EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), in collaboration with the Croatian Agency for Agriculture and Food (HAPIH), organized the "Autumn School of Risk Assessment" (“Capacity Building of Early to Mid-career Professionals in Plant Health and Chemical Risk Assessment from IPA beneficiaries”) which took place in Osijek from November 5 to 7, 2024.

Dr. Vera Krimer Malešević and Ana Tjapkin from the Directorate for National Reference Laboratories attended the school, representing the Laboratory for Physicochemical Testing of Food and Animal Feed.

During this interactive event, participants were introduced to EFSA's mission and role, as well as its resources available to countries benefiting from the EU Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). The school was organized as a combination of presentations and practical work, where all participants took part in risk assessment calculation exercises and engaged in "role-play" communication exercises in simulated crisis situations in the field of food safety.

In addition to gaining valuable insights crucial for future work, a large number of new contacts were made with experts from related institutions in countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey.