Final Report Summary - SUAFRI-EPC (Supporting the Uptake of Agri-Food Research Results into Innovation with EPC countries)
Executive Summary:
The overall aim of the SUAFRI-EPC project is to bridge the gap between Agri-Food research and innovation in Eastern Partnering Countries (EPC), by bringing together all actors of the knowledge value chain and raising their awareness on how to uptake research results into innovation. Agri-Food is a key economic sector in EPC countries with many advantages for the EU but which also need international support to raise standards and reach European state of the art. The SUAFRI-EPC is supporting the Agri-Food sector and community in EPC by developing the basis for an efficient "Research to Innovation - R2I" process with the support of European partnering specialists.
The main work and results achieved during the project were the following:
WP2 – Networking
• Final version of the online promotional brochure featured 42 EPC organisations and technologies. 510 hard copies of the promotional brochure were distributed during the course of the project and downloaded/viewed more than 110 times online.
• Successful brokerage events were held in Armenia attracting 59 participants (October 2015), in Belarus attracting 55 participants (June 2016) and in Ukraine attracting 54 participants (November 2016).
WP3 – Cooperation and Knowledge Transfer Analysis
• Audits were successfully conducted of eight (8) EPC RDI organisations.
• Based on the SMART scan process, six (6) promising technologies form EPC organisations were selected for innovation support.
• Three (3) policy debates were held in Armenia (October 2015), Belarus (June 2016) and Ukraine (November 2016).
• A comprehensive report on technology transfer opportunities and bottlenecks in EPC countries was produced and published.
WP4 – Best Practices Exchange
• Technology transfer summer schools were successfully held in Aarhus (Denmark - September/October 2014), Bologna (Italy - October 2015) and Rennes (France - October 2016) attracting 50 EPC participants.
WP5 – Twinning via R2I Pilot Projects
• R2I pilot project implemented in Armenia: Production methods to optimise economical and environmental sustainability in aquaculture and apiculture sectors.
• R2I pilot project implemented in Belarus: Development of consumer preferences for fish and seafood.
• R2I pilot project implemented in Georgia: Wine production optimisation using bio-technologies and zoning techniques.
WP6 – Innovation Support Services
Hands-on support provided to the six EPC research/technology teams which helped them to understand how to review exploitation models/commercialisation pathways by taking into consideration both the market potentials and their opportunities of upscaling in the international arena.
WP7 – Dissemination and Promotion
• Project website received over 6,900 unique visitors,
• Five project newsletters have been produced and disseminated to a large audience of Agri-Food actors.
• The results of the pilot projects appeared in 18 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and they were presented at 11 international conferences.
• Participation to eight (8) R2I cluster meetings and organisation of one (1) R2I meeting in Luxembourg.
Project Context and Objectives:
The overall aim of the SUAFRI-EPC project is to bridge the gap between Agri-Food research and innovation in Eastern Partnering Countries (EPC), by bringing together all actors of the knowledge value chain and raising their awareness on how to uptake research results into innovation.
Agri-Food is a key economic sector in EPC countries. Agri-Food sector is rather disparate in the targeted countries. In Armenia, Agri-food sector is contributing with 21 percent of value added to GDP and employing around 46 percent of the total labour force but the sector has an overall low productivity. In Belarus, the agricultural sector is contributing with 10 percent of value added to GDP employing around 10 percent of the total labour force and growing in productivity at an annual rate ranging between 1,0 and 13,2 percent. In Ukraine the Agri-Food sector is contributing with 8 percent of value added to GDP and employed around 16
percent of the total labour force. Manufacturing industry generated above 18 percent of GDP with a negative annual growth as of -26.6 percent after a steady growth during last decade averaged 10.5 percent. In Georgia, the agricultural sector contributed with only 10 percent of value added to GDP but employed above 54 of total labour force. Agriculture productivity is low but it has improved in industrial sector since last years.
EPC countries have a real potential in Agri-Food sector for the local market as well as for exports. Nevertheless, it needs to improve and upgrade its production capability and increase the quality of food products. Armenia, Belarus and Ukraine are exporting more than what they import and the Agri-Food sector can offer concrete social and economic opportunities to the countries. As evidence, Ukraine is already the world’s largest exporter of sunflower oil and among the world’s largest exporters of grain and sugar. Their potential is also justified by their memberships to the Codex Alimentarius Commission and of the International Organisation of Standardization (ISO).
The project objectives consist in:
• Networking between Agri-Food actors: Mapping EPC RDI organisations and organise brokerage events to stimulate cooperation;
• Analysing the tech transfer opportunities and bottlenecks of EPC organisations involved in RDI Agri-Food activities. It consisted of surveying these organisations and holding discussions with representatives of government, industry and scientists.
• Exchanging best practices in knowledge/technology transfer via a range of specific training courses and intensive summer school in Europe.
• Twinning via R2I pilot projects: each EPC research partner twinned with another consortium partner who supported them to implement a bilateral R2I pilot project;
• Providing innovation support services to high-potential EPC (and European) RDI Agri-Food organisations: the activities consisted of coaching and advisory services on innovation and tech-transfer.
Project Results:
The main S&T results/foregrounds came from the three bilateral Research-to-Innovation pilot projects relevant to the Societal Challenge II “Food security, Sustainable agriculture, Marine and Maritime research and the Bio-economy”. The three-year collaboration pilot projects involved short-term exchanges and training in scientific topics.
R2I pilot project in Armenia: 'Production methods to optimise economical and environmental sustainability in aquaculture and apiculture sectors'. The main results of the pilot project in Armenia consist in:
• The creation of the Non-Governmental Organisation 'Towards Sustainable Aquaculture NGO’ and the foundation of a start-up company to be registered at the Chamber of Commerce in 2017.
• Several scientific publications based on the pilot project's training modules and knowledge exchange:
1. Aghababyan K. and Khanamirian G. 2014. Opportunities and restrictions for sustainable development of aquaculture in Armenia:. Rybovodstvo i rybnoe khozyaistvo. N6: 41-49, N7: 38-42.
2. Arushanyan T.A Aghababyan K.E. Khanamirian G.G. Tamamyan G.N. Asatryan M.А., Zakaryan A.N. 2014. Feasibility of adoption of water recirculation systems for fish-farms of Ararat Plain in Armenia. Proceedings of International Conference “Biological diversity and conservation problems of the fauna of the Caucasus - 2”, September 23-26, 2014, Yerevan, Armenia, 37-40.
3. Aghababyan K., Khanamiryan G., Ghukasyan E., Badalyan N. 2015. Abundance of narrow-clawed crayfishes (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) and its trends in Lake Sevan, Armenia. Journal of Aquaculture Engineering and Fisheries Research, 1(3):116-124.
