(EU ERA TALENT) FEM, as an EURAXESS Local Point, is committed to promoting the development of careers and the mobility of researchers. The project "Mentoring Routes: Unleashing Innovative Careers for Young Researchers (MR2YR)" pursues this goal by aligning with the ERA Talents action, which aims to improve the interoperability of careers and the employability of talents in the field of research and innovation across various sectors.

The project offers a training program dedicated to young researchers and PhD students, including workshops, meetings, and seminars led by experts. It focuses on enhancing research through the drafting of project proposals, strategies for communicating the impact and results of research, and entrepreneurship.

The aim is to support young researchers and doctoral students in shaping their future and exploring new career opportunities beyond traditional academic paths, while bridging the gap between their current research activities and future aspirations. It also aims at linking research with society by encouraging young researchers to realize the true potential of their work and facilitating their transition from academic to non-academic careers. This action is in line with the objectives of the Researcher Careers Beyond Academia Hub, a network of EURAXESS members aiming to support early career researchers in their transition to non-academic careers and to establish a network of local actors bridging the gap between research and socio-economic sectors. The training path will be designed and implemented in collaboration with the Trentino Innovation Hub Foundation (HIT).

It will also extend the EURAXESS services already provided by the FEM, including a Welcome Office to support international mobility and initiatives to improve the support and follow-up of research careers.

(BIM Sarca, Micio, Garda) L’obiettivo generale del progetto è la valorizzazione e l’innovazione della filiera noce e della filiera castagno in maniera sostenibile.

Attività FEM:

• Intervento 1: la valutazione del processo di maturazione e dei tempi ottimali di raccolta del noce;
• Intervento 2: la caratterizzazione di due importanti patologie del noce, antracnosi e batteriosi, con valutazione di suscettibilità varietale;
• Intervento 3: la valutazione del fabbisogno idrico di un castagneto come base per lo sviluppo di un modello di gestione efficiente del castagneto;
• Intervento 4: la valutazione di una possibile riduzione degli sprechi di produzione e lavorazione con conseguente creazione di nuove opportunità per valorizzare al massimo le risorse locali.

(HEU Horizon Europe 21-27) Bryophytes, including mosses and liverworts, have long been overlooked in the world of biotechnology. However, these ancient plants hold a treasure trove of biologically active compounds (BACs) with immense potential for bioeconomy. The BRYOMOLECULES project, a groundbreaking research initiative funded by the European Union within the Horizon Europe program, aims to explore and harness this potential, driving innovation in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. 

The BRYOMOLECULES project employs cutting-edge biotechnological approaches. By establishing innovative methods for cultivating bryophytes and engineering their metabolic pathways in controlled environments, the project aims to produce high-value BACs without relying on overharvesting natural populations. This dual strategy not only ensures a steady supply of these valuable compounds but also aligns with the European Union’s commitment to environmental sustainability and resource efficiency, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable bioeconomy. 

Over the next three years, BRYOMOLECULES will provide groundbreaking insights into the vast untapped potential of European bryophytes, making significant contributions towards the European Green Deal, namely by: 

• Advancing knowledge of European bryophytes and how they can be used in bioeconomic development, particularly in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors; 
• Developing innovative biotechnological methods to produce BACs, enabling new, greener biochemical routes that contribute to decreasing environmental impact; 
• Driving economic growth by creating new, marketable, and patentable bio-based innovations that will support the development of sustainable industries in Europe, contributing to the circular economy; 
• Engaging the public through educational initiatives to raise awareness about the ecological and economic value of bryophytes; 
• Promoting the valorisation of the biotechnological capacity of European bryophytes by providing alternative methods for producing BACs, and at the same time reducing the pressure on natural populations by promoting conservation and preventing biodiversity loss; 
• Active collaboration between academic and industrial partners, enhancing the competitiveness of European biotech companies and BAC producers. This collaborative approach will drive innovation and ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of bioeconomic development. 

The ultimate goal of the BRYOMOLECULES project is to unlock the biotechnological potential of European bryophytes and support a transition to a greener, more sustainable economy. 

(Alpine Space 2021-2027) Mountain headwaters are a key component of Alpine water resources providing natural- and socio-ecosystem services. Climate change, with the degradation of the cryosphere (glaciers, permafrost, snow), and human pressure are increasingly impacting mountain headwaters availability and quality  in Alpine systems. These alterations challenge Alpine communities and impact ecosystem services. The design of effective adaptation plans and management strategies remains a challenge for policy makers and  stakeholders of Alpine territories, due to data gaps, difficulties to develop hydrological models enabling testing management scenarios and insufficient knowledge transfer from science to policy and from policy to science.

Thus, the WATERWISE project aims to provide solutions for communities and protected area managers to assess the vulnerability of headwater catchments and design sustainable management and adaptation strategies. 

(ALPINE SPACE 2021-2027) Alpine lakes are facing anthropogenic challenges led by touristic pressures and eutrophication, worsening over time with climate change. Frequent cyanobacterial and algal blooms caused by eutrophication make waters unsuitable for drinking, recreation, and industry. Blooms are accompanied by decreased biodiversity and oxygen depletion, posing a risk to water ecosystem; cyanotoxins in blooms pose also a health risk. The challenges mentioned above can be addressed using novel satellite-based solutions and improved cooperation between academia and decisionmakers.

The project objective is to improve freshwater management, using novel ecosystem-based approaches for climate change adaptation and disaster risk prevention.