The MICROORC consortium gathered in Stockholm, Sweden, on 13–15 October 2026 for its General Assembly, hosted by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, to review achievements and define priorities for the project's final year.
The three-day meeting brought together project partners to exchange updates and discuss progress across MICROORC's main research areas: microbiome-based solutions to improve food quality and safety, innovative approaches to shelf-life prediction and smart labelling, and sustainable food packaging technologies.
With MICROORC entering its final year, discussions focused on the upcoming pilot activities, the validation of developed solutions and the steps needed to translate research outcomes into practical applications with long-term benefits for the food sector.
A key highlight was the interactive “Last Mile to Impact” workshop, which provided an opportunity for partners to reflect on the results achieved, identify remaining challenges and explore potential pathways for the exploitation and uptake of project innovations beyond its lifetime.
The programme also included a visit to RISE's laboratories, encouraging further technical exchange and collaboration among consortium members.
PNO Innovation Italy, responsible for supporting MICROORC's communication, dissemination and exploitation activities, participated in the discussions, contributing to the project's efforts to maximise the visibility, uptake and long-term impact of its results.
As MICROORC approaches its final phase, the consortium remains committed to transforming microbiome research into innovative solutions that can enhance food safety, extend shelf life and contribute to reducing food waste.
The General Assembly marked another important step towards achieving these objectives, strengthening collaboration among partners and setting the direction for the months ahead.
