Executive Committee Meeting and Network Workshop

The BEANS Network Strengthens Its Mediterranean Agenda on Legumes in Rome

Rome, 22 May 2026 – Members of the BEANS Network gathered in Rome at the headquarters of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT for the Executive Committee Meeting and Network Workshop, marking an important milestone in advancing cooperation on legumes and sustainable food systems across the Mediterranean.

Chaired by the CIHEAM Secretary General Teodoro Miano, the meeting brought together Executive Committee members from partner institutions including ICARDA, ENEA and IRESA, alongside researchers, experts and stakeholders participating online from across the Euro-Mediterranean region.

Discussions focused on the implementation of the BEANS Action Plan and the consolidation of the network's strategic priorities for 2026–2027. Particular attention was devoted to strengthening cooperation among members, preparing joint responses to upcoming Horizon Europe and COST Action funding opportunities, and expanding the thematic webinar programme designed to facilitate knowledge exchange and scientific dialogue.

Participants also agreed on the creation of dedicated working groups to support collaborative project development and reinforce the network's contribution to research, innovation and capacity-building initiatives related to legumes. The meeting further explored opportunities to broaden membership and enhance training activities targeting researchers, students and practitioners throughout the Mediterranean.

The Rome meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss the future communication and visibility strategy of the network, including initiatives aimed at raising awareness of the nutritional, environmental and socio-economic benefits of legumes among policymakers, producers, consumers, youth and women. These priorities are expected to contribute to positioning BEANS as a leading Mediterranean platform connecting science, policy and practice around legumes and sustainable food systems.

Among the new initiatives presented was the preparation of a major scientific publication entitled Legumes for a Resilient Mediterranean Future: Science, Culture and Innovation, planned for 2027. Coordinated by the CIHEAM General Secretariat and BEANS partners, the volume will bring together leading experts from across the Mediterranean and address topics ranging from agronomy and climate resilience to nutrition, biodiversity, value chains, governance and cultural heritage. The publication is intended to serve as a reference work for researchers, policymakers and development practitioners while reinforcing the network's role as a regional knowledge platform.

As highlighted by Teodoro Miano, "the BEANS Network continues to build the partnerships and knowledge infrastructure needed to place legumes at the heart of sustainable, resilient food systems."

Launched in 2025 under the impetus of CIHEAM, the BEANS initiative (Boosting Euro-Mediterranean Agri-food through Networked Systems) promotes cooperation among research institutions, international organizations, public authorities and agri-food stakeholders to unlock the full potential of legumes for nutrition, environmental sustainability, climate resilience and rural development across the Mediterranean. The network continues to expand its activities in support of a more sustainable and resilient regional food future.