Food Chemistry 113 (2009) 846–850

Contents lists available at ScienceDirect

Food Chemistry

journal homepage: www.elsevier .com/locate / foodchem

Training and capacity building in central and eastern Europe throughthe EuroFIR and CEE networks

Mirjana Pavlovic a,*, Cornelia M. Witthöft b, Peter Hollman c, Paul J.M. Hulshof c, Maria Glibetic a,Janka Porubska d, Fré Pepping e,f, Arne Oshaug g

a Nutrition Department, Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Tadeusa Koscuskog 1, Belgrade 11000, Serbiab Department of Food Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Swedenc Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlandsd VUP Food Research Institute, Bratislava, Slovakiae The Graduate School VLAG, Wageningen University, The Netherlandsf United Nations University – Food and Nutrition Programme, USAg Akershus University College, Lillestrom, Norway

a r t i c l e i n f o

Article history:Received 29 November 2007Received in revised form 18 March 2008Accepted 23 March 2008

Keywords:TrainingCapacity developmentNetworkEuroFIRCentral and eastern Europe

0308-8146/$ - see front matter � 2008 Elsevier Ltd. Adoi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2008.03.069

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +381 11 3037997; faxE-mail address: mirjana.pavlovicmd@gmail.com (MURL: http://www.srbnutrition.info (M. Pavlovic).

a b s t r a c t

Capacity building in food and nutrition aims to enhance knowledge and support infrastructural develop-ment in this field. International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS) was established on the basis ofthe recommendations of an international group convened under the auspices of the United Nations Uni-versity (UNU). The European Food Information Resource Network (EuroFIR, Network of Excellence) aimsto develop and integrate food composition data through Europe including CEE countries. EuroFIR, joinedforces with the United Nations University/UN System Standing Committee on Nutrition, in capacitybuilding. Inventories have been initiated by EuroFIR on food composition data base status and on capacitydevelopment needs. The inventories showed that many activities are already ongoing, providing a goodpotential for developments needed. Substantial differences exist between the countries, including lack ofunderstanding about the concepts and what quality implies. Assessing the quality, frequency of thecapacity development activities and the number of staff trained is needed. Several countries lacked ade-quate information; 6 of 8 had established Food Composition Databases, but none had electronic versionsof the Food Composition Databases. Most had national databases, but needs for additional equipmentseems considerable. Education, training, workshops, networking and sharing of experiences werecross-cutting themes for most countries. It is concluded that capacity development is a long-term, contin-uing process, with policies, plans, and activities and should have national priority. Special attentionshould be given to the capacity development dimensions generated by global and European strategies.Capacity development networks would be important tools in addressing present and future needs in var-ious countries. The EuroFIR training and exchange program is a valuable tool in achieving this.

� 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction

Capacity development includes human resource development,organizational, institutional and legal framework developmentwith the aim of enhancing knowledge and skills. Capacity develop-ment in food and nutrition is therefore much more than formaltraining, and takes often place in parallel with such training (Pav-lovic et al., 2008). In a number of activities within projects of theEU, capacity development within specific needed areas is central;this is addressed in the European Food Information Resource Net-work (EuroFIR) (EuroFIR, 2007a), and within another Capacity

ll rights reserved.

: +381 11 2030169.. Pavlovic).

Development Network for CEE countries (Pavlovic, Pepping, & Osh-aug, 2006). The ambition of EuroFIR is to be a European Network ofExcellence on Food Composition Databank systems, and it aims todevelop and integrate a comprehensive, coherent and validateddatabank providing a single, authoritative source of food composi-tion data in Europe. Capacity development is thus a long-term,continuing process, which should be given priority in nationalplans, policies and processes.

