Kick-off symposium
22.11.2024
On 21 November 2024, we officially launched the MEDIATE project at a kick-off symposium in Leuven.
On 21 November 2024, the MEDIATE project was officially launched at a symposium in Leuven, attended by around 100 participants from 70 organisations. The event explored the crucial role of intermediaries in shaping and improving reporting and due diligence processes in an ever-changing regulatory landscape.
The symposium included panel discussions with representatives from smallholder farmers, SMEs, private sector intermediaries, civil society and sustainability certification groups. Key discussions highlighted the challenges and opportunities in sustainability reporting, the implications of mandatory legislation and the need for effective collaboration and trust-building between sectors.
The main conclusions emphasised that legislation should enable meaningful action, address uncertainty, promote cooperation and prioritise inclusiveness. The symposium underlined the importance of intermediaries in bridging the gap between policy and practice, especially for vulnerable groups.
The event marks the beginning of a multi-year effort to further deepen these conversations, with thematic sessions planned for 2025.