From April 28 to 30, 2025, over 70 participants representing 47 partner organisations from 20 EU and non-EU countries gathered in Porto (Portugal) for the WATSON General Assembly.
The three-day meeting was hosted by INESC TEC and coordinated by University College Dublin (UCD), bringing together researchers, innovators and stakeholders to review progress and chart next steps for our project.
Day 1: a blackout, a breakthrough
The WATSON General Assembly kicked off under truly extraordinary circumstances: a historic power outage affected much of Portugal, as well as parts of Spain and southern France, leaving the venue without electricity or internet for the entire first day!
But rather than halt the meeting, this unexpected event demonstrated the consortium’s adaptability and resilience.
Thanks to the quick thinking and collaboration of the hosting team at INESC TEC, the meeting continued in an entirely offline format. Presentations were still delivered using slides, thanks to a battery-powered projector, while all discussions took place face-to-face due to the fully in-person format of the meeting.
Collaboration carried on smoothly – driven not by digital tools, but by human problem-solving, flexibility and strong team spirit!
The day ended with a candlelit group dinner that added a touch of charm and humour to the situation.
Day 2: back to business
With power restored on the second day, the meeting resumed in full.
Project partners presented updates on technical developments, pilot site activities, stakeholder engagement, communication efforts and upcoming deliverables.
The day also marked the start of preparations for the WATSON mini-series, with our media partner Euronews joining to discuss initial concepts and filming schedules.
Day 3: in the field at the WATSON wine pilot
The final day of the General Assembly featured a field visit to the WATSON wine pilot site at the renowned vineyard Quinta do Seixo – Sandeman Winery & Vineyards.
Organised by project stakeholder Sogrape, the visit gave participants a close-up look at some of the technological innovations being implemented as part of WATSON’s traceability solutions for the wine sector.
The INESC TEC team provided insights into the tools and systems developed to enhance authenticity, transparency and data management across the Portuguese wine supply chain.
As the project enters its final phase, the consortium is now preparing for WATSON’s Final Conference, scheduled to take place in November 2025 in Brussels – stay tuned!
The General Assembly in Porto served as a powerful reminder of WATSON’s collaborative strength.
Even in the face of unexpected challenges, the consortium demonstrated flexibility, dedication and a shared vision for innovation in food traceability and authenticity.
With strong momentum and even stronger partnerships, the WATSON project is on track to deliver real impact for consumers, producers and food systems across Europe!