On October 1, 2024, the OrganicTargets4EU project celebrated a significant milestone: the 20th anniversary of the CORE Organic network. Over the past two decades, this network has played a pivotal role in advancing organic food and farming research across Europe, directly supporting the goals of OrganicTargets4EU and contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.

The CORE Organic network has funded 62 research projects with a total investment of €61.9 million. These projects have focused on critical areas such as circular bioeconomy, animal health and welfare (including pigs, cattle, and chickens), fruit and vegetable production, plant breeding, biodiversity, and human health. This extensive body of research has significantly influenced the direction of the OrganicTargets4EU project by providing evidence-based insights that drive policy development and innovation in organic farming.

The latest iteration of the network, CORE Organic Pleiades, operates as a policy-exchange platform under OrganicTargets4EU. Through this collaboration, CORE Organic has not only contributed to research but also strengthened policy frameworks and international cooperation among 44 partners from 28 European countries/regions and beyond, aligning with the EU’s ambitious organic agriculture targets.

One of the key resources for the project’s stakeholders and researchers is the newly accessible CORE Organic Research Archive, which offers a comprehensive collection of scientific results from all 62 funded projects. This archive is a crucial tool for the OrganicTargets4EU initiative, as it provides valuable data and insights that help inform ongoing and future strategies aimed at achieving the EU’s organic farming goals.

This milestone highlights two decades of impactful research and collaboration, which continue to shape the future of organic farming in Europe and support the overarching mission of OrganicTargets4EU.