The National Agrifood Cluster CL.A.N. is one of the National Technology Clusters promoted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research. It is a multi-stakeholder association bringing together companies, universities, research organisations, associations, and territorial representatives active in the agrifood sector. The Cluster serves as a national platform for dialogue and coordination between research and industry, with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness of the Italian agrifood system through innovation and technological development.
CL.A.N.’s mission is to promote and support industrial research, innovation, and technology transfer, while fostering collaboration between public and private actors and contributing to the definition of national and European strategic priorities in the agrifood sector. Its main activities include supporting policy makers, promoting research and innovation projects, fostering internationalisation, facilitating networking among stakeholders, disseminating funding opportunities, and developing training initiatives and skills enhancement actions.
The National Research Council of Italy (CNR) participates in the Cluster as a member, contributing to its scientific and strategic activities. Membership in CL.A.N. provides access to a national and European innovation ecosystem, enabling: participation in working groups, partnerships, and joint projects; dialogue with the industrial sector; and involvement in shaping research and innovation policies in the agrifood domain.
Department of Biology, Agriculture and Food Science (DISBA) acts as the institutional focal point for CNR within the Cluster, coordinating and enhancing the organisation’s participation in CL.A.N. activities and opportunities, in line with the Department’s strategic priorities.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is an agency of the European Union tasked with providing independent, high-level scientific advice on risks associated with the food chain, in support of European policies on food safety and the protection of human, animal, and environmental health. EFSA plays a central role in scientific risk assessment, data collection and analysis, and in the transparent communication of scientific evidence to policy makers and citizens.
Within its mandate, EFSA relies on a network of scientific organisations from Member States, including bodies designated under Article 36 of its founding regulation (Regulation (EC) No 178/2002). These organisations, selected for their scientific expertise and independence, support the Authority in carrying out its activities through technical and scientific contributions, opinions, participation in projects, and data collection.
The National Research Council of Italy (CNR) participates in this network as a competent organisation under Article 36, appointing experts within its structure in EFSA’s areas of competence and actively contributing to activities supporting the Authority.
Inclusion in the list of Article 36 organisations provides access to important opportunities, including participation in EFSA-funded scientific projects, involvement in European expert networks, exchange of data and knowledge, and the strengthening of international cooperation. This participation also enhances CNR’s positioning within the scientific processes supporting European policies and contributes to the development of capacities and expertise in the field of food risk assessment.
The European Plant Science Organisation (EPSO) is an international scientific association that brings together research institutions, universities, and departments active in the field of plant sciences, representing over 200 organisations across more than 30 European and non-European countries. EPSO serves as a key European reference point for research coordination and for fostering dialogue between the scientific community and policy makers in the field of plant sciences.
EPSO’s mission is to strengthen the impact and visibility of plant sciences in Europe by promoting both basic and applied research and contributing to the definition of European strategic priorities. In particular, the organisation supports science policy dialogue, coordinates scientific activities at national and European levels, fosters the development of joint research programmes, and promotes the dissemination of knowledge in plant biology, also in relation to major global challenges such as food security, climate change, and sustainability.
The National Research Council of Italy (CNR) participates in EPSO as an institutional member, contributing to the European plant science network and to the organisation’s scientific and strategic activities. Through this participation, CNR is involved in working groups, coordination initiatives, and scientific advisory activities supporting European policies in the sector.
Membership in EPSO provides access to a highly qualified European network of institutions and researchers, fostering the development of scientific collaborations, participation in international projects, and involvement in shaping strategic research agendas in plant sciences. This participation strengthens CNR’s positioning at the European level and contributes to enhancing national expertise in the field of plant sciences.
The European Food Forum is an independent platform promoted by Members of the European Parliament to foster political and strategic dialogue on the sustainable transformation of food systems. The Forum brings together European institutions, policymakers, research organisations, universities, agri-food stakeholders, and civil society, creating a space for discussion on the main challenges and opportunities related to the future of food in Europe.
The mission of the European Food Forum is to promote open, science-based dialogue on European agri-food policies, encouraging interaction among research institutions, policymakers, and the productive sector on topics such as sustainability, food security, innovation, health, and ecological transition. Through meetings and networking activities, the Forum contributes to strengthening collaboration among the various stakeholders of the European agri-food system.
The National Research Council of Italy participates in the activities of the European Food Forum, contributing to the European dialogue on research and innovation for sustainable agri-food systems. This participation allows us to strengthen the involvement in European food-related networks, fostering opportunities for scientific collaboration, institutional dialogue, and the promotion of national expertise in the fields of agri-food research and bioeconomy.
https://www.europeanfoodforum.eu
https://www.cnr.it/it/organismo-scientifico-internazionale/61/eff-european-food-forum
The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organization established by the European states. The organization has approximately 130 associated member bodies, including the National Research Council (CNR), and affiliates in 40 countries.
Its headquarters are located in Joensuu, Finland, with additional offices in Barcelona, Bonn, Brussels, and Rome, as well as a project office in Malaysia. EFI conducts research and provides policy support related to forestry.
It also facilitates and promotes collaborative networks in the forestry sector, supporting the dissemination of impartial and relevant information for forestry policies and forest management.
The organization also promotes forestry research and the use of science-based information as a basis for forestry policies. Policy support activities include advanced support for decision-makers and policymakers. DISBA actively participates in EFI activities, consistent with the strategic priorities of the Department and its institutes most dedicated to forestry research, with the Director currently serving on the Scientific Advisory Board.