Innovating Europe’s Protein Value Chains: Highlights from the RefreSCAR 1st Hackathon

The 1st RefreSCAR Hackathon, held on 20-21 November 2025 in Vienna, Austria, brought together innovators, researchers, practitioners, SMEs, and policymakers from across Europe to co-develop practical, scalable solutions for strengthening protein value chains.

Over two intense days of collaboration, nine interdisciplinary teams brainstormed, refined and presented ideas addressing key bottlenecks in Europe’s protein sector.

The competitive pitch session was judged by experts Pablo Gómez Grande (SCAR Protein TF, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology – Spanish National Research Council (INIA-CSIC)), Laura Hundscheid (SCAR Protein TF, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Climate and Environmental Protection, Regions and Water Management) and Mladen Radišić (Faculty of Technical Sciences FTN UNS, Foodscale Hub).ty to hear insights of the upcoming Policy Review and Analysis on alternative protein sources study performed by the Task Force.

The first day was framed by insightful keynote speeches from European Commission officials and members of the RefreSCAR Protein Task Force which were highly appreciated by participants for the depth and clarity of the information shared. The latter presented the context, vision and R&I challenges for protein value chains which aim to develop sustainable agricultural and food systems in the EU. Moreover, participants had the opportunity to hear insights of the upcoming Policy Review and Analysis on alternative protein sources study performed by the Task Force.

Giulia Bizzo (European Commission, DG RTD) delivered a comprehensive presentation on processing and consumption trends for alternative proteins and Food 2030 policy framework, while Francisco Castro Alves (European Commission, DG AGRI) provided an overview of the policy context and research and innovation (R&I) priorities related to protein crops.

On the second day, participants refined their concepts and prepared pitch presentations. The nine competing teams represented six different countries and reflected a strong diversity of expertise, backgrounds, age and gender, bringing together profiles ranging from senior female researchers to early-career male PhD candidates.

The nine competing teams were:

• PRO Ireland (IE)
• Pro-Taste (AT)
• Lucky Beans (IE)
• Proteinatives (IE)
• Danube Pro Loop (HU)
• Blended Finance Team (BE)
• Side-Stream2Mainstream (BE)
• Grain Up (LV)
• Susta-Pro (RS)

The Hackathon focused on one of Europe’s most pressing agri-food priorities: building resilient and sustainable protein value chains and it was organised by the RefreSCAR core team – Valentina Cola, Marina Arnaut Stefanović and Julia Mitrović (Foodscale Hub). More than a competition, the 1st RefreSCAR Hackathon reinforced the project’s mission to connect policy, research and practice. By bringing together diverse stakeholders in an interactive format, the event contributed to shaping forward-looking approaches to protein systems in Europe.