Global Foodture: Nurturing Sustainable Collaborations and International Growth
The Global Foodture project, a strategic initiative under the ESCP partnerships by the European Commission, has set its sights on fostering collaborations with clusters and relevant organizations in Asia. Targeting four key regions – Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Thailand, the project aims to intensify collaboration across regions and sectors to support the internationalization of European SMEs.
As a first step, the current situations in Singapore, Thailand, South Korea, and Japan were comprehensively studied. The analyses drew insights from press articles and documents gathered from authorities such as chambers of commerce, embassies, and governmental agencies. The identification of relevant governmental and private organizations played a crucial role in the partner identification phase. One-to-one introductory meetings were conducted using a questionnaire to explore each country’s situation and gauge interest in the initiative.
The culmination of these discussions led to the organization of internal and external virtual workshops, where Global Foodture partners defined priorities and validated information. The consortium analysed feedback, information, and results to devise a strategy for concrete activities and actions with both Asian and EU partners.
Identifying Opportunities and Constraints
Through these analyses and workshops, common opportunities and constraints across the four target countries were identified. The potential for new trends in the agri-food sector, digitalization, sustainable food production systems, and similar goals were recognized. However, local regulations, SMEs’ accessibility, IP management, funding identification, labour shortage, cultural differences, and communication barriers were identified as common constraints.
To support SMEs in their internationalization efforts, the project developed an internationalization support program for target countries (South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Singapore). The program aimed to enhance SMEs’ internationalization capabilities and create a global framework for export promotion and cross-sectoral cooperation.
Global Foodture International Training Program
The Global Foodture International Training Program was designed to equip SMEs with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful internationalization. The program included a series of webinars covering various aspects of internationalization, providing participants with insights into market customs, business practices, and other essential elements for entering new markets.
A key component of the program were the 24 digital master classes. These classes, categorized into four verticals – Agriculture Cultivation Support Solutions, Health Products, Functional and Personalized Food, Alternative Proteins, and Sustainable Packaging, showcased relevant EU-Asia climate change technologies in the food value chain.
These master classes, held monthly, attracted participants from a wide range of ecosystems across Europe and Asia. The combination of leading researchers presenting cutting-edge research and startups/SMEs showcasing technological solutions created a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and networking.
From online to Asia
The purpose of all these analyses, collaborations, trainings and master classes was to prepare the European and Asian companies for the two missions organised in the frame of the project.
The first one to Thailand in May 2023 and the second one to Singapore in November 2023. You can find out all the details of both missions and main highlights in our previous articles:
Exploring the Future of Food Innovation: A Journey Through Singapore – Global Foodture
Nurturing Global Collaborations: Success Stories from the Global Foodture Missions – Global Foodture
Global Foodture Internationalization Strategy Vision
As the Global Foodture project progresses, it continues to focus on building collaborations, addressing climate change challenges, and providing comprehensive support to SMEs venturing into international markets. The holistic approach, encompassing analysis, workshops, training programs, and master classes, aims to unlock the full potential of SMEs and contribute to a sustainable and resilient future for the global food industry.
The long-term vision of the Global Foodture project aligns with the global effort to combat climate change. Recognizing the impact of climate change on economies and lives worldwide, the consortium envisions creating a Global Foodture Alliance. This alliance aims to facilitate international collaboration, exchange technology, and enhance capabilities in participating organizations to contribute to climate change mitigation.
