FOCUS STC at the BBioNets 3rd Plenary in Thessaloniki
On 3–4 April 2025, the BBioNets consortium came together for its third Plenary Meeting, held just outside Thessaloniki, Greece. As one of the local partners, FOCUS STC was especially pleased to welcome the wider team to our home city and to take part in this engaging and productive two-day event. Hosted by the American Farm School (AFS), the meeting brought together project partners from across Europe to review progress, share insights, and plan the way forward.
Set in a peaceful, nature-rich environment, the AFS campus provided an inspiring venue for open exchange and reflection — despite the occasional surprise from the spring weather! The mix of sunshine and showers only added a touch of charm to what was already a dynamic and motivating experience.
Figure 1: Photos taken during the consortium’s field visit at AFS’ campus.
Over the course of the meeting, each team shared key updates, including exciting developments on the Bio-Based Technologies (BBTs) Roadmaps and the integration of those into the BBT Assessment Tool — a central part of the BBioNets effort to support the transition to more sustainable agricultural practices. FOCUS STC, responsible for facilitating collaboration between BBioNets and other EU projects, was proud to share progress on inter-project synergies and upcoming joint actions. A particular highlight was the introduction of the forthcoming European Cross-Fertilisation Workshop to Boost EIP-AGRI Operational Groups, an initiative instigated and co-organised by FOCUS STC. Taking place in May 2025, the workshop will bring together five EU-funded Thematic Networks to explore key enablers, barriers, and practical tools for establishing Operational Groups across Europe.
Looking ahead, the plenary also provided an excellent opportunity to align on upcoming priorities and coordinate next steps for the project. The open and collaborative atmosphere reinforced the strong partnership that underpins BBioNets, and FOCUS STC is excited to continue contributing to this important work.
Figure 2: FOCUS STC team presenting the progress of their work in BBioNets.
Of course, no meeting is complete without a social element. A special thanks goes to our hosts for organising a wonderful evening that brought everyone together in a more informal setting — strengthening the connections that make collaboration so effective.
Looking Ahead
FOCUS STC is proud to play an active role in BBioNets and its growing network of like-minded initiatives. We left the plenary energised and inspired, and look forward to the next chapter of BBioNets with great anticipation.
Stay Connected with BBioNets!
To stay updated on the latest project developments, upcoming events, and more, we invite you to visit the https://bbionets.eu/ and follow us on social media. Join the conversation, and be part of the exciting work we’re doing to shape the future of sustainable agriculture across Europe!
