Support for the operation "Boutiques des Sciences"

The objectives of this support were: 1) to accompany requests emanating from civil society organizations on food and agriculture issues in order to help them evolve into research problems thanks to intermediation work and contacts with researchers competent in the field of research concerned by the request; 2) to co-construct transdisciplinary research projects following a collaborative approach; 3) to allow students to be trained in research within the framework of collaborative research projects.

These resources have made it possible to organize multi-actor workshops to present the results of a project and to co-construct a new project, to support civil society actors involved in the incubation and support of transdisciplinary projects, and to finance internships as part of a project supported by Trait d’Union.

These activities have allowed us to support five requests from civil society organizations. These applications resulted in: 1) the submission of a consolidated project to the CO3 call for projects, which was selected; 2) two M2 internship topics; 3) two accompaniments that did not result in a specific project. In addition, the internship grants allowed the co-financing of a 3-month internship at the L3 level, a 3-month internship at the M1 level and a 6-month internship at the M2 level within the framework of the Cèbes Occitanes collaborative project (Fondation de France funding). This project aimed to highlight the links between the genetic diversity of local sweet onion varieties and the level of activity of the mycorrhizae with which they interact. The data produced in the framework of this project are still being valorized and have already given rise to two public presentations.

Trait d’Union is considering moving towards a thematic organization. Currently, two poles are being structured: biodiversity/environment and social action. A third pole on food and agroecology is also in gestation following the requests received and the activities already carried out on this theme thanks in particular to this punctual support.