4. Aghababyan K., and Khanamirian G. 2015. Pollution of freshwater ecosystems by products of water disinfection and disease prevention chemicals. Electronic Journal of Natural Sciences, National Academy of Sciences of RA, 1(24): 72-75.
5. Khanamirian G., and Aghababyan K. 2015. State of population of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta m. fario) in the rivers of Armenia. World Journal of Fish and Marine Sciences 7 (2): 123-128.
6. Asatryan, M., Aghababyan, K., Khanamirian, G., Ben Ohanyan, N., Arushanyan, T., Tamamyan, G. 2015. Assessment of opportunities for development of aquaponics systems in Armenia. Electronic Journal of Natural Sciences, National Academy of Sciences of RA, 2(25): 1-5.
7. Khanamirian G., and Aghababyan K. 2015. Towards Sustainable Aquaculture in Armenia: Strengthening Capacity through Advanced Technologies of Trout-Farm Management for Small-Scale Producers. Journal of Aquaculture & Marine Biology, 2 (5): 1-8.
• Proposals submitted to funding programmes and industrial contracts:
o The proposal ‘Adoption of innovative water reuse systems, supporting the development of Sustainable Aquaculture in Armenia’ submitted to the Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector of Asian Development Bank.
o Industrial contracts for the development of tailored RAS were signed with i) Agribusiness Teaching Center and ii) Mendez, England and Associates.
• PhD students benefiting from the exchange of knowledge and training modules:
1. Gayane Tamamyan “Development of Management System for the Organic Fish Production in Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2013-2014. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
2. Arpine Zakaryan “Opportunities of integration of second use of aquaculture wastewater into crop production in Ararat Plain of Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2013-2014. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
3. Tatevik Arushanyan “Feasibility of Adoption of Water Recirculation System for Fish-farms of Ararat Plain in Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2013-2014. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
4. Marine Asatryan “Model Cycle for Producing Organic Vegetables using Aquaponics for Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2013-2014. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
5. Norayr Ben Ohanian “Comparing aquaponics system performance in greenhouse system and open-air system” American University of Armenia. 2014-2015. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
6. Elmira Tarkhanyan “Feasibility of use of demand feeders in Rainbow Trout farming in Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2014-2015. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
7. Astghik Kocharyan “Using Aquaponics as a Source of Organic Food for Armenian Market” American University of Armenia. 2014-2015. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
8. Julieta Mkoyan “Opportunities and Restrictions for Introduction of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems in Trout Production in Armenia”. 2015-2016. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
R2I pilot project in Belarus: 'Development of consumer preferences for fish and seafood'. The main results of the pilot project in Belarus consist in:
• Several scientific publications based on the pilot project's training modules and knowledge exchange:
1. I. Pochitskaya, S. Radkov. Prospects for using of fish waste. – Thesis of the report for the ХIV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry», Minsk, 8-9 October 2015.
2. I. Pochitskaya, A. Krasouskaya. Biologically active substances of seaweed focus. – Thesis of the report for the ХIV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry», Minsk, 8-9 October 2015.
3. I. Labazava, I. Pochitskaya, S. Golubeva. Comparative analysis of the application of predictive microbiology models growth L.monocytogenes at different temperatures. – Journal «Food processing industry: science and technology». – 2015. – Nº 4.
4. A. Krasouskaya, I. Pochitskaya. Assessment freshness of the fish using the method of quality indexes. – Thesis of the report for the X International scientific conference of students and post-graduates «Technique and technology of food production». – 28-29 April 2016, Mogilev.
5. A. Krasouskaya, I. Pochitskaya. New approaches to the assessment sensory characteristics of fresh fish. - Thesis of the report for the XIII International scientific-practical conference "Food Ecology Quality". - 18-19 May 2016, Krasnoiarsk.
6. I. Pochitskaya, I. Labazava. Application of predictive microbiology models for L.monocytogenes in frozen mixed vegetables. – Journal «Food processing industry». 2016, Nº7.
7. А. Kozeltseva, I. Pochitskaya, I. Labazava, E. Petrova. Distinctive features of the isolation and identification of Listeria monocytogenes in fish and fish products. – Journal «Food processing industry: science and technology». – 2016. – Nº 3.
8. H. Sadouskaya, A. Krasouskaya, C. Zhakova. Storage and packaging of fish and fish products. – Thesis of the report for the ХV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry», Minsk, 5-6 October 2016.
9. I. Pochitskaya, A. Krasouskaya. Creating of fish freshness schemes by a method of quality indexes (QIM). – Thesis of the report for the ХV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry», Minsk, 5-6 October 2016.
10. I. Pochitskaya, A. Krasouskaya. New approaches to sensory assessment of the quality of fish of the Belarusian fishery. - Union of Science and Practice: Current Problems and Prospects for the Development of Commodity Research ": The collection of scientific articles of the international scientific and practical conference, Gomel, 4 November 2016.
11. A. Krasouskaya. H. Sadouskaya. The system for assessing and shaping the quality of fish raw materials and fish products from catch to consumption. - Youth in Science - 2016: The collection of scientific articles of the international scientific conference of young scientists, Minsk, 22-25 November 2016.
12. Z. Lovkis, E. Morgunova, I. Pochitskaya, H. Sadouskaya, A. Krasouskaya. Guide for technologists "The system of assessment and formation of the quality of raw fish and fishery products from catch to consumption ". – Minsk, Information Computer Centre of the Ministry of Finance, 2017. - 144 p.
13. A. Krasouskaya. Sensory evaluation of quality descriptors of Carp family fish. – Journal «Food processing industry: science and technology». – 2017. – Nº 1.
• SPCF won three projects in the State program of the scientific researches "Quality and efficiency of agro-industrial production" for 2016-2020, subprogram "Food security":
o Research of microflora of the fish grown in Belarus for application in predictive models of the spoilage analysis at storage and processing of fish raw materials. Timeframe– 2016-2018.
o Scientific complex research of quality and safety of the fish and fish products presented at the market of the Republic of Belarus. Timeframe– 2016-2019.
o Research of influence of the natural stabilising components and microorganisms on technological processes of canned production for the purpose of improvement of quality and competitiveness. Timeframe – 2016-2018.
• SPCF prepared several reports and studies relevant to the pilot project in Belarus:
o Analytical report on the conditions and trends of the development of the agro-industrial sector in the Republic of Belarus, with an emphasis on production and processing of fish and seafood.
o Analytical review (report) on the analysis of the study consumer preferences and consumer perception of fish and seafood; identification of quality indicators defining factors when making purchases of fish and seafood.
o Report on the development of sensory quality evaluation model of fish and seafood.
o Report on the system of assessment and formation the quality of raw fish and fishery products from catch to consumer.
