The mission included delegates from France, Slovenia, Belgium, and the Czech Republic.

Strengthening the internationalization of scientific research in Espírito Santo was the main objective of the mission promoted by the Espírito Santo Research and Innovation Support Foundation (Fapes) with representatives from European Union member countries. The agenda was led by Dhallys Mota Nunes, Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Officer at the European Union Delegation to Brazil, and by Fapes’ Technical-Scientific Director, Celso Saibel, and took place from February 24 to 27.

“Fapes had previously promoted a mission in the state capital, and now we wanted to showcase the research and innovation potential we have in the interior of Espírito Santo. There are several education and research institutions carrying out excellent, high-quality work that can establish connections with Europe,” emphasized Celso Saibel.

Laboratories and research centers located from north to south of Espírito Santo were visited during the mission, which traveled through the cities of Linhares, Marilândia, Santa Teresa, Venda Nova do Imigrante, Alegre, and Piúma.

“It was one of the best ideas a State Research Foundation has ever had. Decentralizing the agenda is also a priority of the European Commission, so that opportunities for scientific and technological cooperation and research mobility with the European Union reach not only capital cities but also inland regions. This agenda allowed us to see beautiful places in Espírito Santo, with outstanding researchers and major research centers and institutions, such as those developed by Incaper, the National Institute of the Atlantic Forest (Melo Leitão Museum), Ufes, and Ifes,” said Dhallys Mota Nunes.

The EU Delegation officer continued: “This mission demonstrated not only to the European Union, but also to its member states, the potential for scientific collaboration between Brazil and the European Union.”

Layla Pinheiro, Head of Economic, Environmental and Scientific Affairs for Slovenia in Brazil, was part of the mission. It was her first time in Espírito Santo, and she was impressed by the research conducted in the state.

“Espírito Santo has incredible potential, especially in coffee production. There are several studies underway to track and confirm sustainability, which is extremely important for the European Union, particularly in light of the EU-Mercosur Agreement. It was truly amazing to be here these days. Congratulations to Fapes for the work it is doing, both in decentralizing and internationalizing research developed in Espírito Santo,” Layla Pinheiro noted.

Representing France, Vincent Brignol, Science and Technology Attaché at the Consulate General of France in Rio de Janeiro, participated in the mission and praised the initiative.

“It was a very enriching experience. We visited several research and training centers in the interior of Espírito Santo and here in Vitória, and I believe there are many opportunities to develop cooperation with France in particular and with the European Union more broadly,” he said.

“We saw many initiatives in agriculture and food science, which are also strong areas in France. We have research institutes dedicated to these fields, with representatives based in Brazil. So I believe there may be future cooperation opportunities. In the blue economy field as well — we visited the Ifes campus in Piúma, which develops very interesting projects with great potential. In addition to what is already happening here in Vitória, where there are important collaborations in engineering that we can further expand,” Vincent Brignol added.

Belgium already maintains a partnership with a company from Espírito Santo, supported by Fapes, and the country’s representative also took part in the mission. Julie Dumont, Scientific and Academic Counselor of Belgium in Brazil, said she found it important and interesting to visit the interior of the state.

“I was already familiar with some of the state’s competencies, as we have a game development company from Espírito Santo that established itself in Belgium — Mito Games — through the Horizon Europe Program. This has led to the creation of an entire innovation ecosystem in the gaming sector, including scientific applications of gaming. In addition, there is an AI project from Espírito Santo in the area of media literacy education currently being developed. There are also numerous research initiatives in sustainable agriculture, among others. It was truly interesting to better understand the ecosystems in order to strengthen existing projects and build bridges between them. There are clear synergies,” explained Julie Dumont.

Also participating in the mission was Nathália Burian, Honorary Consul of the Czech Republic in Vitória.

Final Day of the Mission

The mission concluded with an event at Fapes headquarters in Vitória last Friday (27), attended by representatives of the EU member countries and the EU Science, Technology and Innovation Policy Officer in Brazil, as well as representatives from public and private education and research institutions in the Greater Vitória Metropolitan Region.

Press Information:
Fapes Communications Office
Samantha Nepomuceno | Igor Gonçalves
+55 (27) 3636-1867 | +55 (27) 3636-1858
comunicacao@fapes.es.gov.br