EuroFIR AISBL - Annual Report 2014

EuroFIR Association Internationale sans but-lucratif (AISBL) was founded in 2009 by the EuroFIR Network of Excellence (NoE, FP6) and, following EuroFIR NEXUS, has evolved into a financially independent Association, based in Brussels (BE). Many of the original 47 EuroFIR partners are members of the EuroFIR AISBL, but we have also broadened our membership to include Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and other academic and research organisations as well as individuals including students from the food and health sector.

Establishing EuroFIR AISBL has not been easy and it remains a challenge to maintain and extend our membership, deliver benefits and added value, and secure EU- and other income streams in a highly competitive and demanding environment. Membership has increased and we will focus on increasing numbers of Ordinary Members, especially food and health researchers and other professionals, in 2015.

We also need to hear more from members about their needs. We take on board suggestions we receive (e.g. improving the website) and implement changes where possible, despite only having a small team with limited time and resources. We also seek opportunities to include developments for the Association in funding proposals wherever possible.

Finally, I wish to thank our hard-working and dedicated Office Team as well as the Executive Board, and our members for your continued support; together we can deliver better awareness and sustainable use of food composition activities in Europe.