CHIC project

CHIC is an innovative research project funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme, striving to transform root chicory into a valuable multipurpose crop. With a budget of €7.3 million, this four-and-a-half-year initiative unites a consortium of 17 partners across 11 European countries and New Zealand, including research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises, and industrial partners. CHIC focuses on developing New Plant Breeding Techniques (NPBTs), enabling the production of chicory varieties aimed at enhancing the health benefits of dietary fiber and extracting bioactive compounds like terpenes.

By addressing both technological and societal aspects of plant breeding, CHIC endeavors to foster responsible innovation while promoting stakeholder engagement. The project also incorporates an educational component, offering training for students and industry professionals, alongside various outreach efforts to raise public awareness about the implications and potential of modern plant breeding technologies. Through this comprehensive approach, CHIC aims to streamline chicory cultivation for health-related applications, addressing both consumer needs and environmental sustainability.