On 27 January 2025, the city of Thessaloniki, Greece became the meeting point for a shared vision of sustainable agriculture. It was there that we officially launched FERTITEC, an EU-funded Coordination and Support Action (CSA) bringing together seven international partners across Europe and Africa to advance innovation in circular fertiliser systems.
Now, three months on, we take a moment to reflect—not just on what was initiated, but on what was truly begun: a collaborative journey grounded in mutual learning, technical exchange, and a commitment to transformation.
More Than a Meeting—A Foundation for Collaboration
The Kick-Off Meeting (KoM) in Thessaloniki marked the formal start of the project, but it also marked something deeper: the forging of partnerships that bring together policy and practice, science and systems thinking, and knowledge and local context.
Thessaloniki, with its rich cultural heritage and welcoming atmosphere, provided more than a backdrop. It reminded us that building sustainable futures requires not only innovation, but also dialogue—across cultures, across sectors, and through shared experience. From structured sessions to informal conversations over meals, the KoM laid the groundwork for a collaborative ethos that continues to shape how we work.
From Europe to Africa: A Diverse, Multinational Team
FERTITEC’s strength lies in its diversity. By connecting researchers, practitioners, and policymakers across two continents, the project supports interdisciplinary learning and the identification of best available techniques (BATs) for fertilisers made from secondary raw materials. This cross-sector collaboration is key to scaling sustainable fertiliser innovations in diverse agricultural systems.
Looking Ahead
In the months since the Kick-Off, the FERTITEC team has been working actively to integrate insights from previous EU projects, chart progress toward circularity, and engage stakeholders through our Knowledge Exchange Platform (KEP). These efforts build directly on the spirit of openness and cooperation that was established in Thessaloniki.
To capture a glimpse of that moment, we invite you to watch a short video from the event—where ideas met purpose, partnerships began to grow, and shared meals and culture helped deepen our connection across borders.
Watch the KoM recap video here
Learn more about FERTITEC: https://fertitec-project.eu