• SPCF's staff organised 5 seminars for specialists of food enterprises on the base of the knowledge obtained by the project.
o 14-18.09.2015 - Seminar «Sensory analysis in formation of the quality of food raw materials and food products». 13 persons received their diplomas of selected assessors.
o 20-23.10.2015 - Training seminar on the preparation of selected assessors for alcohol production and alcoholic beverages. Theoretical and practical training for the course were conducted. 17 persons received their certificates of qualification improvement in organoleptic (sensory) analysis of quality control of food raw materials, products of alcohol production and spirits.
o 25-29.04.2016 - Training seminar on the preparation of selected assessors «Sensory analysis and formation of quality food raw materials and products of alcohol production and alcoholic beverages». 15 persons received their certificates.
o 27.11.2016 -02.12.2016 - Training courses for professionals of the food industry of the Republic of Belarus "Sensory analysis and formation of quality food raw materials and products of wine production (secondary winemaking, cognac, calvados)»
o 27.02.2017-03.03.2017 - Training seminar on the preparation of selected assessors for alcohol production and alcoholic beverages.
• Finally the PhD student Alena Krasouskaya benefited from the pilot project for her thesis on the "Improvement of technology and assessment of consumer properties of the fish products enriched by biologically active substances"; 2015-2018.
R2I pilot project in Georgia: Wine production optimisation using bio-technologies and zoning techniques. The main results of the pilot project in Georgia consist in:
• Several scientific publications based on the pilot project's training modules and knowledge exchange:
1. G. Goletiani, N. Baghturia, N. Begiashvili,. Food products technology (text book), Published by “Kartuli Akademiuri Tsigni”, pages 570. Tbilisi. 2015.
2. N. Baghaturia, T. Nanitashvili, N. Begiashvili. “European type table grape peptide amino acids”. Scientific magazine - Agro-economic science and technologies No2. Tbilisi. 2015
3. G. Atukishvili, I. Chanturia. “Wine ageing on sediment”. Scientific magazine - Georgian engineering news, N2, vol.74 2015, Tbilisi.
4. G. Atukishvili, I. Chanturia, M. Khomasuridze, Z. Geliashvili. “Yeast influence on red wine phenol mixtures”. Georgian chemical journal, N2, vol. 15, Tbilisi. 2015.
5. N. Chkhartishvili, G. Aleksidze. Vinery – Agro technologies; (monograph), GTU publishing house, 260 pages. 2016. Tbilisi.
6. M. Meskhidze, Z. Geliashvili. “colour intense, colour tones and general phenol mix research in wines”; Georgian Young Scientist Academy, International science journal “Intelektuali” N312016 y. p. 220-227, Tbilisi.
7. L. M. Chkuaseli, M.B. Khomasuridze, M.Z. Meskhidze. Oxidation prevention in wine materials of “Tsolikauri” grapes. Science Magazine - Georgian engineering news. N.1 (77), 2016; p. 102-109, Tbilisi.
8. L. M. Chkuaseli, M.B. Khomasuridze, M.Z. Meskhidze. Oxidised wine processing. Georgian chemical journal N1, 2016 y. p.92-98 Tbilisi.
9. N. Baghaturia, Oenology. (monograph) Publisher “Kartuli Akademiuri Tsigni”,2016, pages 419, Tbilisi.
• GTU won three projects relevant to the pilot project's activities and funded by different Georgian programmes:
o “Wine red grape sorts in non-traditional cultivation zones, bio-grapes and wine making”; Georgian patriarchate’s viticulture research center; 2015-2017.
o “Anti-oxidant non-alcoholic wine making rational technologies research using wine processing leftovers”; Georgian Ministry of education and science; 2016-2017.
o “Making rational technologies on making hydrate pectin’s of grape raw materials and based on it making radio protective food products”; Georgian Ministry of education and science; 2016-2017.
• GTU prepared a report on the 'Viticulture of Georgia' and presented the results to a large pool of Georgian wine makers and industrial actors.
Potential Impact:
The SUAFRI-EPC project was expected to achieve the following potential impacts:
1. To foster mutually beneficial public-private-partnership between EU Member States and/or Associated Countries and EPC countries through the market uptake of research results.
2. To contribute to the achievement of a Common Knowledge and Innovation Space between the EU and EPC countries through enhancing cooperation between research and innovation actors on both sides.
3. To increase the potential of STI cooperation between EU Member States and/or Associated Countries and EPC countries under European funding programmes and to contribute to the definition of bi-regional programmes on innovation.
We now step through each of these, one-by-one:
1. To foster mutually beneficial public-private-partnership between EU Member States and/or Associated Countries and EPC countries through the market uptake of research results.
SUAFRI-EPC helped to create this impact via its many and varied activities to boost EPC-EU technology transfer:
• Produced and disseminated an online promotional brochure featuring 42 EPC organisations and technologies. 510 hard copies of the promotional brochure were distributed during the course of the project and downloaded/viewed more than 110 times online.
• Organised three successful brokerage events in Armenia attracting 59 participants (October 2015), in Belarus attracting 55 participants (June 2016) and in Ukraine attracting 54 participants (November 2016).
• Organised three successful technology transfer summer schools in Aarhus (Denmark - September/October 2014), Bologna (Italy - October 2015) and Rennes (France - October 2016) attracting 50 EPC participants.
• Implemented three bilateral research-to-innovation (R2I) pilot projects relevant to Societal Challenge 2:
o R2I pilot project implemented in Armenia: Production methods to optimise economical and environmental sustainability in aquaculture and apiculture sectors.
o R2I pilot project implemented in Belarus: Development of consumer preferences for fish and seafood.
o R2I pilot project implemented in Georgia: Wine production optimisation using bio-technologies and zoning techniques.
• Provided hands-on support to six selected EPC R2I teams to help them understanding how to review exploitation models/commercialisation pathways, by taking into consideration both the market potential and the opportunities of upscaling in the international arena.
2. To contribute to the achievement of a Common Knowledge and Innovation Space between the EU and EPC countries through enhancing cooperation between research and innovation actors on both sides.
SUAFRI-EPC helped to create this impact via policy dialogue, capacity building in human resources and infrastructures, cooperation in research and innovation, and mobility:
Policy dialogue
• Organised three innovation policy dialogue exercises successfully held in Armenia (October 2015), in Belarus (June 2016) and in Ukraine (November 2016).
• Produced a "Report on technology transfer opportunities and bottlenecks in EPC countries". The report has been printed out in hardcopies by EPC partners to distribute it to key policy makers after the end of the project.
Capacity building in human resources and infrastructures
• Provided extensive training, education, coaching and advisory activities via three summer schools, three R2I pilot projects and innovation support services provided to the six EPC research/technology teams.
Cooperation in research and innovation
• Organised three successful brokerage events in Armenia (October 2015), in Belarus (June 2016) and in Ukraine (November 2016).
• Implemented the three R2I pilot projects in Armenia, Belarus and Georgia.
