CPSBB’s strategic contributions drive BOOSTER’s outreach growth in 2024

From public exhibitions to international collaborations, these events highlight the ongoing commitment to advancing research and fostering global connections. Over the course of 2024, the BOOSTER project has seen a series of dynamic activities that brought together diverse stakeholders from academia, industry, and government institutions.​

These events not only contributed to raising awareness about the project but also played a crucial role in disseminating its goals and outcomes across various sectors​.

In January to March, the project was featured in an open-air public exhibition at the Central City Garden in Plovdiv as part of the CPSBB’s outreach, attracting public interest in the innovative research underway. This exhibition was followed by a presentation of the BOOSTER project on 21 March 2024 to students and academic staff at Sofia University by Dr. Veselin Petrov, emphasizing the project’s importance in advancing agricultural innovation.

May to August 2024 saw the continuation of public exhibitions, with the BOOSTER project being showcased in Trakia District near the CPSBB scientific complex. On 24 May, Dr. Maria Benina presented the project to over 50 representatives from industry and academia within the Bulgarian agricultural sector during an official CPSBB event. The engagement with industry professionals continues to highlight the project’s relevance in practical applications for the agricultural community. On 11 June 2024, the BOOSTER project was featured in the CPSBB LinkedIn newsletter, showcasing the consortium meeting that took place in Plovdiv. The project’s visibility also increased on 12 June, when it was presented as a key element in the WIDERA Horizon Europe Work Programme to representatives from the National Contact Points (NCPs) from eight widening countries. The project also engaged students in hands-on experiences, as demonstrated on 2 July 2024, when the greenhouse experiment was showcased to students from the Professional School of Food Technology in Plovdiv. This direct involvement of students helps foster future generations of researchers in sustainable agricultural practices. In August 2024, Dr. Aakansha Kanojia was interviewed on Bulgarian National Television, highlighting the BOOSTER project’s contributions to sustainable agriculture.

October saw the project presented to students from six European countries visiting CPSBB under the Erasmus+ program, further establishing the project’s importance as a European initiative. The project’s international reach extended further with Dr. Veselin Petrov’s presentation at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing on 7 November 2024, where he showcased the project to a global audience of researchers. On 28 November 2024, Prof. Dr. Tsanko Gechev participated in an interview with Bulgarian National Radio, underscoring the worldwide significance of the BOOSTER project in advancing sustainable agriculture. Finally, on 4 December 2024, Dr. Aakansha Kanojia’s interview was featured in the CPSBB newsletter, which was sent to over 500 companies, academic organizations, media, and government representatives both in Bulgaria and abroad, further amplifying the project’s visibility and impact.

The BOOSTER project continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering collaboration, innovation, and global engagement, reflecting the dedication of its partners in achieving the project’s goals and advancing sustainable agricultural practices worldwide.