Recently, partners of the Erasmus+ project NEEMA gathered in Helsinki for a Steering Committee meeting, marking an important milestone in the project's implementation. The meeting focused on reviewing progress achieved so far and defining the strategic priorities for the final implementation phase leading up to the project's completion in January 2027. Representatives from the European and African partner institutions participated both in person and online. Together, they assessed progress across all work packages, while the lead partners presented updates on ongoing activities, key achievements, and the next steps for each project component.
A major focus was the completion of four pilot training programs developed by Kehl University of Applied Sciences. These programs are scheduled to be implemented in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Senegal. The partners also reviewed the launch of the NEEMA Online Toolkit, a comprehensive digital collection of resources and practical tools on food and nutrition resilience designed for higher education institutions, policymakers, and civil society organizations.
Preparations for the Regional Policy Dialogue, which will take place on 8 - 9 December 2026 in Dakar, Senegal, also featured prominently on the agenda. The event will bring together experts, policymakers, and academic representatives to discuss the role of higher education institutions in addressing food security and resilience challenges across West Africa.
Beyond monitoring project implementation, the Steering Committee carried out a comprehensive quality review, evaluating overall progress and ensuring that the project remains on track to achieve its objectives during the remaining implementation period.
The meeting also included the expert workshop "Food and Nutrition Resilience: Impact of the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy," providing participants with insights into the implications of European sustainability policies for food systems and their relevance to the Sahel and West African context.
About NEEMA
NEEMA is a 36-month Erasmus+ capacity building project supported by the Ulysseus European University. Closely aligned with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy, the project adapts these policy frameworks to the specific needs and challenges of the Sahel and West Africa.
Coordinated by the University of Seville, NEEMA brings together 14 universities from Africa and Europe to strengthen food and nutrition resilience, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities. Through academic cooperation, the development of context-specific curricula, and pilot initiatives, the project aims to build long-term capacities in food security and sustainable development.
Impressions from the NEEMA Steering Committee meeting in Helsinki
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