• Provided innovation support services to the six EPC research/technology teams.
Mobility
• Implemented the three R2I pilot projects in Armenia, Belarus and Georgia over a three year period which involved short-term staff exchanges and training in scientific techniques.
3. To increase the potential of STI cooperation between EU Member States and/or Associated Countries and EPC countries under European funding programmes and to contribute to the definition of bi-regional programmes on innovation.
SUAFRI-EPC helped to create this impact in the following ways:
• Thanks to his participation to the SUAFRI-EPC brokerage event, the European expert Tamas Gyulai, from Tehimpuls Association (Romania), submitted a EuropeAid proposal under the "Pilot Regional Development Programme (PRDP) - Armenia" call. The proposal was prepared together with the Armenian organisations, Technology Transfer Association and the National Center for Support of Agriculture, met during the 1st brokerage event.
• Thanks to his participation to the SUAFRI-EPC brokerage event, the European expert Dr. Guido Bonati, from the Council for Research and Economics in Agriculture (Italy), developed business opportunities and following the 1st brokerage event he is now providing short-term consultancy in Armenia based on his lengthy experience of technology transfer activities and applied knowledge in implementing and supporting the research to innovation process in Italy.
• Thanks to his participation to the SUAFRI-EPC brokerage event, Dr. Hrabin Bachev, from the Institute of Agricultural Economics (Bulgaria), also had good outcomes from the brokerage event in Armenia and published a scientific paper in the Bulletin of the Armenian National Agrarian University: (52)4, 111-117 (Bachev H (2015): "Environmental Governance in Bulgarian Agriculture – Evolution, Challenges, Lessons for Armenia".
• Thanks to their participation to the SUAFRI-EPC brokerage event, Dr. Olivier Rouaud and Dr. Cyril Toublanc, from ONIRIS – Nantes National College of Veterinary Medecine, Food Science and Engineering (France), developed their network of EPC contacts based on their participation to the 2nd brokerage event in Belarus. Few months later the consortium also transfer them the contact details of Dr. Volodymyr Potapov from Kharkiv State University of Food Technology and Trade who is also working in the field of refrigeration and chilling technologies for future collaboration.
• Based on the R2I pilot project's results, the partner AUA (Armenia) created a non-governmental organisation 'Towards Sustainable Aquaculture NGO’, aiming at implementing Recirculation Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in Armenian fish farms. AUA developed considerably its network of contacts in local fish farms from Ararat and Vayots Dzor provinces of Armenia as well as Georgia. Due to the success of the NGO and the high demand for consulting services in aquaculture and RAS in Armenia and also Georgia, the partner AUA is currently registering a start-up company at the Chamber of Commerce.
• The selected technology (WP6) from Life Sciences Postgraduate Educational Center received support from two investors - Max Nielsen (MaxInno, Denmark) and Thomas Gering (Intellectual Asset Management Corporation, Switzerland) - who participated to the SUAFRI-EPC summer schools as trainers. The two investors supported the technological development of the innovation, analysed the market potential and validated the technical viability of the technology.
• In April 2016, four SUAFRI-EPC partners - TII, Intelligentsia, AUA and GTU – submitted the HEI-ACT proposal (Modernise management and functioning of higher education by increasing entrepreneurial skills and internationalisation of institutions in EPC) to the ERASMUS+ scheme. In the evaluation it was assessed to be a “Good quality application” but was not financed through lack of funding. The partners hope to improve and re-submit the proposal in 2017.
Meanwhile, the project's main dissemination activities included:
• Design and maintenance of a project website (www.suafri-epc.eu). The website was regularly updated with news articles and relevant information. Over the project duration, the website received over 6,900 unique visitors.
• Production of a SUAFRI-EPC project leaflet (A4 size, double sided) and a project poster (A1 size) that were distributed during related events and conferences.
• Production of five (5) project newsletters over the course of the project that were distributed to the SUAFRI-EPC email distribution list and announced on several LinkedIn interest groups.
• Dissemination of project results and knowledge sharing with other R2I projects targeting EPC countries. Participation to eight (8) R2I cluster meetings and organisation of one (1) R2I meeting in Luxembourg.
The consortium made considerable efforts to advertise the project using promotion materials and project results via the following events:
• Cooperation of the EU and Eastern Partnership countries in addressing climate change (Armenia); May 2014.
• SCST delegation in Lithuania and Latvia for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Lithuania); May 2014.
• H2020 Infoday; (Armenia) June 2014.
• "The economic growth of the Republic of Belarus (Czech Republic); September 2014.
• XXI International Symposium Innovation 2014; December 2014.
• EEN workshop (Ukraine); February 2015.
• International Business Forum - Problems and Prospects of Innovation Activities in Ukraine (Ukraine); March 2015.
• SUAFRI-EPC Brokerage event in Armenia; October 2015.
• SUAFRI-EPC Brokerage event in Belarus; June 2016.
• SUAFRI-EPC Brokerage event in Ukraine; November 2016.
• ХIV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry» (Belarus); October 2015.
• International Workshop “Expertise and Evaluation of Research Projects in EaP countries”; IncoNet EaP Project (Ukraine); October 2015.
• Exhibition of scientific and technological achievements and innovative activities dedicated to the Day of Belarusian Science (Belarus); January 2016.
• First Ukrainian Forum “Instruments of financial and technical support of small and medium-sized businesses – “Horizon 2020” (Ukraine); February 2016.
• Forum on Entrepreneurship (Ukraine); April 2016.
• Workshop on commercialization of research results : "Opportunities for Ukrainian Start-ups" (Ukraine); April 2016.
• Workshop: Financial support for the commercialization of scientific and technical activities (Belarus); May 2016.
• CTCN Regional Forum for NDEs (Kazakhstan); June 2016.
• H2020 Association Launching Event and Infoday (Armenia); June 2016.
• Fair of initiatives in the field of entrepreneurship (Belarus); July 2016.
• FP7 NoGAP final conference in Cluj-Napoca (Romania); July 2016.
• Forum of business ideas (Belarus); October 2016.
• International Agro-industrial Forum Agroport-East (Ukraine); October 2016.
• Fair of Innovative Ideas «Smart patent'16» (Belarus); November 2016.
• H2020 Association conference and Infoday (Armenia); November 2016.
• Workshop "Horizon 2020: European Research Council grants" (Ukraine); December 2016.
• Exhibition of scientific and technological achievements and innovative activities dedicated to the Day of Belarusian Science (Belarus); January 2017.
• Workshop in framework of the Day of Belarusian Science (Belarus); January 2017.
• Workshop for graduate students on education program "Innovation Management" (Belarus); February 2017.
