Strengthening human capital and increasing the excellence of widening-country organizations in R&I for bio-based, low-risk and smart crop protection

The REENFORCE project, coordinated by the Agricultural University of Athens, aims to foster long-term cross-sectoral collaboration and strengthen the research and innovation (R&I) capacity in the Widening countries of Greece and Portugal. Focusing on sustainable crop protection, the project addresses key topics such as bio-based and low-risk pesticides, ecotoxicology assessment, and smart spraying technologies. It supports Action 4 of the ERA Policy Agenda 2022–2024 and contributes to Europe’s green and digital transition in agriculture. The consortium, comprising academic institutions, private companies, and a competence center from Greece, Portugal, and Belgium, will identify skill gaps, develop specialized training, and facilitate secondments and joint research to enhance R&I excellence. REENFORCE also aims to deliver policy recommendations and best practices, promoting the wider adoption of innovative, environmentally friendly crop protection methods.