Section ECONOMY
TOPIC

ΣΕΒΤ
HELLENIC TECHNOLOGICAL PLATFORM "FOOD FOR LIFE"

Research & Innovation leverage the entrepreneurship growth, exports and employment and enableFood Industry to meet consumer needsand trends.SEVT undertakes initiatives for the mobilization of a critical mass of food sector stakeholders and the utilization of knowledge, for the benefit of the businesses, the citizens and the competitiveness of the greekeconomy.

SEVT, as a member of FOODDRINKEUROPE (Confederation of Food & Beverage Industries of the EU), established in May 2009, the Greek Technology Platform "Food For Life" within the respective European. The Greek Technology Platform ''Food For Life'' acts as a "mirror" in the respective European, ensuring communication, dialogue and cooperation, in a common forum, of the Food Industry, the research community and other stakeholders from the food sector. Its main aim is to develop a National Research and Innovation Strategy, composed of a targeted actions that will holistically address the food sector challenges for the benefit of the society.

The operation of the Greek Technological Platform contributes to the achievement of the following objectives:

- To create the vision of the Food Sector for research, development and innovation.

- To develop a strategy for research and innovation.

- To define national research priorities.

- To activate existing mechanisms (and / or development of new ones) for the dissemination of scientific knowledge.
  • SMEs and food companies
  • Research Centers & Universities
  • Food Authorities
  • Policy makers

The action of the Platform started in May 2009 and is on-going until today.

Hellenic TP brings together the main partners of the food sector and it aims at developing a National Research and Innovation Strategy, composed of a targeted actions that will holistically address the food sector challenges for the benefit of the society.

The action plan of the Greek TP is composed by 4 pillars:

1. Formulation of food sector research priorities

2. Improvement of the Hellenic Research & Innovation system

3. Promotion of innovation - ECOTROPHELIA competition

4. Development of networking actions - Strategic Partnerships

 

The Structure of Greek TP consists of the following bodies:

  • The Leadership Council (LC), whichisa decision making body and it formulates the policy of the Platform. A representative from the General Secretariat for Research & Innovation of the Ministry of Development & Investments participates in LC.
  • The Scientific Council, which makes recommendations to the LC on scientific - research issues (setting up working groups, setting research priorities, etc.),
  • The Working Groups consisting of representatives of the Food Industry and the Academic / Research Community and cover the following thematic areas:
    • Nutrition, Health, Consumers
    • Food Safety
    • Sustainable Production
    • Industry 4,0
  • The Secretariat which is supported by SEVT
  • Food Industries
  • Research Centers and Universities
  • Food Authorities
  • Policy makers

Voluntary participation of the representatives of the Food Industry and the Research Centers & Universities in the bodies of the Greek TP

Greek TP activities are carried out in Greece but there are strong connections and active participation in the European Technology Platform ‘Food for Life’, based in Brussels and the other National TPs through the Network of National Technology Platforms ‘Food for Life’ as well.
  • Food Sector Research priorities for the programming periods 2014-2020 & 2021-2027
  • Memorandum with the disincentives that faces the R&D system in Greece and suggestions to strengthen it.
  • Organization of the ECOTROPHELIA Competition since 2011
  • 5 Brokerage Events in 3 different cities for bringing together researchers from various universities and research institutes in Greece with representatives of the Food Industry in order to exchange views on the promotion of research and innovation and to discuss cooperation between them.
  • Strengthening SEVT actions for the promotion of innovation.
  • Better connection of the Food Industry with the Academic / Research Community.
  • Support of young Greek students, who are engaged in food science, through the organization of the National Competition ECOTROPHELIA which highlights their potential and creative spirit and at the same time promotes Greek entrepreneurship, through the development and utilization of innovative food products.