Appetite for innovation
The EU-funded project FEED-TO-FOOD (Reinforcement of FEED-TO-FOOD research centre at the institute for food technology of the university of Novi Sad) addressed this funding challenge. They supported research potential at the ‘Centre for Feed and Animal Products’, a unique institution specialising in feed technology in southeast Europe and beyond. The goal was to develop a modern research centre with new staff and pilot plant equipment and the capability of investigating feed manufacturing technology. A network for cooperation between research teams interested in the feed to food production chain was created and knowledge gaps filled regarding how to take part in complex and long-term EU research projects. The initiative promoted closer cooperation in science and technology between the EU and UNS by targeting identified needs in human and material capacity, scientific networking, and exchange of know-how and experience. They increased cooperation with European scientific institutions to give UNS scientists experience in taking part in EU research. In addition, leading EU research institutes accepted the UNS as a participant in FP7 projects. Support for the FEED-TO-FOOD centre included the purchase of pilot plant equipment for activities such as milling, mixing, drying-cooling and vacuum coating. A new research pilot plant laboratory was also opened, providing training and research opportunities to scientists, researchers and students in the feed and food industry. The centre has also been able to employ four researchers, one technician and one experienced researcher, which has significantly strengthened the centre’s research potential. The project partners are highly proactive and active members of the European Commission's food cluster initiative. FEED-TO-FOOD can be seen as a success as it has enabled project partners to reinforce their own research capabilities and helped to integrate Serbia into the European research area. This will promote closer science and technology cooperation opportunities between the EU and the Western Balkans.
Keywords
University of Novi Sad, Serbia, feed technology, FEED-TO-FOOD, food cluster