FoSSNet at the Green Minds Gather 2025 – START Conference

The FoSSNet project actively contributed to the Green Minds Gather Annual START Conference, held on 29–30 April 2025 at the START Centre for Sustainable Agri-Food Systems in Denmark. Bringing together more than 370 stakeholders from research, industry, and policymaking, the conference served as a collaborative space to tackle pressing challenges in Europe’s agri-food sector. FoSSNet joined forces with fellow Horizon Europe projects CLEVERFOOD and FOSTER to deliver two insightful sessions focused on education, knowledge flows, and system transformation.

Exploring Food Systems in Higher Education

On 29 April, in collaboration with CLEVERFOOD, FoSSNet co-led a track titled “Integrating a Food System Approach in Higher Education Teaching”. The session delved into how food systems approaches can be better embedded in academic curricula and how early-career professionals can be supported as agents of change. Amongst others, the discussions pointed to a need for structural changes that can better support collaboration across institutions, countries, and educational levels. A particular challenge raised was the need to better engage and support food systems alumni, calling for international and cross-programme collaboration in establishing alumni networks.

This session was facilitated by Eduardo Urias (VU/Athena Institute) and Stine Rosenlund Hansen (Roskilde University), drawing from the experiences of both FoSSNet and CLEVERFOOD.

Accelerating Knowledge and Learning Flows in Agri-Food Systems

On 30 April, FoSSNet also contributed to the track “Learning and Knowledge Flows”, organised jointly with the FOSTER project by Floor Geerling-Eiff and Kelly Rijswijk (Wageningen University & Research). The session explored the role of Agri-Food Knowledge and Innovation Systems and introduced concepts such as Single-, Double-, and Triple-Loop Learning to foster transdisciplinary collaboration. Drawing from both projects, FoSSNet presented its vision for a long-lasting, pan-European network for Food Systems Science, aiming to support open and inclusive science and education.

Participants engaged in interactive workshops, discussing what actors, connections, and initiatives are needed to accelerate learning and innovation for sustainable agri-food transformation.

FoSSNet’s Ongoing Commitment

Through its participation in these sessions, FoSSNet reaffirmed its mission to build stronger linkages between research, education, and practice in food systems science. Its contributions helped spotlight the importance of fostering collaborative environments for knowledge sharing, lifelong learning, and systemic innovation, crucial pillars in transforming Europe’s food systems.

More information on the conference can be found here: Green Minds Gather 2025 – START conference | START conference: Green Minds Gather