List of Websites:
http://suafri-epc.eu(opens in new window)
The overall aim of the SUAFRI-EPC project is to bridge the gap between Agri-Food research and innovation in Eastern Partnering Countries (EPC), by bringing together all actors of the knowledge value chain and raising their awareness on how to uptake research results into innovation. Agri-Food is a key economic sector in EPC countries with many advantages for the EU but which also need international support to raise standards and reach European state of the art. The SUAFRI-EPC is supporting the Agri-Food sector and community in EPC by developing the basis for an efficient "Research to Innovation - R2I" process with the support of European partnering specialists.
The main work and results achieved during the project were the following:
WP2 – Networking
• Final version of the online promotional brochure featured 42 EPC organisations and technologies. 510 hard copies of the promotional brochure were distributed during the course of the project and downloaded/viewed more than 110 times online.
• Successful brokerage events were held in Armenia attracting 59 participants (October 2015), in Belarus attracting 55 participants (June 2016) and in Ukraine attracting 54 participants (November 2016).
WP3 – Cooperation and Knowledge Transfer Analysis
• Audits were successfully conducted of eight (8) EPC RDI organisations.
• Based on the SMART scan process, six (6) promising technologies form EPC organisations were selected for innovation support.
• Three (3) policy debates were held in Armenia (October 2015), Belarus (June 2016) and Ukraine (November 2016).
• A comprehensive report on technology transfer opportunities and bottlenecks in EPC countries was produced and published.
WP4 – Best Practices Exchange
• Technology transfer summer schools were successfully held in Aarhus (Denmark - September/October 2014), Bologna (Italy - October 2015) and Rennes (France - October 2016) attracting 50 EPC participants.
WP5 – Twinning via R2I Pilot Projects
• R2I pilot project implemented in Armenia: Production methods to optimise economical and environmental sustainability in aquaculture and apiculture sectors.
• R2I pilot project implemented in Belarus: Development of consumer preferences for fish and seafood.
• R2I pilot project implemented in Georgia: Wine production optimisation using bio-technologies and zoning techniques.
WP6 – Innovation Support Services
Hands-on support provided to the six EPC research/technology teams which helped them to understand how to review exploitation models/commercialisation pathways by taking into consideration both the market potentials and their opportunities of upscaling in the international arena.
WP7 – Dissemination and Promotion
• Project website received over 6,900 unique visitors,
• Five project newsletters have been produced and disseminated to a large audience of Agri-Food actors.
• The results of the pilot projects appeared in 18 scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and they were presented at 11 international conferences.
• Participation to eight (8) R2I cluster meetings and organisation of one (1) R2I meeting in Luxembourg.
Project Context and Objectives:
The overall aim of the SUAFRI-EPC project is to bridge the gap between Agri-Food research and innovation in Eastern Partnering Countries (EPC), by bringing together all actors of the knowledge value chain and raising their awareness on how to uptake research results into innovation.
Agri-Food is a key economic sector in EPC countries. Agri-Food sector is rather disparate in the targeted countries. In Armenia, Agri-food sector is contributing with 21 percent of value added to GDP and employing around 46 percent of the total labour force but the sector has an overall low productivity. In Belarus, the agricultural sector is contributing with 10 percent of value added to GDP employing around 10 percent of the total labour force and growing in productivity at an annual rate ranging between 1,0 and 13,2 percent. In Ukraine the Agri-Food sector is contributing with 8 percent of value added to GDP and employed around 16
percent of the total labour force. Manufacturing industry generated above 18 percent of GDP with a negative annual growth as of -26.6 percent after a steady growth during last decade averaged 10.5 percent. In Georgia, the agricultural sector contributed with only 10 percent of value added to GDP but employed above 54 of total labour force. Agriculture productivity is low but it has improved in industrial sector since last years.
EPC countries have a real potential in Agri-Food sector for the local market as well as for exports. Nevertheless, it needs to improve and upgrade its production capability and increase the quality of food products. Armenia, Belarus and Ukraine are exporting more than what they import and the Agri-Food sector can offer concrete social and economic opportunities to the countries. As evidence, Ukraine is already the world’s largest exporter of sunflower oil and among the world’s largest exporters of grain and sugar. Their potential is also justified by their memberships to the Codex Alimentarius Commission and of the International Organisation of Standardization (ISO).
The project objectives consist in:
• Networking between Agri-Food actors: Mapping EPC RDI organisations and organise brokerage events to stimulate cooperation;
• Analysing the tech transfer opportunities and bottlenecks of EPC organisations involved in RDI Agri-Food activities. It consisted of surveying these organisations and holding discussions with representatives of government, industry and scientists.
• Exchanging best practices in knowledge/technology transfer via a range of specific training courses and intensive summer school in Europe.
• Twinning via R2I pilot projects: each EPC research partner twinned with another consortium partner who supported them to implement a bilateral R2I pilot project;
• Providing innovation support services to high-potential EPC (and European) RDI Agri-Food organisations: the activities consisted of coaching and advisory services on innovation and tech-transfer.
Project Results:
The main S&T results/foregrounds came from the three bilateral Research-to-Innovation pilot projects relevant to the Societal Challenge II “Food security, Sustainable agriculture, Marine and Maritime research and the Bio-economy”. The three-year collaboration pilot projects involved short-term exchanges and training in scientific topics.
R2I pilot project in Armenia: 'Production methods to optimise economical and environmental sustainability in aquaculture and apiculture sectors'. The main results of the pilot project in Armenia consist in:
• The creation of the Non-Governmental Organisation 'Towards Sustainable Aquaculture NGO’ and the foundation of a start-up company to be registered at the Chamber of Commerce in 2017.
• Several scientific publications based on the pilot project's training modules and knowledge exchange:
1. Aghababyan K. and Khanamirian G. 2014. Opportunities and restrictions for sustainable development of aquaculture in Armenia:. Rybovodstvo i rybnoe khozyaistvo. N6: 41-49, N7: 38-42.
2. Arushanyan T.A Aghababyan K.E. Khanamirian G.G. Tamamyan G.N. Asatryan M.А., Zakaryan A.N. 2014. Feasibility of adoption of water recirculation systems for fish-farms of Ararat Plain in Armenia. Proceedings of International Conference “Biological diversity and conservation problems of the fauna of the Caucasus - 2”, September 23-26, 2014, Yerevan, Armenia, 37-40.
3. Aghababyan K., Khanamiryan G., Ghukasyan E., Badalyan N. 2015. Abundance of narrow-clawed crayfishes (Astacus leptodactylus Eschscholtz, 1823) and its trends in Lake Sevan, Armenia. Journal of Aquaculture Engineering and Fisheries Research, 1(3):116-124.
4. Aghababyan K., and Khanamirian G. 2015. Pollution of freshwater ecosystems by products of water disinfection and disease prevention chemicals. Electronic Journal of Natural Sciences, National Academy of Sciences of RA, 1(24): 72-75.
