In the face of urgent global challenges, ranging from climate change to food insecurity, Excel4Pro and TealHelix, have established a promising synergy to foster more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems across Europe and beyond.
Though distinct in focus, both initiatives share a vision for transforming the way we produce, label, and consume food, grounded in innovation, collaboration, and the empowerment of diverse stakeholders.
Shared Goals, Complementary Strengths
Excel4Pro (“Strengthening the Capacity of Excellence Hubs of Türkiye, Greece, and Ukraine to Support Innovation Ecosystem of Novel Foods Based on Plant Proteins”) is dedicated to scaling up regional plant-based protein ecosystems through collaborative research and innovation. The project connects Excellence Hubs in Türkiye, Greece, and Ukraine, aiming to advance the development of high-quality plant-based foods, improve processing techniques, and boost regional capacity through training, investment attraction, and cross-border cooperation.
TealHelix, tackles the consumer end of the food system. It focuses on inclusive and personalised food labelling, helping consumers, especially those most vulnerable, make more sustainable choices. By combining motivational matching, behavioural science, and digital innovation, the project seeks to redesign how sustainability information is presented and used, ultimately encouraging more conscious and planet-friendly decision-making.
At their core, both projects address critical leverage points in the food system transformation:
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Empowering consumers and producers through tailored information, education, and support.
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Building robust, place-based innovation ecosystems that are equipped to meet global sustainability targets.
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Bridging research and real-world application with interdisciplinary tools, from behavioural science and AI to agri-food innovation and regional capacity building.
By joining forces, Excel4Pro and TealHelix are set to explore shared methodologies, data synergies, and stakeholder engagement strategies, particularly around consumer behaviour, labelling standards, plant-based nutrition, and systemic innovation in the food value chain.
Together, Excel4Pro and TealHelix aim to deliver excellence in their respective domains and also to amplify their collective impact, fostering solutions that are both scientifically robust and socially equitable.
The teams look forward to future joint activities, knowledge exchange, and outreach opportunities that will support EU policy goals such as the Green Deal, Farm to Fork Strategy, and Digital and Biodiversity Agendas.