The COLiBRI project has been invited to contribute to the upcoming EU Agri 2040 Conference, organised by the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI) on 24th and 25th of September 2026. This invitation provides an important opportunity for the project to engage with ongoing discussions on the future of European agriculture and the role of plant breeding research and innovation in addressing emerging challenges.
COLiBRI coordinator Ralf Wilhelm will represent the project during the conference's first round of parallel sessions, called "Identifying needs and shaping up a thriving EU research and innovation ecosystem" within the theme of Cropping systems.
The EU Agri 2040 Conference brings together policymakers, researchers, innovators, farmers, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to explore how Europe's agricultural sector can remain resilient, competitive, and sustainable in the decades ahead. The event aims to support discussions on future policy directions and identify priorities for research and innovation that can help address long-term societal, environmental, and economic challenges.
The invitation to present COLiBRI reflects the project's strong alignment with these objectives. COLiBRI was established to strengthen collaboration across the European crop breeding research and innovation community and to develop a shared vision for the future of plant breeding research and innovation in Europe. By bringing together researchers, breeders, policymakers, and other relevant stakeholders, the project aims to improve coordination, foster knowledge exchange, and support the development of a European Plant Breeding Research and Innovation Roadmap and Implementation Plan.
During the Cropping Systems session, COLiBRI will share its approach to building a stronger and more connected European crop breeding ecosystem. The presentation will highlight how the project contributes to identifying future needs, fosters stakeholder engagement, and facilitates effective collaboration across the plant breeding research and innovation landscape.
The conference comes at an important stage in the project. Following recent activities, including the European R&I roadmap kick-off workshop, COLiBRI will be gathering input from a wide range of stakeholders to better understand how plant breeding research and innovation can contribute to Europe's future ambitions. Discussions at the EU Agri 2040 Conference will provide an additional opportunity to raise awareness about COLiBRI’s activities and exchange perspectives with actors from across the agricultural innovation ecosystem to ensure that the project's work remains closely connected to broader European policy and research discussions.
For more information about the EU Agri 2040 Conference, visit the European Commission event page: EU Agri 2040 Conference.
Stay up to date with the developments in COLiBRI via the project website and social media: Linktree.