EuroFIR was established between 49 partners from 25 countriesunder the framework of the EU. Some of those countries are part ofthe UNU/SCN Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition(NCDN-CEE) also. The NCDN-CEE was initiated by the United Na-tions University (UNU). The UNU is part of the UN System StandingCommittee on Nutrition’s (SCN) Working Group on Capacity Devel-opment. The NCDN-CEE has participants from about 10–12

M. Pavlovic et al. / Food Chemistry 113 (2009) 846–850 847

countries, but the number of countries and participants vary overtime due to available resources and accessibility of the partici-pants. There is a clear intention of EuroFIR and NCDN-CEE to col-laborate on capacity development (Pavlovic, Pepping, & Oshaug,2007).

This paper briefly outlines the features and challenges of Euro-FIR’s links with the UNU/SCN Network for Capacity Developmentin Nutrition for CEE countries, which has a specific focus on capac-ity development.

2. Capacity building activities

2.1. EuroFIR spreading excellence activities for Non-EuroFIR countries

The EuroFIR (EuroFIR, 2007a) work package ‘‘Training, educa-tion and vision to postgraduates and young scientists” has theobjectives to promote knowledge, skills development and visionin food composition research within the network, and across Eur-ope through a coherent set of closely inter-related training andeducation activities (Hollman, Witthöft, Elburg & Hulshof, 2008),and to promote gender equality in training opportunities and up-take. Activities are intended to result in a high level of integrationof existing and new training activities in this field and include thefollowing:

Table 1Food composition database status in non-EuroFIR countries in Central and Eastern Europe

Bosnia &Herzego-Vina

Czech Republic Hungary Croat

National foodcompositiontables

No Yes Yes Yes

Electronicversion ofFCDBa

No No No In pro

National foodconsumptiondatabase

No Yes Yes Yes

Financialsupport

– Temporary Partial –

Organizationresponsiblefor foodconsumptionsurveys

NationalInstitute forStatistic

The CzechStatistical Office

National Institutefor Food Hygieneand Nutrition

NoNE

Familiarity withsteps inestablishingFCDB

No – No Yes

Need forequipmentand facilities

Yes No Yes Yes

Possibility toprovidetraining toothercountries

No No Yes No

Expectationsfrom thisproject

Education,training,capacitybuilding

Standardization inFCDB development

Comprehensive,up-to-dateknowledge onbuilding FCDB

DevelorgainFCDBhighe

Developingnetworkbetweencountries

Possible areaswithcollaborationwith EurFIRpartners

Visits,trainings,workshops,seminars

Provide data onnational foods,supply data ondairy products

Sharing experienceto harmonizemethods; join PhDtraining

ExchaexperFCDB

a FCDB food composition database.

� Organise, develop and coordinate training activities (workshops,courses) linked to the Network’s strategic goals.

� Coordinate information on specialised research facilities andtraining opportunities for all network partners and additionalcollaborators.

� Co-ordinate and optimise training exchange programmes for thewhole network and collaborating centres.

Inventories of specific training needs of compilers in non-EuroFIR countries in CEE Europe were made, aiming to identifythe specific training needs and opportunities for collaborationwith EuroFIR by establishing contacts with national compilersin non-EuroFIR countries. To address this, two on-line question-naires (EuroFIR, 2007b) were created, which addressed the foodcomposition data base status and the specific training needs inthese countries. Data were collected and analysed during 2006/2007 resulting in a ‘‘Joint Report on Identified Training Needsof non-EuroFIR Compilers from Europe and Beyond” (Porubskaet al., 2007). Furthermore, a EuroFIR workshop on the topic‘‘Training and Capacity Building for non-EuroFIR CEE Countries”,was held in Belgrade in June, 2007, and enabled to identify fu-ture collaboration opportunities between networks (Pavlovicet al., 2007).

ia Slovenia Macedonia Monte-Negro

Romania

Yes Yes No Yes

cess No No No No

Partly (meat, meatproducts)

