The Protein Project

The Protein Project is a Europe-focused food systems initiative that works to diversify how proteins are produced and consumed, with an emphasis on practical collaboration rather than polarization. It brings together farmers, food companies, civil society, policymakers, and researchers to develop solutions that can improve economic resilience, farmer prosperity, public health, animal welfare, environmental outcomes, and strategic autonomy. The organisation’s work centers on three main activities: co-creating value-chain roadmaps for promising protein sectors, producing and coordinating research that informs policy and market decisions, and creating neutral forums that help depolarise policy debates in the European Parliament and Council. What the company does The Protein Project develops actionable policy recommendations and sector roadmaps for protein diversification across animal, plant, and novel protein sources. Its publications show a strong focus on protein crops such as fava beans, fermentation-derived proteins, and ingredient innovation, with an eye toward making Europe’s food system more resilient, competitive, just, and sustainable. The organisation explicitly aims to turn contentious food debates into constructive, cross-sector collaboration and to identify win-win pathways that are economically viable for all participants. Team The team is compact and mission-driven. It includes co-founders Katrien Martens and Marin Vandamme, Project Lead Manon Schots, and Fellow Jasper Zwinkels. Their backgrounds span bioscience, consulting, agri-strategy, food science, value-chain work, and systems thinking, which supports the organisation’s blend of policy, research, and coalition-building. The team’s profiles suggest a collaborative culture that values pragmatism, nuance, and bridging different perspectives across Europe’s food ecosystem. Mission and values The Protein Project’s mission is to unite Europe’s food voices to seize the opportunity of protein diversification. It emphasizes consensus-building, practical action, and evidence-based solutions that avoid framing important goals as trade-offs. The organisation values resilience, competitiveness, fairness, sustainability, and openness to diverse protein pathways, including plant-based and novel options. It also highlights the importance of public and planetary health, farmer livelihoods, and economic viability in shaping a future food system that works for all.