CATALYSE consortium made important progress and achievements during this period of the project:
- Stakeholder Engagement Strategy: aimed to identify barriers and priorities among food business operators, food authorities, academia and innovators. The engagement activities took place using online surveys and one-on-one interviews, interactive in-person workshops and webinars. These discussions helped select key focus areas to ensure a more effective and resource-efficient approach while establishing a sustainable network of participants for CATALYSE Community of Practice (CoP).
- Database Development: will include practice-oriented knowledge and innovative solutions from existing databases (journal articles, patents, protocols, guidelines, grey literature, etc.) considering the main needs identified. This includes a comprehensive methodology for selecting data, and the use of large language models for the collection workflow combined with the evaluation of experts. The preliminary pilot is about “novel microbiological detection methods”.
- Repository of Educational Resources: a curated link library of educational and training resources to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen capacity in food safety, offering access to relevant, high-quality materials, including webinars, e-books, fact sheets, online courses, and tutorials about food safety topics.
- CATALYSE CoP: the creation of our community of practice lays first, on a preliminary study of existing models of communities operating and positive case studies applied in the cheese and dairy industry. CATALYSE CoP operates through an online platform that has been launched and is under continuous expansion, easily accessible and open for the entire food ecosystem.
- Mapping Innovations: a targeted compilation of innovative technologies has been established to bridge the gap between end-user needs and innovative solutions. Matchmaking activities between solution providers and food companies represent the best tool to foster collaboration and accelerate the adoption of innovation across the food system.
- Numerous events to increase CATALYSE networking has been done (online and in person workshops, webinars, special sessions in congress and conferences). In these events stakeholders discussed about their main concerns regarding food safety and increased visibility to the CATALYSE CoP.
The project progress has been in complete alignment with the objectives and work plan, including deliverables and milestones proposed in the Grant Agreement.
