Roadmap
Discover how COLiBRI will build its roadmap and implementation plan in stages – translating research, infrastructure and funding needs into shared EU-level priorities for plant breeding research.
Photo courtesy of ÖMKi
Plant breeding research in Europe currently develops across a patchwork of national programmes, funding schemes and infrastructures, with limited coordination between the public and private sectors. This fragmentation makes it harder to align priorities, share resources, and respond collectively to shared challenges such as climate adaptation and food security.
COLiBRI sets out to address this gap, drawing on evidence gathered across the project to translate the research, infrastructure and funding needs identified into a shared set of EU-level priorities for the sector to move from fragmented effort towards coordinated, collaborative action.
To this end, COLiBRI will deliver two essential outputs:
- A roadmap and implementation plan for the future of plant breeding research in Europe, built on collaboration between the public and private sectors
- A framework for a collaborative EU-wide plant breeding research and innovation network
How the roadmap will be developed
The roadmap is built in stages over the course of the project, drawing on evidence gathered across all focus areas and validated with stakeholders at each step.
Outline and vision
The starting point for the roadmap was a workshop held during the project's kick-off meeting on 9 July 2026, initiating the development of the roadmap and implementation plan. The workshop explored how plant breeding research and innovation can contribute to current and future EU policy objectives and strategic priorities. Through interactive discussions around short- and long-term policy scenarios, participants reflected on the future policy environment, the potential contribution of plant breeding R&I, and the supporting elements needed to ensure its effective contribution to European goals. The workshop provided the foundation for subsequent roadmap development and stakeholder consultation activities within COLiBRI.
Integrating research, infrastructure and funding needs
Findings from the project's analysis work packages on research and innovation gaps, infrastructure, and funding will be synthesized and tested in June 2027 with stakeholders through a dedicated workshop and analysis (e.g. SWOT). The results will be captured in a concise public report highlighting early project achievements.
Developing the roadmap
Building on this evidence base, a strategic roadmap for plant breeding research and innovation in Europe will be drafted. The draft will be presented in June 2028 at a stakeholder workshop for review, feedback, and co-creation, and incorporates the framework for a collaborative plant breeding network.
Finalizing the roadmap
The roadmap will be finalized and presented at COLiBRI's closing dissemination event in November 2028, together with the accompanying implementation plan.
The implementation plan
Alongside the roadmap, COLiBRI will develop an implementation plan setting out concrete actions, roles, partnerships, policy actions, monitoring arrangements, and a timeline for putting the roadmap into practice. A draft will be reviewed together with the roadmap at the same validation workshop, before the final version will be presented at the closing event to secure stakeholder buy-in and institutional uptake.