Ghent University boosts sustainable crop protection research through EU Horizon project REENFORCE

European agriculture faces the urgent challenge of protecting crops while preserving biodiversity and reducing environmental impact. To strengthen research and innovation in this area, the new EU-funded project REENFORCE (“Research Excellence and Empowerment through New Frameworks for Open Research and Career Enhancement”) is bringing together top institutions from Greece, Portugal, and Belgium.

Coordinated by the Agricultural University of Athens, the project aims to empower researchers and institutions in so-called “Widening countries” through targeted training, international exchanges, and cross-sector collaboration. Ghent University plays a leading role in the consortium, coordinating Work Package 3, which focuses on training and career development for early-career scientists.

“By fostering collaboration and mobility between academia and industry, REENFORCE helps build the next generation of experts in sustainable crop protection,” says Prof. Thomas Van Leeuwen (Laboratory of Agrozoology, UGent).

Three pillars for sustainable innovation

REENFORCE focuses on three interconnected themes crucial for the future of European farming:

1. Bio-based and low-risk pesticides – developing safer alternatives to conventional crop protection products.
2. Ecotoxicological assessment – evaluating environmental safety and long-term effects.
3. Smart spraying technologies – using precision tools to minimize waste and exposure.

Through over 200 specialised training modules and structured researcher exchanges, the project will strengthen cooperation between universities, research institutes, and agri-tech companies. The resulting handbook of best practices and policy recommendations will support long-term research excellence across Europe.

Ghent University’s contribution

UGent’s experts from the Laboratory of Agrozoology and the Laboratory of Crop Protection Chemistry will lead the implementation of researcher secondments, training modules, and career development plans. The team—Prof. Thomas Van Leeuwen, Prof. Pieter Spanoghe, Dr. Wim Jonckheere, and Dr. Edelbis López Dávila—brings world-class expertise in pest management, bio-based solutions, and environmental risk assessment.

“Our role is to ensure that knowledge and skills flow freely across borders and sectors, making sustainable crop protection not just a research ambition but a practical reality,” adds Prof. Pieter Spanoghe.

Towards resilient and sustainable agriculture

By the end of the project, REENFORCE aims to leave a lasting mark on the European Research Area—enhancing employability, institutional capacity, and innovation in sustainable agriculture. The project also supports Europe’s transition to a resilient, low-impact, and competitive bioeconomy.