The Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP) organised in March 2025 in Brussels the 1st FEAP Next Generation Academy, entitled: “A deep dive into EU Institutions”. This training event was attended by 15 selected young industry professionals from all over Europe. Among them, Orestis Anagnopoulos, who represented Greece and the company in the framework of the event.
This educational initiative focused on the functioning of the institutional framework of the European Union and on the policy-making processes that shape the aquaculture sector. Its objective was to strengthen participants’ understanding of EU institutional mechanisms, identify opportunities for policy engagement, and foster the development of a new generation of professionals with a European outlook.
Throughout the programme, participants attended meetings and technical presentations with:
- Members of the European Parliament and the Committee on Fisheries
- Representatives of the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) and the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD)
- Experts from organizations such as the European Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Platform (EATIP), the European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC), the Market Advisory Council (MAC) and the Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC)
Participants also had the opportunity to attend the official launch of the EU communication campaign on aquaculture: “We work for you with passion”, with the presence of Commissioner Costas Kadis and aquaculture stakeholders from across the EU.
The FEAP NextGen Academy offered valuable insights into EU decision-making processes and emphasized the importance of timely, well-informed contributions from aquaculture professionals to policy development. It also highlighted the need to strengthen public-private collaboration and enhance transnational cooperation among Member States, in order to promote a sustainable and resilient aquaculture sector in Europe.
FEAP is planning to organize similar awareness-raising and training activities for young professionals in the aquaculture sector in the near future, recognizing the importance of ensuring that all professional profiles in the sector are familiar with how decisions are made at the EU level.
APC SA fully supports FEAP’s initiative and believes that such actions serve as an excellent example of effective capacity-building within the industry.
APC SA remains committed to actively following European developments and participating in international initiatives, with a strategic goal to promote sustainability, innovation and competitiveness in the aquaculture sector.
Warm thanks to FEAP for the excellent organization and high-level training, as well as to SOJA DE PORTUGAL for supporting an initiative that empowers the next generation to play a key role in the strategic development of the sector.