Projects
Ongoing projects
ProxiMed (2023-2027)
ProxIMed, a collaborative initiative spanning 17 partners across 10 countries, is revolutionizing the Mediterranean food system. Addressing climate change, population growth, and food security, the project introduces sustainable proteins, including plant-based sources and novel foods. Using eco-friendly processing, ProxIMed aims to create tailored products for diverse regions, promoting a resilient Mediterranean lifestyle.
GiantLeaps (2022-2026)
GIANT LEAPS accelerates the transition from animal-based to alternative dietary proteins to work towards a safe, health-promoting and sustainable food system.
CIPROMED (2023-2026)
The main objective of the CIPROMED project (CIrcular and Inclusive utilisation of alternative PROteins in the MEDiterranean value chains) is to increase the stability and resilience of Mediterranean agri-food production systems through direct exploitation of locally produced traditional crops, as well as by valorising the proteins from locally generated agri-industrial side-streams (e.g., brewer’s spent grain, oilseed presscakes), and the upcycling and bioconversion of their extraction residues to protein produced by insects, legumes, microalgae and fermentation to be further utilized in the agri-food and feed sectors.
Like a PRO (2022-2026)
The LIKE-A-PRO project facilitates sustainable and healthy diets by shifting promising alternative proteins and products from niche to mainstream.
ADVAGROMED (2022-2025)
ADVAGROMED (ADVanced AGROecological approaches based on the integration of insect farming with local field practices in MEDiterranean countries) aims to develop a new, innovative, holistic agricultural production system based on agroecological principles and circular economy practices. ADVAGROMED introduces sustainable farming practices to increase the resilience of the agro livelihood systems. Using a multi-actor approach, ADVAGROMED applies the Circular Economy / zero waste principle developing a sustainable and innovative farming system in the Mediterranean Area. ADVAGROMED uses by-products of local agricultural productions for rearing insects (Hermetia illucens and Tenebrio molitor). This innovative farming system aims to be adopted by small farms, generating additional income for farmers across the Mediterranean.
Past projects
InsectFeed (2020-2024)
The InsectFeed programme aims to generate high-quality fundamental knowledge on using fly larvae as animal feed in poultry production systems. The Insectfeed program aims to: (1) investigate insect production, especially focussing on insect health, insect welfare and the intrinsic value of insects, (2) investigate insect-fed poultry health and welfare, (3) conduct an economic analysis of the value chain development.
Smart Protein (2020-2024)
The Smart Protein project is aiming to develop alternative protein ingredients and products for humans which have a positive impact on bio-economy, environment, biodiversity, nutrition, food security and consumer trust and acceptance.
Insect Doctors (2019-2024)
A European double-degree network aimed at educating insect pathologists to understand and prevent infectious diseases in mass-reared insects for a variety of purposes.
Food4future (2020-2024)
food4future – Food of the Future (f4f) is a joint project funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the “Agricultural Systems of the Future” program. Since 2019, we have been investigating radical innovations for a sustainable and healthy food supply. We are currently in the second funding phase, in which we are further deepening our research and transferring new solutions into practice.
SUStainable INsect CHAIN (SUSINCHAIN) (2019-2023)
SUSINCHAIN contributes to novel protein provision for feed and food in Europe aiming to increase the economic viability of the insect value chain and open markets by combining forces in a comprehensive multi-actor consortium. The project was funded by .
NextGenProteins (2019-2023)
NextGenProteins optimizes the production of three alternative proteins (edible insects, microalgae proteins, and single cell proteins) and verifies their use in feed and food applications to meet customers’ needs and ensure consumer acceptance.
GREEiNSECT (2014-2017)
Mass- production of insects can contribute to the food supply both now and in the future. GREEiNSECT is a collaborative research consortium of universities and private partners aiming to investigate how mass-production of selected insect species can be developed in Kenya as a nutritious food source, as well as a a novel protein source for animal feed.