5. Khanamirian G., and Aghababyan K. 2015. State of population of Brown Trout (Salmo trutta m. fario) in the rivers of Armenia. World Journal of Fish and Marine Sciences 7 (2): 123-128.
6. Asatryan, M., Aghababyan, K., Khanamirian, G., Ben Ohanyan, N., Arushanyan, T., Tamamyan, G. 2015. Assessment of opportunities for development of aquaponics systems in Armenia. Electronic Journal of Natural Sciences, National Academy of Sciences of RA, 2(25): 1-5.
7. Khanamirian G., and Aghababyan K. 2015. Towards Sustainable Aquaculture in Armenia: Strengthening Capacity through Advanced Technologies of Trout-Farm Management for Small-Scale Producers. Journal of Aquaculture & Marine Biology, 2 (5): 1-8.
• Proposals submitted to funding programmes and industrial contracts:
o The proposal ‘Adoption of innovative water reuse systems, supporting the development of Sustainable Aquaculture in Armenia’ submitted to the Cooperation Fund for the Water Sector of Asian Development Bank.
o Industrial contracts for the development of tailored RAS were signed with i) Agribusiness Teaching Center and ii) Mendez, England and Associates.
• PhD students benefiting from the exchange of knowledge and training modules:
1. Gayane Tamamyan “Development of Management System for the Organic Fish Production in Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2013-2014. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
2. Arpine Zakaryan “Opportunities of integration of second use of aquaculture wastewater into crop production in Ararat Plain of Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2013-2014. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
3. Tatevik Arushanyan “Feasibility of Adoption of Water Recirculation System for Fish-farms of Ararat Plain in Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2013-2014. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
4. Marine Asatryan “Model Cycle for Producing Organic Vegetables using Aquaponics for Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2013-2014. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
5. Norayr Ben Ohanian “Comparing aquaponics system performance in greenhouse system and open-air system” American University of Armenia. 2014-2015. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
6. Elmira Tarkhanyan “Feasibility of use of demand feeders in Rainbow Trout farming in Armenia” American University of Armenia. 2014-2015. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
7. Astghik Kocharyan “Using Aquaponics as a Source of Organic Food for Armenian Market” American University of Armenia. 2014-2015. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
8. Julieta Mkoyan “Opportunities and Restrictions for Introduction of Recirculating Aquaculture Systems in Trout Production in Armenia”. 2015-2016. MSc in Industrial Engineering.
R2I pilot project in Belarus: 'Development of consumer preferences for fish and seafood'. The main results of the pilot project in Belarus consist in:
• Several scientific publications based on the pilot project's training modules and knowledge exchange:
1. I. Pochitskaya, S. Radkov. Prospects for using of fish waste. – Thesis of the report for the ХIV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry», Minsk, 8-9 October 2015.
2. I. Pochitskaya, A. Krasouskaya. Biologically active substances of seaweed focus. – Thesis of the report for the ХIV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry», Minsk, 8-9 October 2015.
3. I. Labazava, I. Pochitskaya, S. Golubeva. Comparative analysis of the application of predictive microbiology models growth L.monocytogenes at different temperatures. – Journal «Food processing industry: science and technology». – 2015. – Nº 4.
4. A. Krasouskaya, I. Pochitskaya. Assessment freshness of the fish using the method of quality indexes. – Thesis of the report for the X International scientific conference of students and post-graduates «Technique and technology of food production». – 28-29 April 2016, Mogilev.
5. A. Krasouskaya, I. Pochitskaya. New approaches to the assessment sensory characteristics of fresh fish. - Thesis of the report for the XIII International scientific-practical conference "Food Ecology Quality". - 18-19 May 2016, Krasnoiarsk.
6. I. Pochitskaya, I. Labazava. Application of predictive microbiology models for L.monocytogenes in frozen mixed vegetables. – Journal «Food processing industry». 2016, Nº7.
7. А. Kozeltseva, I. Pochitskaya, I. Labazava, E. Petrova. Distinctive features of the isolation and identification of Listeria monocytogenes in fish and fish products. – Journal «Food processing industry: science and technology». – 2016. – Nº 3.
8. H. Sadouskaya, A. Krasouskaya, C. Zhakova. Storage and packaging of fish and fish products. – Thesis of the report for the ХV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry», Minsk, 5-6 October 2016.
9. I. Pochitskaya, A. Krasouskaya. Creating of fish freshness schemes by a method of quality indexes (QIM). – Thesis of the report for the ХV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry», Minsk, 5-6 October 2016.
10. I. Pochitskaya, A. Krasouskaya. New approaches to sensory assessment of the quality of fish of the Belarusian fishery. - Union of Science and Practice: Current Problems and Prospects for the Development of Commodity Research ": The collection of scientific articles of the international scientific and practical conference, Gomel, 4 November 2016.
11. A. Krasouskaya. H. Sadouskaya. The system for assessing and shaping the quality of fish raw materials and fish products from catch to consumption. - Youth in Science - 2016: The collection of scientific articles of the international scientific conference of young scientists, Minsk, 22-25 November 2016.
12. Z. Lovkis, E. Morgunova, I. Pochitskaya, H. Sadouskaya, A. Krasouskaya. Guide for technologists "The system of assessment and formation of the quality of raw fish and fishery products from catch to consumption ". – Minsk, Information Computer Centre of the Ministry of Finance, 2017. - 144 p.
13. A. Krasouskaya. Sensory evaluation of quality descriptors of Carp family fish. – Journal «Food processing industry: science and technology». – 2017. – Nº 1.
• SPCF won three projects in the State program of the scientific researches "Quality and efficiency of agro-industrial production" for 2016-2020, subprogram "Food security":
o Research of microflora of the fish grown in Belarus for application in predictive models of the spoilage analysis at storage and processing of fish raw materials. Timeframe– 2016-2018.
o Scientific complex research of quality and safety of the fish and fish products presented at the market of the Republic of Belarus. Timeframe– 2016-2019.
o Research of influence of the natural stabilising components and microorganisms on technological processes of canned production for the purpose of improvement of quality and competitiveness. Timeframe – 2016-2018.
• SPCF prepared several reports and studies relevant to the pilot project in Belarus:
o Analytical report on the conditions and trends of the development of the agro-industrial sector in the Republic of Belarus, with an emphasis on production and processing of fish and seafood.
o Analytical review (report) on the analysis of the study consumer preferences and consumer perception of fish and seafood; identification of quality indicators defining factors when making purchases of fish and seafood.
o Report on the development of sensory quality evaluation model of fish and seafood.
o Report on the system of assessment and formation the quality of raw fish and fishery products from catch to consumer.
