SCAR ARCH
Agricultural Research towards greater
impact on global CHallenges
ORGANISATION
Co-chairs:
- Siegfried Harrer
- Emmanuel Albina
Mandate:
2025 - 2026
Members:
9 countries in Focus Group
Who is who
Brief Information
The SCAR Strategic Working Group – ARCH - has been set up in order to improve linkages between European and international agricultural Research and working towards ways to increase the contribution of European Agricultural Research investments to the solution of global challenges such as climate change and the need for more sustainable food systems.
At national, European and at global level Agricultural Research and innovation activities are fragmented and could benefit from better coordination. SCAR-ARCH intends to strengthen Europe’s position in solving global issues and meet the UN sustainable development goals, that are the common interest and commitment of Europe and the global community.
In order to further strengthen mechanisms for focusing on global issues, ARCH will improve policy dialogue as well as coordination mechanisms at European, national and institutional levels. This includes more joint funding and the chance of a better alignment of national and international research.
MISSION AND AIMS
Main Activities
Improve linkages between European and international agricultural research.
The EU is a strong world leader in agriculture research with around 1/4 of the top 10% publications and patent applications in « Food & bioeconomy » and « Climate & Environment ». By innovating farming techniques and biodiversity conservation, Europe leads in creating solutions with global impact. ARCH «Agricultural Research towards greater impact on global CHallenges» is cross-sectorial working group within SCAR promoting the international dimension of EU research and targeting increased impact on meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Objectives
- Expanding the scope of European research to the global level in areas where global interdependences such as food systems, climate change and diseases are imminent.
- Increasing research impact on meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Improving the efficient use of research funding.
Planned activities
for 2025 and 2026
- Analysis of EU Research, Innovation and Development projects in the last 10 years to address the global challenge of agriculture and food systems transformation.
- Strengthening the international dimension of EU R&I Partnerships.
- Follow-up of the UN Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) and the role of Research and Innovation.
DOCUMENTS
Quo vadis: lessons learned from 10 years of EU funded international R&I partnerships to foster the sustainability of globally connected agri-food systems
Policy brief
February 2026
R&I ANALYSIS REPORT
Achievements of EU Research, Innovation and Development projects in the last 10 years to address the global challenge of agriculture transformation
May 2025
Round Table Report “Internationalisation of EU R&I co-funded partnerships: Challenges and Opportunities"
March 2025
"Research and innovation priorities for more sustainable food systems in Europe and globally"
Policy Brief by SCAR ARCH, Food Systems and Bioeconomy
2024
EVENTS
ARCH Round Table
SCAR ARCH held a roundtable on 13th March 2025 at the European Commission and DeSIRA-LIFT conference in Brussels. The roundtable discussed 'Internationalization of EU R&I co-funded partnerships: Challenges and Opportunities’, moderated by RefreSCAR. The presentations and session recording can be viewed here.
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| 05 Mar 2026; 12:00AM Online Workshop - Identifying Research Gaps for a Resilient Bioeconomy in the Poly-Crisis Context |
| 13 Mar 2025; 12:00AM ARCH round table |
| 23 Jan 2024; 12:00AM Joint SCAR Workshop: “Research needs and priorities for the transformation to Sustainable Food Systems at European and global Level” |