Risk Assessment Training Programme from A to Z for IPA Beneficiaries

Abstract Within the framework of the Action “Preparatory measures for the participation of IPA beneficiaries in the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) 2023 – 2026” financed by the European Commission, EFSA and the contractor of the Technical University of Denmark – National Food Institute organised a series of three workshops under the Risk Assessment Training Programme from A to Z for IPA Beneficiaries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Türkiye). Building capacity on risk assessment for food and feed safety is essential for EU accession preparation. The training consisted of three sequential two‐day workshops held in Belgrade, Podgorica, and Skopje and focused on microbiological and chemical risk assessment. It employed an active learning approach, combining case‐based exercises with tailored presentations. Workshop 1 covered hazard identification and characterisation; Workshop 2 addressed exposure assessment and risk characterisation; and Workshop 3 focused on data quality, uncertainty, and specialised risk assessment applications. All participants who completed the three workshops achieved the programme's learning objectives and passed an individual written examination at the end of the final workshop. Post‐training evaluations indicated high participant satisfaction with the programme content and delivery methodology.