Yes Yes Yes

Temporary – – Temporary

State StatisticalOffice

State StatisticalOffice

NoNE NationalInstitute forStatistic

Partly No No Yes

– Yes – Yes

Yes Yes No No

oping andzingon ar level

– Training, sharingexperience

Training

ngeience incollecting

Contact withother researchers,collaboration withEuroFIR

Sharingexperience anddata, visits, jointresearch projects

– Exchange ofinformationon FCDB

848 M. Pavlovic et al. / Food Chemistry 113 (2009) 846–850

2.2. Inventory of Food Composition Database Status (FCDB) in non-EuroFIR Countries

In the questionnaire information regarding the status of thefood composition databases was asked (Table 1). Several countriesdid not have adequate information to respond to all questions. Ofthe 8 countries, 6 had established Food Composition Databases,but none had an electronic version. Most countries answered thatthey have national food composition tables, but the need for addi-tional equipment for nutrient analysis seems considerable. Onlytwo country responders were familiar with the required steps inestablishing food composition databases, which is a serious signalabout the need for more capacity development in the area. Coun-tries with missing FCDB could be given preference in general train-ing and capacity building, while countries with created FCDBidentified issues such as data quality, website building, applicationof standards and recommendations, compatible with the standard-ized European system, as important training needs. Countries withdeveloped FCDB usually have relatively sufficient capacities, whilecountries with missing FCDB have only one person who is aware ofthe topic. This is considered lack of capacity.

A general problem is software development and recruitment ofan expert for this area. Finally, training is needed continuously, forboth experts and young people. Detailed information on the indi-vidual activity has been processed in the Report on the Workshopon Strengthening Capacity in Central and Eastern European Coun-tries, October 2006 Bratislava, Slovakia (Porubska et al., 2006), andsubsequently incorporated into the Joint Report on IdentifiedTraining Needs of non-EuroFIR Compilers from Europe and BeyondActivities (Porubska et al., 2007).

Regarding expectations and possible areas for collaborationwith EuroFIR, education, training, workshops, capacity building,networking and sharing of experiences are cross-cutting themesfor most countries. Also issues on methodology, research collabo-ration and specific research projects were raised (Table 1) (Pavlovicet al., 2007).

2.3. Inventory of training needs in CEE countries in Europe

An analysis was made in Europe of the results of the on-linequestionnaire of the non-EuroFIR compilers and databases in orderto identify researchers and compiler training needs in the nationaldatabases. Table 2 reveals that many compiling activities are al-ready ongoing, and thus the potential for a good development ispresent. While Hungary, Georgia and Slovenia identified the high-est number of areas with No indicating that no training is required,

Table 2Training needs in production and use of food composition database (n = 9) in non-EuroFIR

Albania Armenia Bosnia&Herze-Govina

Croatia CzechRepub

Methods for nutrient analyses Yes Yes Yes No NoSampling of foods Yes Yes Yes Yes YesData quality and data evaluation Yes Yes Yes Yes YesFood nomenclature systems Yes Yes Yes Yes YesDatabase management system Yes Yes Yes Yes YesDefine priorities for including foods

and nutrients in databaseYes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Steps in establishing FCDBc Yes Yes Yes Yes YesReviewing of existing data Yes Yes Yes Yes YesRecipe calculations Yes Yes Yes No YesTotal yes/per country 9 9 9 7 8

a National Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition.b Central Food Research Institute.c Food Composition Database.

the information compiled in the table does not enable assessmentof the quality of the activities in each country where a Yes wasmarked (Table 2). From this inventory of training needs, the re-quests included assessment of the quality, frequency of the capac-ity development activities, and the number of staff trained, in eachindividual country in order to ensure future capacity developmentactivities for national compilers. This is very important becausethat would be part of assessing whether the system is sustainableor not.

