The Agricultural University of Athens (AUA), the third oldest university in Greece, has been contributing to primary sector through education and research since 1920.

It comprises six Schools covering areas such as sustainable agriculture, food science, biotechnology, nutrition, and agricultural economics. AUA conducts one-third of Greece’s agricultural research, with funding from EU programs, national sources, and private sector partnerships. Over the past four years, it has participated in more than 200 EU projects, including Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe, and is a key member of initiatives like EU-CONEXUS (among the founding member) and Smart AKIS. Through its Technology Transfer Office “InnovinAgri,” AUA fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, while its Lifelong Learning Center (KEDIVIM) offers adult education and training programs. AUA also manages experimental farms, such as the 100ha farm in Aliartos, which serve as Living Labs for carbon farming technologies.

In the ANIPH project, AUA plays a key scientific and technical role, focusing on the assessment of biodegradability, safety, and environmental impact of bio-based plastics. It leads the development of an AI-based predictive system, conducts biodegradation testing (laboratory, mesocosm, soil, freshwater, marine), supports ML-based safety evaluations, and contributes to digital traceability and sustainability assessments.