On 1 February 2025, the B-Trust project held a co-creation session on biostimulants and bacteriophages in Belgium. The session aimed to explore public perspectives on these alternatives to pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, and antibiotics as part of a broader conversation on sustainable agricultural practices.

A total of 13 participants attended the session, representing a balanced mix of ages and genders. Some participants from previous cell factories and climate resilient crops sessions were also invited to see if their views on biotechnology had shifted. Most participants described themselves as «adventurous eaters» and were fairly open to biotechnology, which contributed to a constructive and engaged atmosphere.

The session began with an association exercise to gauge the participants’ baseline knowledge of the topic. The results indicated a relatively high level of awareness and openness toward biotechnology. The nature of the topic—focused on alternatives to widely unpopular agricultural practices like pesticides and antibiotics—helped create a less polarised discussion compared to previous sessions.

Following this, participants explored the challenges facing current food production methods and discussed how biostimulants and bacteriophages could offer more sustainable solutions. The conversation was lively, with participants raising thoughtful questions about the potential impact and limitations of these technologies.

The session closed with a discussion on the risks and benefits of biostimulants and bacteriophages, which led to constructive and insightful exchanges. A short Mentimeter survey was conducted at the end to assess any changes in knowledge and perceptions. A follow-up survey was sent a few days later to evaluate information retention and evolving views on the topic.

📢 Stay tuned for more updates on the B-Trust co-creation process and upcoming workshops!

This project is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme 2021-2027.