On 2–3 July in Bologna, Italy, the ActFast Kick-off Meeting marked the official start of the project’s collaborative efforts to advance sustainable aquaculture. The event brought together project partners, representatives from the European Union, and advisory board members to align on objectives and strategies.
The first day began with an overview of the project presented by UNIBO, followed by sessions on EU research policy for sustainable aquaculture and project management guidance from the European Research Executive Agency. Each partner briefly introduced their role within the consortium, setting the stage for in-depth technical discussions.
Subsequent presentations covered the project’s Work Packages, including climate projections, regional aquaculture actions, sustainability assessment, market uptake, knowledge transfer, and project coordination. Work Package leaders outlined objectives and initial approaches, establishing the foundation for the technical work ahead.
Day two featured parallel Work Package sessions to refine first-year work plans and timelines, concluding with a plenary wrap-up that showcased presentations from WP1 to WP8. The meeting ended with a General Assembly to confirm next steps and coordinate future activities, ensuring a strong start toward innovative and sustainable aquaculture solutions.