• SPCF's staff organised 5 seminars for specialists of food enterprises on the base of the knowledge obtained by the project.
o 14-18.09.2015 - Seminar «Sensory analysis in formation of the quality of food raw materials and food products». 13 persons received their diplomas of selected assessors.
o 20-23.10.2015 - Training seminar on the preparation of selected assessors for alcohol production and alcoholic beverages. Theoretical and practical training for the course were conducted. 17 persons received their certificates of qualification improvement in organoleptic (sensory) analysis of quality control of food raw materials, products of alcohol production and spirits.
o 25-29.04.2016 - Training seminar on the preparation of selected assessors «Sensory analysis and formation of quality food raw materials and products of alcohol production and alcoholic beverages». 15 persons received their certificates.
o 27.11.2016 -02.12.2016 - Training courses for professionals of the food industry of the Republic of Belarus "Sensory analysis and formation of quality food raw materials and products of wine production (secondary winemaking, cognac, calvados)»
o 27.02.2017-03.03.2017 - Training seminar on the preparation of selected assessors for alcohol production and alcoholic beverages.
• Finally the PhD student Alena Krasouskaya benefited from the pilot project for her thesis on the "Improvement of technology and assessment of consumer properties of the fish products enriched by biologically active substances"; 2015-2018.
R2I pilot project in Georgia: Wine production optimisation using bio-technologies and zoning techniques. The main results of the pilot project in Georgia consist in:
• Several scientific publications based on the pilot project's training modules and knowledge exchange:
1. G. Goletiani, N. Baghturia, N. Begiashvili,. Food products technology (text book), Published by “Kartuli Akademiuri Tsigni”, pages 570. Tbilisi. 2015.
2. N. Baghaturia, T. Nanitashvili, N. Begiashvili. “European type table grape peptide amino acids”. Scientific magazine - Agro-economic science and technologies No2. Tbilisi. 2015
3. G. Atukishvili, I. Chanturia. “Wine ageing on sediment”. Scientific magazine - Georgian engineering news, N2, vol.74 2015, Tbilisi.
4. G. Atukishvili, I. Chanturia, M. Khomasuridze, Z. Geliashvili. “Yeast influence on red wine phenol mixtures”. Georgian chemical journal, N2, vol. 15, Tbilisi. 2015.
5. N. Chkhartishvili, G. Aleksidze. Vinery – Agro technologies; (monograph), GTU publishing house, 260 pages. 2016. Tbilisi.
6. M. Meskhidze, Z. Geliashvili. “colour intense, colour tones and general phenol mix research in wines”; Georgian Young Scientist Academy, International science journal “Intelektuali” N312016 y. p. 220-227, Tbilisi.
7. L. M. Chkuaseli, M.B. Khomasuridze, M.Z. Meskhidze. Oxidation prevention in wine materials of “Tsolikauri” grapes. Science Magazine - Georgian engineering news. N.1 (77), 2016; p. 102-109, Tbilisi.
8. L. M. Chkuaseli, M.B. Khomasuridze, M.Z. Meskhidze. Oxidised wine processing. Georgian chemical journal N1, 2016 y. p.92-98 Tbilisi.
9. N. Baghaturia, Oenology. (monograph) Publisher “Kartuli Akademiuri Tsigni”,2016, pages 419, Tbilisi.
• GTU won three projects relevant to the pilot project's activities and funded by different Georgian programmes:
o “Wine red grape sorts in non-traditional cultivation zones, bio-grapes and wine making”; Georgian patriarchate’s viticulture research center; 2015-2017.
o “Anti-oxidant non-alcoholic wine making rational technologies research using wine processing leftovers”; Georgian Ministry of education and science; 2016-2017.
o “Making rational technologies on making hydrate pectin’s of grape raw materials and based on it making radio protective food products”; Georgian Ministry of education and science; 2016-2017.
• GTU prepared a report on the 'Viticulture of Georgia' and presented the results to a large pool of Georgian wine makers and industrial actors.
Potential Impact:
The SUAFRI-EPC project was expected to achieve the following potential impacts:
1. To foster mutually beneficial public-private-partnership between EU Member States and/or Associated Countries and EPC countries through the market uptake of research results.
2. To contribute to the achievement of a Common Knowledge and Innovation Space between the EU and EPC countries through enhancing cooperation between research and innovation actors on both sides.
3. To increase the potential of STI cooperation between EU Member States and/or Associated Countries and EPC countries under European funding programmes and to contribute to the definition of bi-regional programmes on innovation.
We now step through each of these, one-by-one:
1. To foster mutually beneficial public-private-partnership between EU Member States and/or Associated Countries and EPC countries through the market uptake of research results.
SUAFRI-EPC helped to create this impact via its many and varied activities to boost EPC-EU technology transfer:
• Produced and disseminated an online promotional brochure featuring 42 EPC organisations and technologies. 510 hard copies of the promotional brochure were distributed during the course of the project and downloaded/viewed more than 110 times online.
• Organised three successful brokerage events in Armenia attracting 59 participants (October 2015), in Belarus attracting 55 participants (June 2016) and in Ukraine attracting 54 participants (November 2016).
• Organised three successful technology transfer summer schools in Aarhus (Denmark - September/October 2014), Bologna (Italy - October 2015) and Rennes (France - October 2016) attracting 50 EPC participants.
• Implemented three bilateral research-to-innovation (R2I) pilot projects relevant to Societal Challenge 2:
o R2I pilot project implemented in Armenia: Production methods to optimise economical and environmental sustainability in aquaculture and apiculture sectors.
o R2I pilot project implemented in Belarus: Development of consumer preferences for fish and seafood.
o R2I pilot project implemented in Georgia: Wine production optimisation using bio-technologies and zoning techniques.
• Provided hands-on support to six selected EPC R2I teams to help them understanding how to review exploitation models/commercialisation pathways, by taking into consideration both the market potential and the opportunities of upscaling in the international arena.
2. To contribute to the achievement of a Common Knowledge and Innovation Space between the EU and EPC countries through enhancing cooperation between research and innovation actors on both sides.
SUAFRI-EPC helped to create this impact via policy dialogue, capacity building in human resources and infrastructures, cooperation in research and innovation, and mobility:
Policy dialogue
• Organised three innovation policy dialogue exercises successfully held in Armenia (October 2015), in Belarus (June 2016) and in Ukraine (November 2016).
• Produced a "Report on technology transfer opportunities and bottlenecks in EPC countries". The report has been printed out in hardcopies by EPC partners to distribute it to key policy makers after the end of the project.
Capacity building in human resources and infrastructures
• Provided extensive training, education, coaching and advisory activities via three summer schools, three R2I pilot projects and innovation support services provided to the six EPC research/technology teams.
Cooperation in research and innovation
• Organised three successful brokerage events in Armenia (October 2015), in Belarus (June 2016) and in Ukraine (November 2016).
• Implemented the three R2I pilot projects in Armenia, Belarus and Georgia.
