Horizon Europe projects GIANT LEAPS and VALPRO Path will host their joint final conference, Protein Transition: GIANT LEAPS Ahead and VALPRO Paths to Follow, on 25 June 2026 at Atelier des Tanneurs in Brussels. The event will bring together around 200 policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders to present science-based solutions for Europe’s protein transition.
Key Sessions and Insights
The conference is relevant for stakeholders across the alternative protein value chain, from primary production to consumer engagement and policy implementation. It will present research results, business models and practical tools that can support policymakers, industry, and researchers in accelerating Europe’s transition towards more sustainable protein systems.
Core sessions will focus on: 1) understanding barriers to alternative protein adoption, 2) scientific and technological solutions, 3) sustainability in the dietary shift, and 4) pathways for Europe’s protein transition, with each session followed by expert panel discussions to encourage dialogue between science, policy, and industry.
Project Highlights
Paul Vos, Senior Researcher and Expertise Leader in Nutrition, Quality & Health at Wageningen Food & Biobased Research and coordinator of the GIANT LEAPS project, highlights the practical impact of the project:
“GIANT LEAPS has taken a holistic approach in assessing the potential of a range of alternative proteins to contribute to a healthy and sustainable, as well as an innovative and competitive future of Europe. Findings indicate that different proteins, from plant-based ingredients to insect and biomanufactured proteins have different and complementary roles to play across aspects of consumer perception and preference, food technology, health and sustainability impacts, and along different timelines. At the conference, we will show how this evidence translates into clear recommendations for policymakers and industry, helping identify next steps and R&I priorities to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system that supports healthy diets.”
In the afternoon, parallel sessions will explore key areas of innovation, including improvements in primary production and processing, and the development of safe, healthy, and trusted alternative protein products. The conference will conclude with a plenary session on future research, highlighting priorities and gaps to guide Europe’s long-term protein transition.
Ewen Mullins, coordinator of the VALPRO Path project, emphasizes the importance of this knowledge-sharing event for plant protein transition in Europe:
“At this joint event, we look forward to showcasing tangible ways to strengthen the protein value chain across Europe. With a focus on maximising opportunity from our mission of ‘the right crop in the right place for the right market’, VALPRO Path has developed practical tools and strategies to support farmers deliver resilient cropping systems, while also validating a range of processing technologies to support tangible business cases. By evaluating and optimizing protein crops for food/feed production, we are also generating added value for separate byproducts derived from processing. Coupled with the development of new business model scenarios that have been assessed for their economic and environmental sustainability, VALPRO Path is co-designing those propositions that we believe will accelerate the journey of protein transition, in the face of future challenges”
Participation and Registration
Participation in the conference is free, but registration is required. Stakeholders are encouraged to register and share the invitation within their networks.
Register for the event, view the agenda, and meet the speakers: LINK
About Giant Leaps
The GIANT LEAPS project is a Horizon Europe research and innovation action that aims to accelerate the transition from animal-based to alternative dietary proteins. It is co-funded by the EU and focuses on creating a safe, health-promoting, and sustainable food system. The project aims to cover at least 50% of the total protein demand with alternative protein sources by 2030. It engages with a wide range of stakeholders to promote societal, economic, and policy changes that reduce the environmental impact of the food system while improving the health and well-being of European citizens.
About VALPRO Path
From harnessing on-farm processes to creating business models, VALPRO Path aims to turn food-chain actors towards sustainable plant protein production. Its mission is to pioneer fresh possibilities, validating and showcasing ways to enhance plant protein production for food and feed in the EU. Furthermore, by promoting local crops such as lentils, peas, chickpeas, lupin, faba beans, and soybeans, the project supports soil health, enhances biodiversity, and helps cut greenhouse gas emissions linked to livestock farming and long-distance transport.
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