The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in cooperation with the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food (HAPIH), is launching the 6th edition of the IPA Autumn School in Osijek today, a leading training initiative aimed at strengthening national capacities in risk assessment and risk communication among experts from pre-accession countries.
“We are proud that these days Osijek and Slavonia are once again the central place for the transfer of knowledge and experience, not only at the national but also at the regional level, and that HAPIH is recognized as a reliable partner”, emphasizes HAPIH’s Executive Director Hrvoje Hefer, pointing out that Croatia, as still the youngest member of the European Union, has valuable experience from the accession process and adaptation to European standards.
“We believe that the knowledge acquired at this event will strengthen the work of the participants in their home institutions and ultimately facilitate their path to joining the European Union and the much-needed demanding harmonization process”, concluded Director Hefer
This year’s edition, titled “Capacity building of Early to Mid-career professionals in Food Consumption Data and Plant Health Risk Assessment from IPA beneficiaries“, brings together almost 30 participants from pre-accession countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey.
“Since its beginning in 2019, the Autumn School has become the foundation of the joint efforts of EFSA and HAPIH in supporting the development of strong, science-based food safety systems in IPA pre-accession beneficiary countries. By fostering knowledge sharing, building technical capacities and fostering alignment with EU standards, the programme helps prepare national competent authorities for more successful integration within the European food safety framework”, said Victoria Villamar, Head of the Cooperation and External Relations Unit at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) at the opening of the Autumn School. She reminded that previous editions of the Autumn School explored key topics such as the principles of food safety risk assessment, effective communication strategies and the education of a new generation of risk assessment experts throughout the region.
During the two-day program, experts from EFSA and HAPIH and guest lecturers from the University of Padova and the Council for Agricultural Research and Analysis (CREA) will share their knowledge and experience with participants through interactive workshops. “During these years, the IPA Autumn School has become a living platform for cooperation, professional networking and exchange of best practices. Building on this strong legacy, the 2025 edition focuses on improving the skills and competences of competent authority professionals working in the areas of plant health risk assessment and food consumption data. The program combines theoretical learning with practical exercises and interactive discussions, offering participants the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practical, real-world contexts,” explains Villamar and concludes that through the continued success of the IPA Autumn School, EFSA and HAPIH reaffirm their joint commitment to empowering IPA beneficiaries on their path to EU integration by strengthening expertise, promoting cooperation and supporting the development of resilient food safety and plant health systems across the region. The Autumn School is a long-term initiative and an example of successful partnership between EFSA and HAPIH, achieved within the framework of the European Union Pre-Accession Programme 2023-2026 (IPA III), funded by the European Commission.
