Resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in a competitive Europe
We need collaborative solutions for interconnected challenges in agrifood systems. Neither citizens, farmers, industry, policymakers nor research, innovation and technology can independently solve the many interconnected challenges. The need to create closer collaboration across key stakeholders in the agrifood sector to speed up the green transition is urgent. Without dialogue, knowledge-sharing and understanding between the key stakeholders in the green transition, the transition risks stalling; a development we can no longer afford.
The START Green Minds Gather Conference call is clear: Come together to untangle the knot of interconnected challenges and dilemmas in European agrifood systems.
Green Minds Gather is not your traditional academic conference. It deliberately goes beyond the usual suspects to bring new voices, perspectives, and solutions into the conversation. With its cross-sector platform, it is designed to connect stakeholders and foster dialogue and collaboration across the agrifood ecosystem.
This year, Green Minds Gather Conference joins together to continue reflecting on not only the what ifs, but the how tos, focusing on resilient and sustainable agrifood systems in a competitive Europe.
Join us as we connect research, policy, and industry around the green transition at a two-day conference in Copenhagen. Together, we explore the next steps in greening agrifood systems.
Programme | 28 October 2026
| 09.00-10.00 | 🥐 Registration and refreshments |
| 10.00-10.15 | Welcome to Green Minds Gather 2026 by START |
| 10.15-10.50 | Keynote: Sustainability vs. competitiveness – can we have both? |
| 10.50-12.00 | 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 | Thematic tracks (parallel sessions) |
| 16.00-17.00 | Session with talks and panel debate: Water-climate-food nexus |
| 17.00-18.00 | Reception and transit to conference dinner |
| 18.00 | 🍽️ Conference dinner |
Programme | 29 October 2026
| 08.45-09.15 | ☕ Arrival and refreshments |
| 09.15-09.20 | Welcome to day 2 by START |
| 09.20-10.00 | Session with talks and panel debate: From regulatory barriers to enabling frameworks |
| 10.00-12.00 | Thematic tracks (parallel sessions) |
| 12.00-14.00 | 🥗 Lunch with activities and facilitated networking |
| 14.00-14.30 | Pitch session: University spinouts transforming agrifood systems |
| 14.30-15.20 | Fireside chat: Inspiring stories |
| 15.20-15.45 | Final keynote: The future of resilient, sustainable and competitive European agrifood systems |
| 15.45-16.00 | Final thoughts |
| 16.00-17.00 | Closing reception |
A curated selection of the high‑impact keynotes and debates driving Europe’s transition toward resilient and competitive agrifood systems.
What will make Europe’s agrifood systems resilient, sustainable and competitive - and who needs to take action together to turn ambition into real change?
Europe’s agrifood systems are at a turning point. Sustainability, competitiveness and resilience are no longer separate goals, but elements that need to work together to accelerate the green transition. Our two keynotes open and close the conference by asking the essential questions: How can Europe turn sustainability into real competitive strength? What will it take, across sectors, to shape resilient systems over the next 5–10 years?
Together, the keynotes frame both the urgency and the opportunity of this moment, calling for the cross‑sector collaboration, innovation and public‑value thinking needed to turn ambition into action.
How can Europe unite research, resilience and regulation to move agrifood systems forward?
Our panel debates and talks dig into the dilemmas shaping Europe’s agrifood future. Together, they explore how sustainability can become a driver of competitiveness, how climate change and water resources shape the resilience of food systems, and how regulation can move from barrier to enabler. By bringing research, policy and practice around the same table, these sessions confront the hard questions, and the pathways, that define the next steps in Europe’s green transition.
Thematic tracks that dive into how research, innovation and cross‑sector collaboration can drive practical solutions across the agrifood ecosystem.
Knowledge can shape attitudes. Attitudes can change behaviour. And behaviour is what unlocks transformation.
The thematic tracks at Green Minds Gather are dedicated spaces where research, innovation and practice meet to explore solutions to Europe’s interconnected agrifood challenges.
More information is coming. Check back soon to learn more.
