RESILIENT AND SUSTAINABLE AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS IN A COMPETITIVE EUROPE
Green Minds Gather 2026 brings together researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and innovation actors to explore how Europe can build agrifood systems that are sustainable, resilient and competitive at the same time.
Across two days in Copenhagen, the conference will address the key tensions, trade-offs and opportunities shaping Europe’s agrifood transition.
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
From Innovation to Impact: What’s Holding Back Europe’s Agrifood Transformation?
Europe has a strong pipeline of agrifood innovation — but many solutions struggle to scale.
This session examines what is holding back implementation and how innovation can create system-wide impact.
Inspiring stories
Across Europe, researchers, companies and innovators are developing solutions that work in practice.
This session highlights examples of successful implementation, collaboration and scaling.
The future of resilient, sustainable and competitive European agrifood systems
The closing keynote reflects on the conference insights and the priorities shaping Europe’s agrifood future.
What needs to happen next to accelerate implementation and impact at scale?
Sustainability and competitiveness — can we have both?
How can Europe accelerate sustainability while remaining globally competitive and resilient?
This opening session explores the tensions, trade-offs and bottlenecks currently slowing down Europe’s agrifood transition.
How the EU plans to boost agrifood R&I and competitiveness
New EU frameworks aim to strengthen Europe’s agrifood innovation landscape.
This session examines how policy ambitions are translated into practical action across research, industry and value chains.
Managing water and climate pressures in agrifood systems
Climate change is reshaping the conditions for food production across Europe.
The session focuses on how agrifood systems can respond to increasing uncertainty, resource pressure and climate risks.
From regulatory barriers to enabling frameworks
How can regulation support innovation without compromising trust and sustainability?
This session explores how regulatory frameworks can accelerate the development and adoption of new solutions.
PRELIMINARY CONFERENCE PROGRAMME
Preliminary Programme | 28 October 2026
| 09.00-10.00 | 🥐☕ Registration and refreshments |
| 10.00-10.15 | Welcome to Green Minds Gather 2026 by START |
| 10.15-11.05 | Session with talks and moderated discussion: Sustainability and competitiveness – can we have both? Speakers:
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| 11.05-11.10 | Moderated transition and reflections |
| 11.10-12.00 | Session with talks and panel debate: How the EU plans to boost agrifood R&I and competitiveness Session with talks and panel debate: How the EU plans to boost agrifood R&I and competitiveness Speakers:
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| 12.00-14.00 | 🥗 Lunch with activities and facilitated networking |
| 14.00-16.00 | Parallel sessions |
| 16.00-17.00 | Session with talks and panel debate: Managing Water and Climate Pressures in Agrifood Systems Speakers:
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| 17.00-18.00 | Reception and transit to conference dinner |
| 18.30 - ? | 🍽️ Conference dinner |
Preliminary Programme | 29 October 2026
| 08.30-09.00 | 🥐☕ Arrival and refreshments |
| 09.00-09.05 | Welcome to day 2 by START |
| 09.05-10.00 | Session with talks and panel debate: From regulatory barriers to enabling frameworks Speakers:
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| 10.00-12.00 | Parallel sessions |
| 12.00-14.00 | 🥗 Lunch with activities and facilitated networking |
| 14.00-14.55 | Session with flash talks and debate: From Innovation to Impact: What’s Holding Back Europe’s Agrifood Transformation? Speakers:
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| 14.55-15.20 | Session with Fireside talk: Inspiring stories |
| 15.20-15.45 | Final keynote: The future of resilient, sustainable and competitive European agrifood systems |
| 15.45-16.00 | Final thoughts by START |
| 16.00-17.00 | Closing reception |
