EUFAWREADY project kicks-off in Montpellier, France

Horizon Europe-funded project EUFAWREADY just held its first project meeting in Montpellier, France, on 17-18 June. The project seeks to enhance the readiness of European agricultural stakeholders, such as farmers, advisors, technicians, industry professionals, and plant health authorities, for potential outbreaks of the polyphagous fall armyworm (FAW). It will provide tools for early detection and effective management of FAW within the EU, aiming to minimise its economic, environmental, and social impacts, while limiting the expected increase in synthetic pesticide use across European agroecosystems.

The two-day event brought together 25 project partners across a variety of sectors, including academia, the private sector, social sciences, and plant health services. 

Led by project coordinator Anne-Nathalie Volkoff (INRAE), the event featured sessions from European Commission (EC) representatives on the EC’s expectations, as well as the administrative rules and policy context of the project. 

Partners discussed Communication, Dissemination, and Exploitation in a session led by Pensoft Publishers, followed by brief presentations from all Work Packages. Sessions also covered stakeholder engagement and the IPM Toolbox development for effective FAW management. Workshops were conducted in order to get partners to get to know each other across WPs and plan their activities for the first six months of the project. As collaboration is a fundamental pillar of a successful project, some time was also set aside for ice-breaking activities where partners could mingle and learn more about each other. 

The meeting was a great opportunity for the consortium to establish a good working relationship, laying the foundation for years of collaboration to come. 

Just one month after its kick-off meeting, EUFAWREADY is already inviting you to get involved!
The project’s first survey has officially been launched and we need your input. The survey is designed to collect stakeholders’ current level of awareness, needs, expectations and potential involvement. Your feedback will help the partners tailor tools and information to real needs, build stronger collaboration and work towards practical solutions. The survey is currently only available in English but translations will be launched at a later date.

Stay up to date with EUFAWREADY by following the project on LinkedIn, Bluesky, and YouTube.