2.4. Capacity building in research, training and education through theEuroFIR and CEE Networks

The Central and Eastern European Countries Food Data Systems(CEECFOODS) is a technical cooperation network on food composi-tion which promotes sub-regional food composition activities with-in CEE region. The network was created in 1997 with a purpose toimprove co-operation among organisations engaged in FCDB activ-ities in CEE region and create a common sub-regional FCDB. A JointEuroFIR/CEECFOODS/FAO Food Composition Database Workshopwas held in Sofia, Bulgaria in July 2005 (Finglas, 2005). The mainpurpose of the meeting was to establish two-way dialogue withCEECFOODS and other CEE national compilers and to inform partic-ipants about EuroFIR project and call for new partners. Useful infor-mation for EuroFIR about status of CEECFOODS and activities inother CEE countries was provided. As a result of the meeting Latvia,Lithuania and Serbia joined the EuroFIR project in 2006.

The UNU/SCN Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition inCentral and Eastern Europe (NCDN-CEE) supports countries in devel-oping research and training in public nutrition based on countryspecific needs and promoting food, as part of nutrition national ac-tion plans (Pavlovic et al., 2006). This Network was established in2005, and a framework for guideline capacity development activi-ties was developed (Fig. 1). Two of the priorities areas of the NCDN-CEE in the framework (the Educational level) were training in FoodComposition Databases (FCDB). On the second CEE network meet-ing in Budapest in 2006 (Pavlovic et al., 2006), the EuroFIR projectwas introduced to the members of the network and a collaborationbetween the two networks was initiated. National food databasesand national nutrition action plans were identified as importanttools for public health nutrition development, and thus capacitydevelopment would be essential. On the Training in CapacityBuilding Workshop for non-EuroFIR CEE Countries in June 2007and 3rd NCDN-CEE meeting recently held in Belgrade, Serbia in2007, future activities in training and capacity development forCEE non EuroFIR countries were presented (Pavlovic et al., 2007).

countries in central and eastern Europe

licGeorgia Hungary

NIFSNaHungaryCFRIb

Macedonia Monte-Negro

Romania Slovenia

Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes YesYes No No Yes Yes Yes NoNo No No Yes Yes No YesYes Yes Yes Yes Yes No NoNo Yes Yes Yes Yes No YesNo No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes NoYes No Yes Yes Yes Yes NoNo No No Yes Yes Yes Yes4 4 5 9 9 6 5

Challenges/Problem areas

Levels

Duration

PrioritizedStrategies/activities

Food security (WFS 1996)

Nutrition

3. Educational 2. Institutional 1. Governmental

ContinuousMedium/long termShort term

Lobby/advocacy forFood and nutritionaction plans

• Engage in monitoring/ evaluation activities

• Develop national FNAP, FCDB and FBDG

• Promote staff development • Argue for funding FCDB • Engage in Nutrient

Recommendations • Develop project proposals for

EC

• Nutrition promotion and FBDG and using FCDB

• Popularize scientific findings adapted to local challenges andfood habits

4. Community

For all: Fund raising/networking/communication material

• Develop project proposals for EC • Training in FCDB and FBDG • Engage in FCDB development• Support the FNAP• Disseminate research results to users• Engage in nutrient recommendation dissemination and training• Update a web-based food and nutrition network

Fig. 1. Framework for challenges, levels of actors, prioritised strategies and activities, and time perspectives in nutrition in CEE countries (Pavlovic et al., 2006). Definitions toabbreviations: CEE - Central and Eastern Europe; EC - European Commission; WFS - World Food Summit; FNAP - Food and Nutrition Action Plan; FCDB - Food CompositionDatabase; FBDG - Food Based Dietary Guidelines.

M. Pavlovic et al. / Food Chemistry 113 (2009) 846–850 849

3. Achievements so far

EuroFIR established as mentioned the collaboration with theUNU/SCN Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition inCentral and Eastern Europe (NCDN-CEE) (Pavlovic et al., 2007).A joint EuroFIR/CEECFOODS/FAO food composition database(FCDB) workshop was held in Sofia, Bulgaria in June 2005. Inaddition, a EuroFIR course on the production and use of foodcomposition data in nutrition was held in Bratislava from 16to 27 October 2006. Thirty participants from mainly CEE coun-tries attended this course. The need for additional tailor madetraining was one of the outcomes of the course evaluation(EuroFIR, 2006). Furthermore, a memorandum of understandingwas introduced to CEE countries by EuroFIR and already signedby four institutions from Czech Republik, Hungary, Croatia andSlovenia, which were identified as official organisations involvedin the national food composition database or food tableproduction.

