FOCUS STC was recently invited to share its expertise in the AQUAGRI-KNOW interview series, an initiative dedicated to enhancing knowledge-sharing in sustainable water and resource management across Europe. Representing the company, co-owner Ephy Kouzi—who drives BBioNets’ wider collaborative strategy and spearheaded the creation of the Standing Liaison Round Table (SLRT)—gave an in-depth interview on the growing impact of collaborative networks in the bioeconomy.
The discussion centred on the SLRT, a strategic platform established within the BBioNets project to bring together diverse EU-funded initiatives. Ephy introduced the community as a dynamic European network where researchers, practitioners, farmers, and policymakers work together to drive innovation and sustainable resource management.
Human-Centric Innovation
During the interview, the SLRT coordinator emphasised that while technology is a vital tool, the “human element” is the ultimate catalyst for progress. She highlighted three core functions of the SLRT ecosystem that are essential for long-term success:
Amplifying Impact Beyond Individual Projects
The central theme of the session was the SLRT’s mission to amplify the impact of individual initiatives. By acting as a strategic bridge, the SLRT ensures that work done within participating projects contributes to a broader, long-term European strategy rather than existing in a vacuum. By fostering “cross-fertilisation”—where ideas from one project spark breakthroughs in another—this unified approach becomes essential for the transition toward sustainable agri-food systems. Through its active role in the BBioNets project and the leadership of the SLRT, FOCUS STC continues to drive the collaborative innovation necessary for the future of the bioeconomy.
