Benaki Phytopathological Institute (Greece) – Lead Partner
Established in 1929, Benaki Phytopathological Institute was the first Greek research institute to have a broad scientific basis in plant health and plant protection. Since then, the Institute has earned itself a reputation as a guardian of quality, safety and sustainable development in agriculture. Those of us working here today are mindful of this legacy and remain committed to the highest standards of respect for the environment and human health, thereby supporting the wider economy and civil society of Greece. Alongside our many other roles and tasks, we at BPI specialize in risk assessment and advice on the safe usage of agricultural chemicals with regards to the protection of human health and that of the environment more generally. The Institute also performs analytical work and mandated checks to ensure the safety of foodstuffs and other agricultural products. Due to the wealth of general and specialized knowledge retained by our scientific staff, our modern infrastructure and range of professional connections, BPI is uniquely well-positioned to offer a range of services to partners from both state and private sectors; national, international and multi-national. Benaki Phytopathological Institute is a Legal Entity of the Public Sector, donated by the National Benefactor Emmanouel Benakis. It operates under the supervision of the Hellenic Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
Institute For Mediterranean Studies (Greece)
Institute for Mediterranean Studies (IMS) was founded in 1985 (by Presidential Decree 7/21/1/85) and began to operate in its current organisation form in 1986. It is one of the five Institutes, which with Crete University Press, go to make up the Research Centre of Crete (RCC). It is among the scientific research units of the Foundation for Research and Technology (FORTH), which is one of the two largest research foundations in Greece. Since 1996, the Laboratory of Geophysical – Satellite Remote Sensing & Archaeo-environment of the Institute for Mediterranean Studies (I.M.S.) / Foundation of Research & Technology (F.O.R.T.H.) has provided valuable services in the areas of geophysical prospection, satellite remote sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and archaeo-environment and has been widely recognized due to the quality of the services provided, the results of the research projects carried out and the training of students and professional archaeologists. The Laboratory is member of EPOCH (European Network of Excellence in Open Cultural Heritage), of AGILE (Association of Geographic Information Laboratories of Europe) and of EARSEL (European Association of Remote Sensing Laboratories). Services and collaborations of the Laboratory have been expanded including a large number of research and university foundations from Greece, Australia, Belgium, France, Italy, USA, China, Cyprus, China, Sweden, Island, Lithuania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Germany, Spain, a.o. Since 1996, more than 100 research projects have been carried out. The Lab is conducting innovative research related to Environmental and Cultural Geographic Information Systems and Web-GIS applications and has developed a number of internet accessible applications, with sofisticated WEB_GIS modules and databases.
American Farm School Post Secondary Educational and Training Association (Greece)
Founded over a century ago, the American Farm School (AFS) serves students at the primary, secondary, post-secondary and adult levels. AFS provides formal agricultural education as well as technical and professional training. The mission of the institution is to educate youth and adults to become professionally accomplished in the latest aspects of agriculture, ecology and the life sciences, and to make Greece and its neighbors a better place. The American Farm School nurtures the minds that feed the world. It is the premier institution in southeastern Europe for education and research in agriculture, food systems, environmental studies and other life sciences related to our sustainable future. Founded in 1904 by enlightened American educators, the School continues to apply its hallmark “learn by doing” approach to educate students of all ages. Divisions include the Elementary School of Environmental Education, High School, and Perrotis College of Agriculture, Environment and Life Sciences. The School’s campus farm—producing premium milk, yogurt, Omega-3 eggs, turkeys, wine and more—serves as a living laboratory for hands-on education and applied research. The School’s extensive scholarship program provides promising young men and women with an unparalleled education that leads to productive careers and sustainable communities.
Open University of Cyprus (Cyprus)
The Open University of Cyprus is the second (in order of establishment) State university of Cyprus and the country’s only Higher Education Institution dedicated solely to distance education. The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate (at the Master and doctoral levels) programmes, as well as vocational/training programmes of short duration. The awarded degrees are equivalent to all accredited universities worldwide, regardless of the educational methodology used – conventional or not. The University’s academic programmes are allocated with ECTS credit units, which facilitate comparability of study programmes and the integration of students at the receiving institution, whether at the OUC or any other university in Europe. The mission of the Open University of Cyprus is to provide high quality academic programmes, to promote scientific research and to effectively utilise educational technology, methodology and teaching method in open and distance learning. Further, OUC aspires to distinguish its position in the Cypriot and broader European educational communities as an innovative university delivering with teaching to students who are not physically present in a traditional educational setting, such as a classroom, via a state of the art technological infrastructure and educational methodology.
Association of Agri-Environmental Farmers (Bulgaria)
The Open The Association of Agri-Environmental Farmers (AAEF) is a non-profit legal entity, registered in February 2014. The founders of the Association are farmers – individuals and legal entities, carrying out agri-environmental activities. The main activities of the Association are: protection of the rights and interests of agri-environmental farmers; support and inform agri-environmental farmers in compliance with the requirements for the application of agro-environmental activities and the accompanying agricultural practices; promotion of agri-environmental activities related to environmental protection; raising awareness to farmers for the benefits of agri-environment. support of the state structures, through the participation of the Association in working groups, committees, expert councils, etc., in the preparation of legislative initiatives related to agro-environmental activities. supporting state structures in the development and implementation of agri-environmental activities, built on the experience of its members, gained in practice;
Agricultural University of Tirana (Albania)
Agricultural University of Tirana (AUT) is the first University Center in Albania and the unique center of Higher Agricultural Education. It was founded in November 1, 1951, under the name of “State Higher Agricultural Institute” and in 1991 was nominated ”Agricultural University of Tirana”. AUT is affirmed as a very powerful higher education institution, a unique center of post graduate qualification and specialization in agriculture. AUT has established several cooperation agreements with a lot of Universities in Balkan, Europe & USA. The University has the longest experience in the area of public higher education (65 years).Is a unique University judging from the study programs that it offers. AUT is a leader in the field of agricultural research, livestock, agro-environment, food, economics & management, forestry, veterinary etc with a long cooperation with lead institutions in the country and abroad.It is a University with high standards in education and research and with highly qualified and very friendly staff
Macedonian Organic Producers Federation (North Macedonia)
Macedonian Organic Producers Federation (MOPF) is an umbrella organization formed by the Regional Organic Producers Associations. MOPF is not a donor created, nor a government initiated or funded organization. Since 2008 MOPF effectively represents the organic producers and organic movement participant’s interests to policymakers, the media, and the public. MOPF is active on local, national and international level. On local level the biggest part of the activities are implemented by the regional associations (training, consultancy service, workshops etc.). Despite their regional character this activities are frequently organized as MOPF events and members from different associations and regions are visiting or conducting organized trainings, consultations and experience exchange. As recognized and respected organization on national level, MOPF effectively represents the organic producers and organic movement participant’s interests to policymakers, the media, and the public, serves as the unified voice for the organic producers and supports editing and printing of a educational and promotion materials, web based tools for organic agriculture. MOPF supports and participates in development and implementation of different national events and projects and developed an E-mail support service for providing answers regarding all areas of organic farming and organic marketing to interested parties. Moreover MOPF representatives are participating in different commission and work groups formed by the competent authorities which are working on organic production polices and legislation or connected with issues relevant for the organic movement. MOPF is recognized by Ministry for Agriculture as a national umbrella organization and a NGO which is an important stakeholder in the development of the organic production.
