ESF project on digital traceability in Suriname awarded grant for innovation
Recognizing the pivotal importance of innovation as a driving force for achieving a world free from hunger and malnutrition, the FAO Office of Innovation has awarded funding to eight exceptional proposals under its pioneering new incubation scheme, “ELEVATE”.[1]
This initiative assists promising innovations moving into a portfolio of solutions, by empowering teams through experiential learning, fit-for-purpose innovation methods and tools, and kick-starting innovation journeys.
The selected project, proposed by the Agrifood Systems and Food Safety division (ESF) as a contribution to the Agrifood Systems Transformation Accelerator (ASTA) programme, seeks to develop a digital traceability platform to support indigenous pineapple farmers in Suriname.
Selected among hundreds of submissions, this project received a grant of USD 110 000 and was invited to participate in the ELEVATE 2024 Bootcamp at FAO headquarters in Rome from 3 to 5 April 2024. During this intensive three-day training in innovation and entrepreneurship, the ESF team who led the project proposal developed skills and knowledge, explored new frameworks to validate its idea and service delivery model, and improved the development and testing of the proposed innovation. At the end of the Bootcamp, the team pitched its project to the panel of experts from UN agencies and the private sector for the 2024 cohort selection.
“The bootcamp equipped me with the tools to really be able to develop a project proposal that is sound and catchy” said Margherita Bavagnoli, Agrifood Systems Finance and Investments Specialist at ESF.
Innovations, including social, policy, institutional, financial, and technological innovations that are science and evidence-based, play a critical role in transforming agrifood systems. By harnessing innovative approaches and leveraging resources, the selected projects are poised to drive positive change and contribute significantly to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Other key projects selected for the Bootcamp include: moringa-based pellet formulation in Ethiopia, solar-powered ATMs enhancing milk nutrient quality in Tanzania and protecting endangered native medicinal & aromatic plants in Jordan. These interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary projects bring together teams from decentralized offices in all FAO regions, as well as technical divisions, reflecting a truly global collaborative effort.
Watch the video of the event to see these innovative pitches in action!