From 4 to 6 February 2025, partners of the newly launched VALOR gathered in Reading, United Kingdom, for the project's official Kick-off Meeting (KoM). Hosted by the coordinating institution - University of Reading. The three-day event marked the start of a multi-actor project. 

The meeting opened with an introduction from project coordinator Dr. Top Breeze (University of Reading), who outlined VALOR's vision, objectives and interdisciplinary research approach. 

This was followed by a presentation from Vujadin Kovacevic (European Commission), who provided an overview of the EU Action on Pollinators, emphasising its policy application and relevance to the project. 

Vujadin Kovacevic, VALOR KoM, UK, 2025

Day one concluded with a presentation of VALOR's nine Work Packages (WP), led by respective WP leaders, who introduced their key objectives, expected outputs, and opportunities for collaboration. The sessions provided structural clarity and a strong foundation for the consortium. 

The second day focused on in-depth thematic discussions. Partners introduced the project's focal regions and specifications, and the session included:

• A deep dive into the crop-pollinator dependence database (WP2);
• A workshop on the cultural and social values of pollinators, with input from focal region representatives (WP4);
• Planning for research on value chains and human health (WP5);
• Methodological sessions on data collection with farm businesses and wider stakeholders (WP4).

Thematic discussion, VALOR KoM, UK, 2025

The third and final day agenda shifted towards impact, tools and stakeholder engagement. Dr. Tom Breeze opened with an outline of the project's dissemination and impact strategy. Heli Sihvonen and Sebastian Bekker (UNEP-WCMC) introduced the Exploring Natural Capital Opportunities, Risks and Exposure (ENCORE) tool and its relevance to VALOR.

Teodor Metodiev (Pensoft Publishers) gave a presentation on Safeguard Knowledge Exchange Hub (Safe-Hub), an integrative platform designed to centralise pollinator-related data. 

Teodor Metodiev, VALOR KoM, UK, 2025

The meeting concluded with short presentations on synergetic projects, a sister project, BUTTERFLY by Maria Clara Castellano and AGRI4POL by Dr. Adam Vanbergen. 

VALOR KoM laid the groundwork for strong collaboration across the consortium; now the project moves forward in its mission and beyond. 

VALOR's consortium, VALOR KoM, UK, 2025