal was selected to enter into Grant Agreement preparation with the European Commission and REA.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
HORIZON EUROPE WORK PROGRAMME FOR 2025
The European Commission is investing over €7.3 billion through its newly adopted Horizon Europe Work Programme for 2025 to strengthen Europe's research and innovation engine and global edge. This will drive cutting-edge science, accelerate the EU's green and digital transitions, and enhance Europe's competitiveness.
The first call for proposals under Cluster 6 is open and the Work Programme is available here, with deadlines for submission in September.
RefreSCAR HIGHLIGHTS
WEBINARS
RefreSCAR SPOTLIGHT
'Advancing Food Safety Management: Bridging Research, Innovative Technologies, and Regulations'
The webinar "Advancing Food Safety Management: Bridging Research, Innovative Technologies, and Regulations”, took place last January the 22nd. This was the fourth webinar under the 'RefreSCAR Spotlight on' series, showcasing:
- New perspectives on food safety management featuring the management process of the USDA Agricultural Research Service Food Safety National Program
- Takeaways on factors influencing antimicrobial resistance in agrifood production
- Recent advances in technologies applied in food safety monitoring, such as Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and more.
The webinar featured three panel experts in the field: Kaye Burgess, PhD, Principal Research Officer, Food Safety Department at Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ireland; Steven J. Lehotay, PhD, Research Chemist (Lead Scientist) at US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), US; Milica Pojić, PhD, Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Food Technology - FINS, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
SCAR INSIGHTS SERIES WEBINAR
First SCAR Insights Series Webinar
In December 2024, the first webinar of the SCAR Insights Series took place, hosted by the SCAR Forest Strategic Working Group under the title 'SCAR Forest Coordinating Forest Innovation'. This event marked the launch of a new initiative aimed at sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and engaging a wider range of stakeholders in discussions around key challenges and opportunities in research and innovation.
The SCAR Forest SWG led this inaugural session, focusing on the critical role of forests in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and the transition to a circular bioeconomy. Participants had the chance to engage with experts, learn from cutting-edge research, and discuss the latest developments in the field.
Stay tuned for more SCAR Insights Series webinars throughout 2025, as we continue to spotlight the innovative work of SCAR's diverse Working Groups.
Learn more about SCAR and its Working Groups: https://scar-europe.org
Updated SCAR "Induction Pack" – everything you need to know about SCAR
With the renovation of the SCAR website, there was a need to update the SCAR Induction Pack. This is a comprehensive and demystifying communication tool developed by RefreSCAR, designed to help users better navigate SCAR world. The new sections of the website – particularly the ‘SCAR History’ – and the updated navigation structure are now clearly explained in this helpful and accessible document.
WHO IS WHO?
Meet the new members of the RefreSCAR Project team!
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| Etienne Schultz |
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| Valentina Cola |
| Valentina is a Project Manager at Foodscale Hub. She holds a BA in History, Geography and International Cooperation from Roma Tre University and a Master in European and International Studies from Trento University. After completing a specialisation course in Project Management and Design in Brussels she began working as a project manager and grant writer within the NGOs sector and is currently involved in the agrifood field. |
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| Arlene Mc Grath |
| Arlene Mc Grath is a Research Officer at Teagasc, providing support to the RefreSCAR project. She holds a BSc in Microbiology and an MSc in AgriBioscience. Arlene previously served as Technical Manager for a large-scale milk composition study, a collaborative initiative between Teagasc and the Dairy Processing Technology Centre (DPTC). She also has experience in farm advisory services, where she supported farmers in meeting environmental regulations and developing nutrient management plans. |
CALENDAR
| 15th May 2025 | SCAR AH&W | Plenary meeting online |
| 19th May 2025 | SCAR SAP | Meeting (online) |
| 22-23rd May 2025 | SCAR AKIS | Meeting in Helsinki |
| 28th May 2025 | SCAR Agroecology | Meeting (online) |
| 5th June 2025 | SCAR Fish | SCAR Fish meeting, Brussels |
| 10 June 2025 | SCAR Plenary | Meeting (Warsaw) |
| 11-12 June 2025 | Polish Presidency Conference | Meeting (Warsaw) |
| 12th June 2025 | SCAR Food Systems | Meeting in Warsaw |
| 23-24th June 2025 | Conference "R&I for a Competitive Green Transition" | Online (Brussels) |
| 8th July 2025 | 2nd annual SCAR Training Webinar for new Working Group members | Online |
| 16-17th September | European Research & Innovation Days | Brussels |
| 8-9th October 2025 | SCAR SAP | Meeting in Aarhus, Denmark |
| 27th November 2025 | SCAR Plenary | Online |
Supported by RefreSCAR
The European Commission is not responsible for the content of this newsletter.