This WP comprises the activities addressing the management of both the project and the consortium. IRTA, as project coordinator, will lead WP1 and will be assisted by the Steering Committee to monitor the overall run and any deviations of the scientific and technological activities. This WP comprises also the follow-up and tracking of the financial resources used by the consortium members, as well as the monitoring of the flow of the financing provided by the EC to the consortium. The Coordinator will promote a continuous dialogue between the different partners and guarantee a reliable flow of information between the Consortium and PRIMA. All partners will be fully informed on the progression of the project activities, the organization of meetings, on the main results and on the funding breakdown, as well as receiving a copy of all relevant reports and communications between the Coordinator and PRIMA.

The main goal of WP2 is to improve the efficiency and hygiene of camel milk production systems to get them closer to EU standards in order to make long-lasting camel sector in line with Mediterranean values and heritage. Four farms from four different countries of the Mediterranean basin will be used as case studies. However, improvements are expected to be extrapolated to other similar farms.

The main goal of WP3 is to adapt the already existing dairy processing technologies to the special characteristics and requirements of the camel milk to obtain high quality, healthy and safe camel dairy product. This will be achieved by the following specific activities:

• i)     Adapt dairy processing technologies to camel milk characteristics
• ii)    Test and produce innovative pasteurized milk, fermented products and cheese at pilot plant scale
• iii)   Carry out quality control test (physic-chemical, microbiological, sensorial and shelf-life)

The main goal of WP4 is to demonstrate the technical feasibility to produce camel dairy products (pasteurized milk, fermented products and cheese) at industrial level. This will be achieved by the following specific objectives:

• i)     The scale-up and adaptation of the processes established at pilot plant level in WP3
• ii)    The validation and demonstration of the processes at industrial level

From camel to table, the legal analysis will follow all the steps of the production, packaging and sale of camel milk, preventing possible hazards and, through special attention to traceability, minimizing potential risks and future costs. With an analytical method, every phase of the supply chain will be covered, with the aim of accelerating the procedural aspects, facilitating the process and ensuring a full legal compliance along the value chain of camel milk. International trade law, EU law and national law, all will be carefully considered. A comparative approach, in particular with regard to contractual regulations in the milk and milk products sectors, will allow a better understanding of potential European markets.

The WP6 aims at analysing and suggesting improvements to strengthen the camel milk value chain and interactions between actors. A preliminary understanding of the sector organization is needed. This includes the different actors from milk production to consumer availability of processed products, main geographical area of production and processing, distributors, technical, economic and environmental constraints and challenges, etc. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the camel milk chains will be identified and the 10 key levers to improve interactions between actors will be determined.

Under this WP all needed alignments with the processors, producers, market and consumer need will be performed to identify the best business models and market implementation. In order to prepare tools for market exploitation the following steps are proposed:

• (i)     Analyse the existing market implementation strategies and business models,
• (ii)    Defining the most convenient market strategy for CAMELMILK industrial partners,
• (iii)   Defining 3 best business models
• (iv)   Developing exploitation plans

A thorough understanding of current consumer views of camel milk and its products will form the basis of this WP, informing the qualitative study (focus groups) across all relevant CAMELMILK regions. These will explore consumer reactions towards camel milk, their perceptions but also their concern. Based on these exploratory insights, a quantitative study will be conducted in order to quantify the qualitative findings and identify suitable target segments for early market adoption of new camel milk products. The WP will conclude with the development of appropriate communication messages focussing on the benefits and advantages of CAMELMILK products, which are relevant to consumers, and consumer acceptance test.

The WP will develop a global strategy to disseminate and communicate the objectives and outcomes of the project to the scientific community and stakeholders (Agro-Food and Technological Institutions, producers and retailers, technology suppliers, EU and non-EU consumer organizations). Activities will be structured on the creation of a project website and on a large number of communication initiatives to involve both the scientific community and relevant stakeholders.