The VALERECO partners join forces to form a strong team, and bring together a wealth of experience from past and ongoing projects. The team consists of 15 partners from 11 countries, covering Central/Northern and Southern Europe. This diverse consortium guarantees that the project’s findings can be tailored to various European conditions. 

Their complementary skills and collective knowledge create an alliance that is well-positioned to achieve the project’s ambitious objectives. Their combined accomplishments demonstrate their capacity to bring about significant change and push the boundaries for a greener, more resilient future. The VALERECO team is a hub of expertise, including:

– 7 universities (AUA, UC, UNIFI, UNIPI, SSSA, WR, LUH)  contributing to the team with their significant research capacity and valuable expertise in legumes, weed science, agriculture, digital agenda, impact assessment, and policy design.This diverse expertise is remarkable and bodes well for the project’s potential.

– 3 research institutes (BSB, IFVCNS, INTIA) specialising in legumes, weed science, precision agriculture, organic production, behavioural research, social sciences, humanities, economics, marketing, and policy design.

– 1 advisory organisation (DELPHY) providing services, consulting, and transferring knowledge, technologies, and innovation in the agri-food sector.

– 1 non-profit organisation (RFF) dedicated to engaging end-users in co-creation, conducting behavioural research, and building capacity.

– 2 farmers’ organisations (AfL, AGFT) with broad end-user networks related to agri-food and digital agriculture, including farmers, SMEs, and consumers.

– 1 independent development organisation (HELVETAS) is assigned with the capacity building in Ukraine, Moldova, and Serbia.

Combining expertise in sustainable agriculture, ecosystem services, and innovative research, the team is pioneering new approaches in crop diversification and environmental sustainability. 

Let’s meet each member of VALERECO team:

1. The Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), is the third oldest university in Greece, and was established in 1920. It provides high-quality education and research in agricultural science, focusing on food safety and environmental protection. AUA has taken part in many research projects and is currently working on VALERECO through its Department of Crop Science and the Department of Natural Resources Development & Agricultural Engineering.
2. Established in 1899, Burgundy School of Business (BSB) is a global leader in teaching and research. It holds triple accreditation—AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA—placing it within the top 1% of business schools worldwide. BSB researchers conduct behavioral studies and participate in numerous national and EU-funded research projects.
3. Delphy specializes in research, data-driven crop management, consultancy, and training. It focuses on maximizing crop yields and expanding plant sector knowledge. The company aims to enhance global grower performance through practice-oriented research and global projects promoting innovation in agriculture and horticulture.
4. The University of Coimbra (UC) in Portugal is one of the oldest universities in the world, established in 1290. It focuses on education, research, and knowledge transfer to address societal challenges aligned with Horizon Europe priorities and the 2030 UN Agenda. UC’s Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE) conducts research on maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, with a focus on practical applications in sustainability and transforming agri-food systems.
5. Reframe.food (RFF) is a forward-looking organization committed to transforming the agrifood sector with cutting-edge innovation, advanced technology, and a strong focus on food sustainability. RFF has significant experience in leading communication and dissemination activities, developing exploitation strategies, and bringing innovative technologies to market. This experience will be valuable for leading and participating in various tasks and WPs within the project.
6. From 1938, the Institute of Field and Vegetable Crops in Novi Sad (IFVCNS) was focused on conducting research to develop cultivars and hybrids of various crops. The institute has been involved in numerous national and international projects, contributing to scientific knowledge and improving crop production globally.
7. Leibniz University of Hanover (LUH) is a top technology university in Germany. It covers a wide range of expertise including engineering, natural sciences, architecture, environmental planning, law, economics, social sciences, and humanities. LUH emphasizes working together across different areas of expertise to achieve outstanding research results on an international level.
8. Wageningen University and Research (WUR) is a highly ranked research institute that focuses on agriculture, food, environment, and related fields. WUR accomplishes advanced research on food, feed, and biobased production, natural resources and living environment, society and well-being. Its research significantly shapes policies, advances knowledge, and promotes sustainable development worldwide.
9. INTIA is a public company tied to the Department of Rural Development and Environment in Navarra, Spain. It advises farmers and the agri-food industry, aiming to promote innovation for sustainable and high-quality food production. The company has participated in EU-aligned research projects concentrated on shaping the future of the agri-food sector in Navarra.
10. AgriFood Lithuania (AfL) is a non-profit Digital Innovation Hub and Cluster in Lithuania. It collaborates with over 20 public and umbrella organizations, science, education, industry, and SME partners to facilitate digital-based technology solutions for agriculture and food industries. The main goal is to enhance digital transformations in agriculture, food, and associated sectors.
11. The University of Florence (UNIFI) traces its origins back to the Studium Generale established in 1321. Today, it is one of Italy’s largest research and higher education institutions, representing a productive public research system with significant involvement in nationally and EU-funded research projects. UNIFI is participating in the VALERECO project through its Department of Biology.
12. The University of Pisa, established in 1343, is a research institution with twenty departments covering various fields. It has participated in numerous European and national projects, focusing on creating a sustainable world, shaping adaptive communities, understanding the past, and conducting fundamental research. 
13. AgFutura Technologies, founded in 2016, offers innovative solutions in digital agriculture, marketing, and consulting for the agriculture and food industry. They combine extensive knowledge of agronomy and precision agriculture with econometrics, statistics, software engineering, and design.
14. Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, set up in 1987, is a public university institute working in the fields of applied sciences: Economics and Management, Law, Political Sciences, Agricultural Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, Medicine, and Industrial and Information Engineering. SSSA has participated in various research projects, addressing strategic issues such as sustainability and social inclusion, health, data science and artificial intelligence, aiming to lead the innovation that the world needs. 
15. Helvetas is an independent organization in Switzerland that supports disadvantaged communities in nearly 40 developing and transitional countries. Helvetas works on over 250 global projects and focuses on helping farmers, researchers, and policymakers share knowledge. As part of the VALERECO project, they will promote mutual learning between non-EU countries like Ukraine, Serbia, and Moldova.