REENFORCE at the 2nd Conference “𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 & 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀: 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲”!

In late October 2025, Smart Agro Hub presented the REENFORCE project during the 2nd Conference “Ecological Crisis & Economic Impacts: Adaptation, Innovation & Resilience,” organized by Aegean College in Athens, Greece. The conference brought together academics, researchers, policymakers, and industry representatives to discuss strategies for addressing the intertwined challenges of environmental degradation, economic pressure, and social transformation in the era of climate change.

Highlighting Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture

During the conference, Smart Agro Hub showcased REENFORCE as a leading Horizon Europe initiative that embodies the spirit of adaptation and innovation in the agricultural sector. Coordinated by the Agricultural University of Athens, REENFORCE aims to strengthen research and innovation excellence in sustainable crop protection, promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and competence centers across Europe.

The presentation emphasized REENFORCE’s integrated approach to advancing: Bio-based solutions that reduce dependence on synthetic pesticides, Ecotoxicological research to ensure environmental and human safety, and Smart spraying technologies that enable precision agriculture and efficient resource use.

Through secondments, training programmes, and knowledge exchange activities, REENFORCE contributes to building research capacity and supporting the European Research Area (ERA) Policy Agenda, aligning with the EU Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy.

Connecting Agriculture, Ecology, and the Economy

The conference theme—linking ecological resilience with economic adaptability—provided an ideal platform for presenting REENFORCE’s vision of sustainable transformation in the agri-food sector. Smart Agro Hub’s presentation highlighted how innovation in crop protection can simultaneously drive environmental sustainability, economic viability, and technological progress.

Participants expressed strong interest in the project’s objectives and methodologies, noting the importance of integrating ecological and economic perspectives in agricultural innovation. The discussion also underscored the role of European research collaborations in fostering resilience and competitiveness in rural economies.

Building Momentum for a Greener Future

By participating in events such as the Aegean College conference, REENFORCE continues to expand its network, promote knowledge exchange, and engage stakeholders in the transition toward a smarter and more sustainable European agriculture.

Smart Agro Hub’s contribution reaffirmed the consortium’s commitment to bridging research, innovation, and practice — ensuring that the outcomes of REENFORCE have a meaningful and lasting impact on farmers, ecosystems, and society at large.