• Provided innovation support services to the six EPC research/technology teams.
Mobility
• Implemented the three R2I pilot projects in Armenia, Belarus and Georgia over a three year period which involved short-term staff exchanges and training in scientific techniques.
3. To increase the potential of STI cooperation between EU Member States and/or Associated Countries and EPC countries under European funding programmes and to contribute to the definition of bi-regional programmes on innovation.
SUAFRI-EPC helped to create this impact in the following ways:
• Thanks to his participation to the SUAFRI-EPC brokerage event, the European expert Tamas Gyulai, from Tehimpuls Association (Romania), submitted a EuropeAid proposal under the "Pilot Regional Development Programme (PRDP) - Armenia" call. The proposal was prepared together with the Armenian organisations, Technology Transfer Association and the National Center for Support of Agriculture, met during the 1st brokerage event.
• Thanks to his participation to the SUAFRI-EPC brokerage event, the European expert Dr. Guido Bonati, from the Council for Research and Economics in Agriculture (Italy), developed business opportunities and following the 1st brokerage event he is now providing short-term consultancy in Armenia based on his lengthy experience of technology transfer activities and applied knowledge in implementing and supporting the research to innovation process in Italy.
• Thanks to his participation to the SUAFRI-EPC brokerage event, Dr. Hrabin Bachev, from the Institute of Agricultural Economics (Bulgaria), also had good outcomes from the brokerage event in Armenia and published a scientific paper in the Bulletin of the Armenian National Agrarian University: (52)4, 111-117 (Bachev H (2015): "Environmental Governance in Bulgarian Agriculture – Evolution, Challenges, Lessons for Armenia".
• Thanks to their participation to the SUAFRI-EPC brokerage event, Dr. Olivier Rouaud and Dr. Cyril Toublanc, from ONIRIS – Nantes National College of Veterinary Medecine, Food Science and Engineering (France), developed their network of EPC contacts based on their participation to the 2nd brokerage event in Belarus. Few months later the consortium also transfer them the contact details of Dr. Volodymyr Potapov from Kharkiv State University of Food Technology and Trade who is also working in the field of refrigeration and chilling technologies for future collaboration.
• Based on the R2I pilot project's results, the partner AUA (Armenia) created a non-governmental organisation 'Towards Sustainable Aquaculture NGO’, aiming at implementing Recirculation Aquaculture Systems (RAS) in Armenian fish farms. AUA developed considerably its network of contacts in local fish farms from Ararat and Vayots Dzor provinces of Armenia as well as Georgia. Due to the success of the NGO and the high demand for consulting services in aquaculture and RAS in Armenia and also Georgia, the partner AUA is currently registering a start-up company at the Chamber of Commerce.
• The selected technology (WP6) from Life Sciences Postgraduate Educational Center received support from two investors - Max Nielsen (MaxInno, Denmark) and Thomas Gering (Intellectual Asset Management Corporation, Switzerland) - who participated to the SUAFRI-EPC summer schools as trainers. The two investors supported the technological development of the innovation, analysed the market potential and validated the technical viability of the technology.
• In April 2016, four SUAFRI-EPC partners - TII, Intelligentsia, AUA and GTU – submitted the HEI-ACT proposal (Modernise management and functioning of higher education by increasing entrepreneurial skills and internationalisation of institutions in EPC) to the ERASMUS+ scheme. In the evaluation it was assessed to be a “Good quality application” but was not financed through lack of funding. The partners hope to improve and re-submit the proposal in 2017.
Meanwhile, the project's main dissemination activities included:
• Design and maintenance of a project website (www.suafri-epc.eu). The website was regularly updated with news articles and relevant information. Over the project duration, the website received over 6,900 unique visitors.
• Production of a SUAFRI-EPC project leaflet (A4 size, double sided) and a project poster (A1 size) that were distributed during related events and conferences.
• Production of five (5) project newsletters over the course of the project that were distributed to the SUAFRI-EPC email distribution list and announced on several LinkedIn interest groups.
• Dissemination of project results and knowledge sharing with other R2I projects targeting EPC countries. Participation to eight (8) R2I cluster meetings and organisation of one (1) R2I meeting in Luxembourg.
The consortium made considerable efforts to advertise the project using promotion materials and project results via the following events:
• Cooperation of the EU and Eastern Partnership countries in addressing climate change (Armenia); May 2014.
• SCST delegation in Lithuania and Latvia for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (Lithuania); May 2014.
• H2020 Infoday; (Armenia) June 2014.
• "The economic growth of the Republic of Belarus (Czech Republic); September 2014.
• XXI International Symposium Innovation 2014; December 2014.
• EEN workshop (Ukraine); February 2015.
• International Business Forum - Problems and Prospects of Innovation Activities in Ukraine (Ukraine); March 2015.
• SUAFRI-EPC Brokerage event in Armenia; October 2015.
• SUAFRI-EPC Brokerage event in Belarus; June 2016.
• SUAFRI-EPC Brokerage event in Ukraine; November 2016.
• ХIV International scientific-practical conference «Innovative technologies in the food processing industry» (Belarus); October 2015.
• International Workshop “Expertise and Evaluation of Research Projects in EaP countries”; IncoNet EaP Project (Ukraine); October 2015.
• Exhibition of scientific and technological achievements and innovative activities dedicated to the Day of Belarusian Science (Belarus); January 2016.
• First Ukrainian Forum “Instruments of financial and technical support of small and medium-sized businesses – “Horizon 2020” (Ukraine); February 2016.
• Forum on Entrepreneurship (Ukraine); April 2016.
• Workshop on commercialization of research results : "Opportunities for Ukrainian Start-ups" (Ukraine); April 2016.
• Workshop: Financial support for the commercialization of scientific and technical activities (Belarus); May 2016.
• CTCN Regional Forum for NDEs (Kazakhstan); June 2016.
• H2020 Association Launching Event and Infoday (Armenia); June 2016.
• Fair of initiatives in the field of entrepreneurship (Belarus); July 2016.
• FP7 NoGAP final conference in Cluj-Napoca (Romania); July 2016.
• Forum of business ideas (Belarus); October 2016.
• International Agro-industrial Forum Agroport-East (Ukraine); October 2016.
• Fair of Innovative Ideas «Smart patent'16» (Belarus); November 2016.
• H2020 Association conference and Infoday (Armenia); November 2016.
• Workshop "Horizon 2020: European Research Council grants" (Ukraine); December 2016.
• Exhibition of scientific and technological achievements and innovative activities dedicated to the Day of Belarusian Science (Belarus); January 2017.
• Workshop in framework of the Day of Belarusian Science (Belarus); January 2017.
• Workshop for graduate students on education program "Innovation Management" (Belarus); February 2017.
List of Websites:
http://suafri-epc.eu(opens in new window)