3.1. Future capacity development activities in CEE countries inconnection with EuroFIR

EuroFIR activities regarding capacity development in CEE coun-tries will continue in the future, including:

� Specific regional tailor made training courses, workshops andtraining exchange visits in EuroFIR and non-EuroFIR countriesof central and eastern Europe will be developed and offered incollaboration with EuroFIR.

� EuroFIR will support teams or institutions from CEE countriesinvolved in relevant food composition communication andinformation.

� Aiming for further non-EuroFIR CEE countries to sign the mem-orandum of understanding as a basis for future collaborationwith EuroFIR.

4. Conclusions

Collaboration between networks such as EuroFIR and the UNU/SCN Network for Capacity Development in Nutrition in Central andEastern Europe (NCDN-CEE) provide excellent cross-roads forcapacity building in training and research. Experiences have shownthat networking create opportunities for sharing experiences, andgive synergistic effects beyond more formal training sessions.Capacity development networks would be useful tools in address-ing needs in various countries, streamlining regional involvementand collaboration, and would have the potential of leading to in-creased capacity to address the food, health and nutritional chal-lenges, including food data-base development of the region.

Acknowledgements

This work was completed on behalf of the EuroFIR consortiumand funded under the EU 6th Framework Food Quality and SafetyProgramme (FOOD-CT-2005-513944).

References

EuroFIR (2006). Report on shortened food comp course including recommendationsfor follow-up.

EuroFIR (2007). European food information resource network. <http://www.eurofir.net/index.asp?id=1> Accessed 31.10.07.

EuroFIR (2007). Online special training needs questionnaire. <http://www.eurofir.net/form.asp?id=6549> Accessed 31.10.07.

Finglas, P. (2005). Report on the Joint EuroFIR/CEECFOODS/FAO food compositiondatabase workshop.

Hollman, P. C. H., Witthöft, C. W., Busstra, C., Elburg, L., & Hulshof, P. (2008).Training aspects in the use and production of food composition databases. TheEuroFIR experience. Food Chemistry, 113, 842–845.

Pavlovic, M., Pepping, F., & Oshaug, A. (2006). Report of the inauguration meeting ofthe network for capacity development in Nutrition in Central and EasternEurope. <http://www.srbnutrition.info/?page=Network?> Accessed 31.10.07.

Pavlovic, M., Pepping, F., & Oshaug, A. (2007). Report of the 3rd meeting of thenetwork for capacity development in Nutrition in Central and Eastern Europe.<http://www.srbnutrition.info/?page=Network> Accessed 11.2007.

850 M. Pavlovic et al. / Food Chemistry 113 (2009) 846–850

Pavlovic, M., Pepping, F., Michal, D., Biro, L., Szabolcs, P., & Dimitrovska, Z., et al.(2008). Turning Dilemmas into opportunities: A UNU/SCN capacitydevelopment network in public nutrition in central and eastern europe.Journal of Public Health Nutrition (submitted for publication).

Pavlovic, M., Finglas, P., Witthöft, C., Pepping, F., Hollman, P., Glibetic, M., et al.(2007). A partnership between network for capacity development in nutrition(NDCN-CEE) in central and eastern europe and european food information

resource network (EuroFIR). Abstracts of the 10th European nutritionconference. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, 51(Suppl. 1), 322.

Porubska, J., & Nemeth, K. (2006). Report on the workshop onstrengthening capacity in central and eastern european countries(CEEC).

Porubska, J., Pavlovic, M., Finglas, P., Hollman, P., Witthöft, C., & Glibetic, M., et al.(2007). Joint report on identified training needs of non-EuroFIR compilers fromEurope and beyond activities.