As part of the preparation for the national research activities within the SMART-FOOD project, Dunav 1245 carried out a structured process of identifying and selecting relevant stakeholders in Serbia who could contribute to the survey through their professional knowledge, institutional role and practical experience.
The selection process was guided by the project objectives and by the need to ensure that the national survey reflects different parts of the food system rather than the views of a single stakeholder group. Particular attention was therefore given to achieving a balanced representation of actors involved in food production, processing, control, research, distribution, retail, consumer protection and public health.
The stakeholder mapping included representatives of relevant public authorities and regulatory bodies, veterinary and phytosanitary services, national and specialised laboratories, universities and research institutes, agricultural advisory services, producer organisations and cooperatives, certification and inspection bodies, food-processing companies, logistics and supply-chain actors, retail chains, consumer organisations and public-health institutions.
Within the private sector, the selection covered different branches of the agri-food system, including dairy production, meat processing, frozen food, fruit and vegetable processing, cereals and oilseeds, soybean processing, food manufacturing and retail. This approach was intended to provide insights into different stages of the food chain, from primary production and raw-material procurement to processing, quality control, storage, distribution and access to food at consumer level.
A specific invitation was prepared for each type of stakeholder, explaining the purpose of the SMART-FOOD survey and why the expertise of the respective organisation or professional group was relevant. Wherever possible, invitations were addressed directly to responsible experts or managers, while umbrella organisations and professional networks were also asked to circulate the survey among their members and relevant contacts.
The aim of this preparatory work was not only to reach the planned number of respondents, but also to ensure a diverse and professionally relevant national sample. The responses collected through the survey will provide the basis for the subsequent focus groups, qualitative validation of findings, national analysis, final recommendations and the development of the project’s framework of good practices.
