ena Development Consultants participated in the RUNFASTER4EU General Assembly, held in Caserta, Italy, bringing together project partners to review the progress achieved during the first year of implementation and coordinate the next steps towards developing sustainable bio-based value chains across Europe.
The first day of the meeting focused on the consortium's technical and strategic activities. Partners presented the progress of their respective Work Packages, discussed key achievements and upcoming milestones, and aligned on the activities planned for the next phase of the project.
Beyond the technical discussions, the General Assembly highlighted the importance of close collaboration between research organisations, industry, agricultural stakeholders and communication partners in driving the project's objectives forward.
From project meetings to field visits
The second day offered partners the opportunity to experience the project's activities beyond the meeting room.
Hosted by Coldiretti Caserta, consortium members visited the RUNFASTER4EU safflower replication field sites, where ongoing field activities under Work Package 2 – Feedstock: Oil Crops and Field Products were presented. The visit provided valuable insights into the cultivation of low ILUC-risk oil crops and demonstrated how field implementation contributes to building sustainable feedstock value chains for Europe's bioeconomy.
The field visit also encouraged discussions among researchers, farmers and industrial partners, reinforcing the importance of knowledge exchange throughout the project.
Visiting Novamont's R&D Centre
The consortium also visited Novamont's Research & Development Centre in Piana di Monte Verna, where partners explored the company's research facilities and gained first-hand insight into innovative technologies for biomass valorisation and the development of bio-based products.
The visit illustrated how scientific research, industrial expertise and technological innovation are combined to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable and circular bioeconomy.
ena's role in RUNFASTER4EU
As leader of Work Package 8 – Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation, ena Development Consultants continues to coordinate the project's communication activities, ensuring that RUNFASTER4EU's progress, achievements and results reach stakeholders across research, industry, agriculture and policy.
Participating in the General Assembly provided another valuable opportunity to strengthen collaboration with project partners and support the effective dissemination and future exploitation of the project's outcomes.
The meeting once again demonstrated that achieving Europe's circular bioeconomy ambitions requires strong collaboration, continuous knowledge exchange and close links between research, agriculture and industry.