University of Primorska Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies
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LETSGROW – Bridging Academia and Industry for Sustainable Agri-Food Solutions

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Project presentation

Title: Bridging Academia and Industry for Sustainable Agri-Food Solutions

Program Code: LESTGROW

Leading institution: Universidade Catolica Portuguesa (Portugalska)

Partner institutions: 

  • Associacao de Municipios para a Gestao Sustentavel de Residuos do Grande Porto (LIPOR)
  • Sofia University St Kliment Ohridski (SU)
  • Vytauto Didziojo Universitetas (VMU)
  • UAB Nando (NANDO)
  • Uniwersytet Slaski w Katowicach (USiL)
  • Universitat des Saarlandes (USAAR)
  • Universidad de Alicante (UA)
  • Centro Tecnológico Nacional de la Conserva (CTNC)
  • Fundación Parque Científico de Alicante de la Comunitat Valenciana (PCA)
  • Univerza na Primorskem (UP)

Principal investigator: João Cortez, PhD

Funding organization: European Commission, Horizon Europe Programme

Duration: 1. 6. 2025 - 31. 5. 2029

Description:

The agri-food sector is facing urgent global challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainability. To address these issues, it must adopt a strategy grounded in knowledge, cutting-edge research, and innovation for a sustainable food system. Promoting compatible careers in research and innovation that connect the academic and non-academic (NA) sectors is essential for developing new solutions. LETSGROW is built on three pillars: training, talent mobility, and policy development to support these efforts. Its objectives include fostering cross-sector collaboration and ensuring the exchange of knowledge and resources, resulting in mutual benefits. This reciprocal approach can create a fertile environment for research and innovation talent.

Training focuses on equipping talent with evolving competencies from both sectors. LETSGROW addresses current gaps by building talent skills and institutional capacities to support their careers and offers a package of 37 training activities. Mobility plays a key role in preparing talent to work across sectors. LETSGROW offers high-quality talent selection, a mentoring system, a reintegration plan for maximum impact, and mobility paired with training. Cross-sectoral exchanges will allow NA talents to gain practical, industry-related experience while also gaining insights into academic research. The mobilities are designed so that talents acquire key competencies while participating entities establish and promote future collaborations.

Evidence- and needs-based policy is essential to enable positive change. Experience from training and mobility activities will contribute to shaping policy recommendations that enhance career interoperability and employability of talents. The combined impact of targeted training, cross-sectoral mobility, and development of supportive policies within the LETSGROW project will boost the competitiveness of both the talents and the consortium, which includes 11 partners (7 from 5 widening countries), including 4 non-academic entities.