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The BEANS Meta Network promotes legumes as a key part of sustainable Mediterranean food systems. By connecting research, policy, and practice, BEANS supports innovation, knowledge exchange, and capacity building to advance nutrition, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture across the Mediterranean region.
The BEANS Meta Network (Boosting Euro-Mediterranean Agri-food through Networked Systems) was announced in Bari in March 2024, following the International MEDIET Seminar, with the aim of promoting legumes within Mediterranean food systems. The MEDIET project has served as a foundation for the valorization of local and genetically selected pulses emphasizing their health benefits, potential in food processing, and market viability.
Building on shared analyses and multiple specialized seminars, the BEANS Meta Network was established in 2025 through seed funding from CIHEAM Bari, with support from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation MAECI and CIHEAM. Officially launched on June 5, 2025, BEANS aims to bridge knowledge, policy, and practice across the Mediterranean, focusing on cultivar improvement, nutritional promotion, and climate-smart agriculture.
The BEANS Network, aims to focus on research projects, policy advocacy, capacity building, and knowledge dissemination. This initiative aligns with the CIHEAM Strategic Plan 2030, focusing on Sustainable Food Systems, and was formally endorsed at the CIHEAM Ministerial Conference in Rabat in October 2024.
Executive Commettee Meeting (online), to be held on Monday December 22, 2025, to discuss the upcoming international calls and check the avalibility and potential contribution of BEANS members.
Why BEANS?
Legumes play a vital role in addressing some of the Mediterranean region’s most pressing challenges. They contribute to healthy and affordable diets, improve soil fertility and biodiversity, and support climate-resilient agricultural systems.
Despite their potential, legumes remain underutilised across many Mediterranean agri-food systems. BEANS responds to this challenge by fostering a coordinated, network-based approach that strengthens collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation at regional level.
Our Goals
1. Knowledge & Research
To collect, organize, and disseminate existing knowledge, data and research on legumes, covering their environmental, economic, genetic, agronomic, and socio-cultural dimensions.
2. Collaborative Programmes
To create collaborative programs that facilitate joint applications for international funding opportunities, with a particular focus on green transition initiatives.
3. Partnerships & Innovation
To support the development of international partnerships for research and innovation initiatives related to legumes.
4. Awareness & Advocacy
To raise awareness about the multiple benefits of legumes, including their nutritional, health, and environmental advantages.
Operational Framework of BEANS
Introducing BEANS
Learn about the key aspects of our project through this informative video presentation.
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