Objective TOWARDS is a 24-month SSA project, whose main objective is to support, promote and rigorously research the migration of agri-food SMEs networks/associations from a producer & regional focus (traditional net./assoc) towards a market & European orientation (innovative net./assoc): from fork to farm approach. TOWARDS aims to help implement the ERA by strengthening main Food Quality and Safety Priority's ''from fork to farm" approach, directly relevant to agri-food SMEs net/assoc, in regions of Europe stimulating interregional co-operation with particular attention given to innovation aspects. Market & client oriented agri-food net/assoc. pull SMEs to more rapidly assimilate innovation, what encourages growth and strengthens the competitiveness of the food sec tor in European and global markets.The goal of the project justifies its European nature, since best practices and experience is best gathered from similar networks in other countries. The project enrols 36 agri-food SMEs net./assoc.(18 traditional + 18 innovative), top-level experts including representatives of agri-food demand, regional & national public agencies, policy makers and professionals servicing agri-food sector. Firstly TOWARDS creates a Migration toolkit to evaluate 18 traditional agri-food net/ assoc. enrolled and strengthens them supporting their migration into becoming more market & client oriented (development of Migration plans & strategies).Further networks strengthening is facilitated through the exchange of best practices previously identified in 18 innovative net/assoc. enrolled. Secondly, TOWARDS creates an Agri- food Web Platform, sustainable beyond the project (Business plan) that involves and bring together around shared goals a range of agri-food players, carrying knowledge content and business information for agri-food networks and supporting their re-focusing towards clients. The project has an ambitious set of awareness creation & dissemination activities at regional, national & European level Keywords "fork to farm" approach Agri-food Platform Agri-food SMEs networks/associations Agri-food sector Food quality and safety Interregional Co-operation Sustainability Total food chain networking Programme(s) FP6-FOOD - Food Quality and Safety: Thematic priority 5 under the Focusing and Integrating Community Research programme 2002-2006. Topic(s) FOOD-2003-T0 - Realising ERA objectives - Promotion of SME participation - Stimulating international co-operation - Linking with Candidate Countries - Supporting policy development - Stimulating exploitation. Call for proposal FP6-2004-FOOD-3-C See other projects for this call Funding Scheme NoE - Network of Excellence Coordinator INSTITUTO ANDALUZ DE TECNOLOGIA EU contribution No data Address C/ Gutenberg s/n. Edificio IAT. Isla de la Cartuja SEVILLA Spain See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (6) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all EDDLESTON INNOVATION LIMITED United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address Laundry cottage, Bellfield Road EDDLESTON See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data THESSALONIKI TECHNOLOGY PARK / MANAGEMENT & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION S.A. Greece EU contribution No data Address 6th km Harilaou - Thermi Road 328 THERMI - THESSALONIKI See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY & AGRICULTURE Poland EU contribution No data Address Kordeckiego 20 BYDGOSZCZ See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data LIETUVOS INOVACIJU CENTRAS (LITHUANIAN INNOVATION CENTRE) Lithuania EU contribution No data Address T. SEVCENKOS 13 VILNIUS See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND INNOVATION - TDI LTD. Bulgaria EU contribution No data Address Mladost-3, bl. 318, entr. 5, floor 3, apt. 83 SOFIA See on map Total cost No data AGRITEC, RESEARCH, BREEDING & SERVICES, LTD. Czechia EU contribution No data Address Zemedelska 2520/16 SUMPERK See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data
