3rd CEAFIRST General Assembly

Background
The CEA-FIRST project, funded under Horizon Europe, is operationalising the International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA). Anchored in the AU-EU partnership and guided by the FNSSA Roadmap of the High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD), the IRC is envisioned as a multi-actor, member-based platform designed to address fragmentation in research and innovation (R&I) efforts and promote scalable, impactful solutions. The operationalisation is being undertaken in consolidation and pilot phases. Over the course of the Consolidation Phase, the CEA-FIRST project has made significant progress in establishing foundational structures and laying the groundwork for IRC implementation, which now informs the transition to the pilot phase.

Notable achievements over the past 24 months include:

• Establishment of CEA-FIRST project governance structures, visual identity, dissemination, exploitation and communication plan and channels
• Establishment of the IRC’s governance structures and operational frameworks, such as the General Assembly, Secretariat, Council, External Advisory Committee, and Working Groups.
• Development of IRC Statutes, designed primarily as a comprehensive partnership instrument, detailing its governance, membership and operational structure.
• Launch of the IRC membership call and development of a membership growth strategy, including the TOR for implementation.
• Review of the 2016–2026 AU-EU FNSSA Roadmap.
• Development of a clustering strategy and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework for the CEA-FIRST, IRC and FNSSA Partnership.
• Expansion of the FNSSA database

As the project enters the IRC Pilot Phase, it seeks to operationalise the IRC as a central mechanism for the implementation of the FNSSA Roadmap (2027-2036) by delivering collaborative services, driving knowledge exchange and supporting regional innovation ecosystems. This transition marks a critical juncture in the project’s lifecycle, requiring the formalisation of governance structures, validation of strategic and operational plans, and endorsement of core service offerings.
The Third General Assembly meeting, scheduled for 25 November 2025, is convened virtually to consolidate progress made during the consolidation phase, reflect on lessons learned, challenges and innovative aspects that have emerged and prepare for the successful implementation of the IRC Pilot Phase. It will serve as a platform for ratifying key documents, approving institutional arrangements, and aligning stakeholders around a shared vision for the IRC’s role and impact.

Objectives of the General Assembly Meeting
The meeting specifically aims to:
1.Review and consolidate progress, challenges, and innovative aspects that emerged from the Consolidation phase of the CEA-FIRST Project
2.Present and seek approval for the IRC governance and functioning, and
3.Ratify key IRC documents, including the IRC Statutes, and visual identity
4.Validate and ratify the IRC Strategy and Operational Plan (SOP)
5.Approve the IRC Secretariat functioning and associated portfolio of services, including MEL, Knowledge Management Systems (KMS), Clustering, and working groups (functional ones on research, education, advisory services, agro-industries, policy as well as cross-cutting enablers on funding, communication, youth & gender)

Expected Outcomes
•IRC governance and functioning formally approved
•Ratified IRC Statutes and SOP, including visual identity
•Endorsed IRC service offerings and year 3 work plan

Register Here:  Registration Form – 3rd CEA-FIRST General Assembly