CORE Organic objectives

The overall objective of CORE Organic is to enhance the quality, relevance and utilisation of resources in European research in organic food and farming by gathering a critical mass and establishing a joint research programme.

The four specific objectives are:

1 Increased exchange of information and establishment of common, open web-based archive

Initially, the project will carry out mapping and analysing of existing research programmes, activities and facilities in partner states. The information will partly be used for establishing web-based project databases, and partly to develop the open access archive for research documents on organic food and farming (www.orgprints.org).

Besides databases and archives, an Internet portal with links to national and regional research programmes and other issues relevant to research in organic food and farming will be established.

2 Coordination of existing research and integration of knowledge

A thorough description of the current situation in member states and the institutions participating in organic farming research will be produced. The data will be used for identification of barriers, gaps and possibilities for increased cooperation as well as for identifying new research areas suitable for cooperation.

3 Sharing and developing best practice for evaluating organic research

Objective three will focus on the joint development of best practice of evaluation and quality assurance in new research areas within organic food and farming. For evaluation of projects and programmes, a set of criteria, as well as a list of excellent experts, will be developed. Training schemes for research personnel and experts will be developed.

4 Identification and coordination of future research

A list of prioritised research topics and plans for future coordination will be developed and a range of procedures for transnational funding will be agreed.

By the end of the project, the goal is to establish a joint research programme and a joint pool of at least 3 million euro per year for transnational research.

Synergy by coordination

CORE Organic will develop synergy between the existing activities within research in organic agriculture and lead to the development of mutual opening and mutual access to research results.

It will lead to the development of common evaluation criteria and joint identification and coordination, as well as joint funding of selected research topics in organic food and farming.