NUTRIHubs4NCDs Project Successfully Launched with a Two‑Day Kick‑Off Meeting in Athens

The NUTRIHubs4NCDs project officially commenced with a productive two‑day kick‑off meeting held on 19–20 January 2026 at the University of West Attica (UNIWA) in Athens, Greece. The event was jointly hosted by CRETHIDEV and UNIWA, bringing together all project partners to align on objectives, responsibilities, and the roadmap for the upcoming months.

Day 1 – Monday, 19 January 2026

The meeting began with registration followed by welcome speeches from UNIWA. Partners then introduced themselves, setting a collaborative tone for the sessions ahead.

UNIWA presented the project overview and specific objectives, outlining the vision and expected impact of NUTRIHubs4NCDs. CRETHIDEV followed with an overview of work packages, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring all partners shared a clear understanding of the project structure.

After a short coffee break, discussions continued with presentations on:

• Work plan and financial monitoring framework (UNIWA)
• Quality plan (CRETHIDEV)
• Dissemination, exploitation, and sustainability strategy, including the project logo, social media presence, and communication activities (ALL)

Partners also reviewed the Grant Agreement and Consortium Agreement, followed by updates to the Gantt chart and an open discussion session.

The day concluded with a campus tour of UNIWA, offering participants a closer look at the facilities supporting the project.

Day 2 – Tuesday, 20 January 2026

The second day opened with registration and a session dedicated to equipment procurement, including potential suppliers and approval processes.

CRETHIDEV presented the reporting procedure and the SyGMa platform, ensuring partners are prepared for administrative and financial reporting. This was followed by a discussion on the capacity‑building training schedule, covering planned activities and hosting partners.

UNIWA then led a session on forthcoming deliverables, highlighting priorities and coordination needs for the next phase of the project.

A key milestone of the day was the establishment of the Steering Committee and Quality Committee, with partners defining roles and responsibilities.

After a coffee break, representatives convened for the first Steering Committee meeting, followed by a session exploring synergies with other EU programmes to enhance impact and collaboration.

The meeting concluded with a final discussion on next steps, ensuring all partners are aligned and ready to move forward.