On September 18, 2024, Working Group 1 (WG1) of the COST PIMENTO network held a meeting at the National Agricultural and Food Centre – Food Research Institute in Bratislava, Slovakia.The session focused on reviewing the progress of internal partnerships, identifying research topic preferences and skills of COST members, and preparing for future funding calls. By mapping expertise and interests within the network, the group aims to foster stronger collaborations and design impactful, interdisciplinary proposals. The meeting marked an important step in aligning research capacities and strategically planning for the next phase of WG1 activities.