EuroFIR AISBL - Annual Report 2018

EuroFIR Association Internationale sans but lucratif (AISBL) was founded in 2009 by the EuroFIR Network of Excellence (EU FP6). As we move into our 10th year of operations, we can be extremely pleased with the progress EuroFIR has made in establishing a self-funding, independent International Association. The continued support of our Members is essential to future success and we need to be aware of their needs and wants as we update and refine our activities.

During the last year, I have been particularly pleased with two new activities: firstly, launch of the new Discussion Groups, and the general enthusiasm of Members in participating in these, and, secondly, joint GCRF-funded training with Quadram Bioscience Institute (UK) and WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, and the creation of harmonised food data for this Region that will be made available via FoodEXplorer in 2019.

Our achievements stem from a broad range of activities, including acquisition of new food composition data and testing of tools, standardisation of methods and updated thesauri to support tasks for the Discussion Groups and outreach amongst users and stakeholders. Our participation in several EU-funded research and innovation projects also provides us with access to new networks and data, tools or services that can be added to our core platform in the future.

The team in the Office has also been extremely busy, and special mention should be made of Sidonie Pauchet’s Executive Masters in Association Management. Angelika Mantur-Vierendeel has also commenced part-time postgraduate studies, in Poland, on psychodietetics, which will broaden her knowledge and understanding of the psychological aspects of nutrition and eating behaviours.

Lastly, my thanks to the EuroFIR Directors who continue to have a key role in our strategic planning and operations. Last year, we said goodbye to three Directors (Barbara Koroušic Seljak – JSI [SI], Aida Turrini – CREA [IT] and Luísa Oliveira – INSA [PT]) and hello to two new Directors, Maria Kapsokefalou (AUA, GR) and Helena Soares Costa (INSA, PT), who have already started to explore some new training opportunities. This year, we also say goodbye to Gregorio Varela Moreiras (San Pablo CEU University, ES). Hopefully, we will continue to interact with all of them in the future.