LEI, together with Wageningen University (Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Group and Division of Human Nutrition), is joining forces within a European collaborative project to train the West Balkan countries (WBC) in the application of consumer and market research. The general objective of this European project, FOCUS-BALKANS, is to improve competencies and understanding in the field of consumer food science in these countries.
Focus Balkans provides the West Balkan countries with a mechanism for learning-by-doing. The project results in education, networking and scientific research. The specific objectives are to:
- develop the competences and understanding of public organisations, private enterprises and NGOs in the WBC countries regarding food consumer science (training);
- develop a network of universities, institutes, high schools, consumer organisations, NGOs and private enterprises active in the field of food consumer science that are able to develop joint-research activities (networking);
- have a better understanding of food consumers in the WBCs, with a focus on products with positive nutritional properties (fruits and health/diet foods) and/or sustainability (organic and traditional food products).
The Focus Balkans project will last till 2011 and consists of a challenging consortium of 15 partners.
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