Privacy policy GDPR

Last updated: 17.01.2026

This Privacy Policy explains how personal data are collected, used, stored, and protected when you visit the FUSE project website (the “Website”) or interact with its services, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR) and applicable national data protection laws.

1. Data Controller

The data controller responsible for processing your personal data is:

FUSE – Food Unity and Skills Empowerment Project
(Project co-funded by the European Union under ESF+ Social Innovation)
Email: contact@project-fuse.eu

Where relevant, partner organisations of the FUSE consortium may act as joint controllers or data processors for specific processing activities (e.g. newsletter distribution, event registrations), always in line with GDPR requirements.

2. Scope of This Policy

This Policy applies to personal data collected through:

  • Browsing and using the Website

  • Subscribing to the FUSE newsletter

  • Contact forms and email communication

  • Event registrations and dissemination activities

  • Cookies and analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics)

3. Legal Basis for Processing

We process personal data only where a valid legal basis exists, in accordance with Article 6 GDPR:

  • Consent – e.g. newsletter subscription, non-essential cookies

  • Legitimate interest – e.g. basic website analytics, security, dissemination of project results

  • Legal obligation – e.g. EU reporting, audit and record-keeping obligations linked to ESF+ funding

  • Public interest / task carried out in the public interest – communication and dissemination of an EU-funded social innovation project

4. Categories of Personal Data Processed

Depending on how you interact with the Website, we may process the following categories of data:

4.1 Website usage data

  • IP address (anonymised where possible)

  • Browser type and version

  • Operating system

  • Referrer URL

  • Date and time of access

  • Pages visited and interaction data

4.2 Newsletter and communication data

  • Email address

  • Name (if provided voluntarily)

  • Language or communication preferences

4.3 Contact and event-related data

  • Name and surname

  • Email address

  • Organisation and role (if applicable)

  • Country or region

  • Any information you choose to include in your message or registration

4.4 Media and dissemination data (with explicit consent)

  • Photographs, video or audio recordings

  • Testimonials or quotes

Sensitive personal data (Article 9 GDPR) are not intentionally collected through the Website.

5. Purposes of Processing

Personal data are processed solely for the following purposes:

  • Operation, security and improvement of the Website

  • Measuring reach and impact of communication activities

  • Sending newsletters and project updates

  • Responding to enquiries and requests

  • Managing registrations for events and activities

  • Fulfilling EU communication, dissemination and reporting obligations

  • Demonstrating transparency and accountability of ESF+ funding

Data will never be used for automated decision-making or profiling.

6. Newsletter Subscription

When you subscribe to the FUSE newsletter:

  • Your email address is collected based on explicit consent

  • Double opt-in may be used (where technically implemented)

  • You can unsubscribe at any time via the link included in each newsletter

Newsletter distribution may be managed via a third-party email service provider acting as a data processor under a GDPR-compliant Data Processing Agreement.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

7.1 What are cookies

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help the Website function correctly and provide usage statistics.

7.2 Types of cookies used

Essential cookies
Required for basic Website functionality and security. These cookies do not require consent.

Analytics cookies
Used to understand how visitors interact with the Website (e.g. Google Analytics). These cookies are only activated after your consent.

7.3 Google Analytics

The Website uses Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC. Google Analytics uses cookies to analyse website usage.

  • IP anonymisation is enabled where possible

  • Data may be transferred to servers outside the EU (e.g. the USA) under appropriate safeguards (Standard Contractual Clauses)

You can withdraw your consent at any time via the cookie settings on the Website.

8. Data Sharing and Recipients

Personal data may be shared only with:

  • Authorised FUSE project partners

  • Technical service providers (hosting, analytics, email tools)

  • EU institutions or auditors where required by funding rules

All recipients are bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations. Data are never sold or shared for commercial purposes.

9. Data Retention

Personal data are retained only for as long as necessary:

  • Newsletter data: until you unsubscribe

  • Contact data: up to 3 years after last interaction

  • Analytics data: according to tool configuration (typically 14–26 months)

  • Dissemination materials: for the duration of the project and legally required post-project retention period

After this period, data are securely deleted or anonymised.

10. Data Subject Rights

You have the following rights under GDPR:

  • Right of access (Art. 15)

  • Right to rectification (Art. 16)

  • Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten", Art. 17)

  • Right to restriction of processing (Art. 18)

  • Right to data portability (Art. 20)

  • Right to object (Art. 21)

  • Right to withdraw consent at any time

Requests can be sent to: contact@project-fuse.eu

11. Right to Lodge a Complaint

If you believe your data have been processed unlawfully, you have the right to lodge a complaint with your national Data Protection Authority or the authority of your habitual residence.

12. Data Security

Appropriate technical and organisational measures are implemented to protect personal data, including:

  • HTTPS encryption

  • Access controls and role-based permissions

  • Secure hosting within the EU (where possible)

  • Regular updates and monitoring

13. External Links

The Website may contain links to external websites (e.g. partner organisations, social media platforms). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those websites.

14. Changes to This Policy

This Privacy Policy may be updated to reflect legal, technical or organisational changes. The latest version will always be published on this page.

15. Contact

For any questions related to this Privacy Policy or the processing of personal data, please contact:

Email: contact@project-fuse.eu
Project: FUSE – Food Unity and Skills Empowerment

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