The official kickoff of the brand-new MSCA PHOENIX project took place in Ghent on July 1st, marking the start of a 48-month initiative led by HOMEOTECH Co following an outstanding proposal evaluation score of 97.60%. Funded by the European Union’s prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the project’s core objective is to establish and operate a coordinated scientific and technical network dedicated to preserving three endemic, threatened palm species: Phoenix theophrasti (Greece/Türkiye), Phoenix canariensis (Canary Islands), and Phoenix atlantica (Cape Verde). By addressing urgent environmental threats and safeguarding traditional community knowledge, MSCA PHOENIX aims to secure the long-term survival and ecological sustainability of these iconic species.
Central to the project’s framework is a dynamic program of staff secondments designed to foster knowledge transfer and collaborative research among international experts. The consortium brings together key partners, including HOMEOTECH Co and CIHEAM MAICh (Greece), GESTION Y PLANEAMIENTO TERRITORIAL Y MEDIOAMBIENTAL, S.A. and Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain), Akdeniz University and ANTOK ANTALYA (Türkiye), and Instituto Nacional de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Agrário-INIDA (Cape Verde). Beyond driving scientific advancements, these international exchanges offer researchers valuable opportunities to experience new working environments, build enduring global synergies, and embrace professional diversity. Full project details, updates, and research findings are now accessible on the official MSCA PHOENIX website at [Insert Website Link Here].