The Techno-Scientific Mediators (TSM) of the 11 Training and Dissemination Units (TDUs) established at SPES (Spread European Safety) GEIE Food & Drink National Federations implemented successfully a number of technology transfer activities to SMEs involved in the production of traditional food. The actions targeting SMEs started in phase II and continued until the end of the project. They took place in 15 countries to ensure a large dissemination and exploitation of results in France, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Turkey, Germany, Poland, Slovenia and Great Britain. From November 2007 until the end of the project (April 2010) about 23.500 SMEs were directly involved in the training and dissemination activities. In particular, 233 training events (i.e., workshops, seminars and courses) targeting 6.226 participants from the traditional food sector and covering diverse areas in 15 countries were implemented in strong cooperation with the research partners and centers of excellence of the project. The training activities focused on a wide range of topics (i.e., project research results, new knowledge generated on food innovation, legislation at EC and national level, health and nutritional claims, etc.) and ensured that SMEs’ specific needs were addressed. The majority of training events were evaluated through an anonymous questionnaire. The analysis of the questionnaires revealed that overall the participants rated the seminars very positively and indicated that their expectations were highly fulfilled.

Training events organized during phase II (November 2007 – April 2008)

Training events organized during phase III (May 2008 – April 2009)

Training events organized during phase IV (May 2009 – April 2010)

For any additional information regarding the training events in the forthcoming months please contact:
Daniele Rossi – Project Coordinator (SPES GEIE Administrator) direzione@federalimentare.it
Cecilia Chiapero – Senior Training and Dissemination Manager (Agriconsulting S.p.A. Italy) training@truefood.eu