AWARE

Animal WelfAre Research in an enlarged Europe

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The goal of AWARE is to promote integration and increase the impact of European research on farm animal welfare (FAW). It will do so through the development of Europe-wide networks of scientists, lecturers and students, and by establishing a network of stakeholders active in FAW knowledge transfer and implementation. AWARE actions will be organised in 3 mutually supportive Work Packages (WPs). WP A “Research” will enhance the integration of FAW research by fostering collaboration based on mutual recognition and by enhancing networking and proposal writing skills in motivated researchers throughout the enlarged Europe. WP B “Education” will promote cross-fertilisation in FAW university education, thus enhancing opportunities for young scientists in new and candidate countries to start research in FAW. WP C “Awareness and Implementation” focuses on enhancing public awareness, promoting implementation of EU policies, and facilitating uptake of FAW research. All 3 Work Packages proceed in 4 steps: 1. Mapping, 2. Establishing networks, 3. Improving skills and 4. Developing strategies for ongoing integration. Three horizontal activities support the WP’s: a Mobility Desk facilitates mobility of researchers and students; the Communication module supports internal and external communication; and Management takes care of project management and effective communication with the Commission. AWARE will increase the European research capacity in FAW activities, through integrating the underutilized human and knowledge potential in the new and candidate countries. The project will result in faster and more comprehensive FAW knowledge transfer across Europe. It will also build for the future by drawing young scientists into FAW research and providing a base for harmonized implementation of FAW legislation in the enlarged EU.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Member States differ greatly in their farm animal welfare (FAW) perceptions, research, education and laws. An EU initiative set out to promote integration and increase the impact of FAW.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

To achieve faster and more thorough FAW knowledge transfer across Europe, the human and know-how potential in EU Enlargement Countries (ECs) and Candidate Countries (CCs) needs to be maximised.

To help achieve this, the EU-funded 'Animal welfare research in an enlarged Europe' (http://www.aware-welfare.eu (AWARE)) project set up networks of scientists, lecturers and students across Europe, in addition to a stakeholder network engaged in FAW knowledge transfer and implementation.

Project work began with the mapping of FAW science, education and stakeholder involvement in Europe. This included existing research, disparities and weaknesses in university education, training and legislation, as well as various stakeholder activities. The mapping activity helped to identify awareness, knowledge and gaps.

Road shows were organised to generate interest in FAW research and education, while workshops and symposia were held to stimulate and foster collaboration and development of research themes and programmes. Workshops on developing FAW research education were also organised to promote collaboration between university lecturers across Europe.

Awareness raising activities were carried out in ECs and CCs targeting veterinarians, producers and consumers. Additionally, partnership agreements have been established between universities with similar research and teaching profiles.

FAW research capacity was boosted through the exchange of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers within the European Research Area (ERA). Additional workshops were held to enhance skills in networking, proposal writing, and management and administration of EU projects for researchers.

Lastly, the project partners proposed strategies to facilitate even more awareness and to better implement European FAW policies.

AWARE emphasised the need for EU-wide collaboration to balance research, training, policymaking and overall standards in FAW. Society will benefit from safer and higher quality food as a result.