Conference “Boosting agrifood research and innovation cooperation for impact at scale”
- When: March 11-13, 2025
- Where: The COMET-Louise. Stefaniaplein 20, Brussels (Belgium)
Recordings and presentations
Day 1
Opening
Setting the scene
Session 3: What is the EU R&I cooperation landscape: policies, partnerships and instruments
Session 4: What have we learned from the DeSIRA regional conferences in Asia, Latin America and Africa
Session 5: How to do research in partnership for innovation to contribute to productive, inclusive and sustainable food system transformation in diverse contexts
- Presentation Aurelie Toillier
- Presentation Annick Sezibera
- Presentation Aristide Sempore
- Presentation Benjamin Rimaud
- Presentation Absa Mbodj
- Presentation Natalia Brzezina
Session 6: R&I to support food system transition based on agroecology, nature-based solutions, regenerative and nutrition sensitive approaches
Day 2
Session 7: How to support innovation at scale for productive, inclusive and sustainable food system transformation and potential contribution of research
- Presentation Guy Faure
- Presentation Boru Douthwaite
- Presentation Elise Juguet
- Presentation Syndhia Mathe
Session 8: Plenary synthesis of the lessons and recommendations
Session 9: High-level panel:
Pathways for future interventions (in support of innovation for productive, green and inclusive food systems transformations in the context of the EU Global Gateway strategy
Session 10: Future R&I EU interventions to support the Global Gateway strategy and the AU-EU Innovation agenda
Day 3
Session 11: Consultation on the update of the AU-EU R&I FNSSA Roadmap
Session 12: Framing of the AU-EU FNSSA International Research Consortium (IRC)
Session 13: Internationalization of EU R&I co-funded partnerships: Challenges and Opportunities
Session 14: Plenary
Session 15: Parallel sessions
- Presentation Baitsi Podisi
- Presentation Thomas Dubois
- Presentation Kwaku Antwi
- Presentation Jim Woodhill
- Presentation Pascale Debord
Session 16: Closing session
Photos
Main outcomes of the conference
The main outcome of this conference is to provide key arguments and recommendations to better efficiency, complementarities and synergies between the several EU instruments (NDICI & Horizon Europe) to support R&I on agrifood systems in LMICs, with the objectives (i) to clarify roles to support “innovation from research outcomes” to “innovation at scale” and “impacts at scale”, and (ii) to better align the EU R&I investments on agrifood systems with the EU Global Gateway strategy and country partners priorities.
Conference objectives
The main conference objectives are to:
- Share results and lessons on the contribution of R&I projects to food systems transformation in LMICs through the experiences of UE interventions and similar other international interventions.
- Identify key enablers and hurdles for innovation at scale for productive, inclusive, and sustainable investments into agrifood systems.
- Explore future contributions of R&I for agrifood systems transformation, innovation system strengthening and innovation policies in support of development agendas (SDGs, post Malabo, Science Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa, EU Global Gateway strategy).
- Inform policy makers and provide recommendations on improved complementarity and synergy of EU mechanisms and approaches to support R&I at scale in partner countries, including inputs to the EU-Africa R&I Partnership on FNSSA.
Rationale of the conference
Agrifood systems must evolve to address global challenges like climate change, malnutrition, and inequality. Research and innovation (R&I) drive sustainable transformation, emphasizing agroecological approaches, partnerships, and policy support. The EU’s DeSIRA initiative promotes inclusive solutions in low- and middle-income countries, spotlighting Africa.
DeSIRA-LIFT Synthesis Brief (4-pages)
Contacts
- DeSIRA-LIFT: helena.posthumus@wur.nl
- DG INTPA F3: christophe.larose@ec.europa.eu; guy.faure@ec.europa.eu