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Brochure, flyer, fact-sheetLinking agrifood SMEs to innovation for sustainable food systems: the role of multi-stakeholder approaches
Webinar outcomes
2023Also available in:
During this webinar, organized by the SFS-MED Platform and held on 13 October 2022, stakeholders from across the Mediterranean shared practical experiences of university-business cooperation, successful cases of innovation adoption and transfer, innovative pathways of capacity development, as well as provocative thoughts from investors and farmers. Panelists and speakers discussed about the needs and challenges that agrifood SMEs and farmers are experiencing in linking with innovation, and investigated possible pathways for transformation, leveraging the added value of multi-stakeholder approaches to promote the uptake of innovation. Moreover, the webinar allowed strengthening collaboration among the different partners and stakeholders shaping the agrifood ecosystem, that are essential to enable SMEs and farmers with solutions, tools and best practices. The discussion was instrumental in demonstrating that linking agrifood SMEs to innovation is key for a sustainable future of the Mediterranean food systems, where SMEs and small-scale producers are empowered as economic actors and agents of change for a blue, green and circular food system transition. There is a need for an interactive innovation ecosystem based on a multi-stakeholder collaboration process that is open and inclusive, where new technologies and organizational processes are co-designed by all food systems actors. To this effect, science diplomacy is a powerful tool to ensure that scientific knowledge is effectively shared and adequately translated to be used by non-scientific stakeholders, leveraging co-creation and win-win solutions through alliances that engage all shores of the Mediterranean on a level-playing field. Moreover, innovative capacity building and training programmes are instrumental in developing the human capital necessary to address skills mismatch between graduates and employment demand from the agri-business sector, enhancing the innovation chain through new professional profiles. Finally, sustainable finance and new financial mechanisms can be unlocked to enhance SME access to affordable innovation and technology. Business incubators and accelerators promote a change of mindset that can lead SMEs to embrace innovation by adopting new business models, matchmaking innovators and co-founders, and inspiring ideas. -
Policy briefResearch capacity for sustainable agrifood systems in the context of the Agricultural Innovation Systems: Insights from Malawi’s multistakeholder policy dialogues
Policy brief
2024Also available in:
No results found.The research function is crucial for developing, testing, and adapting novel solutions for transforming agri-food systems in the region. Yet a study conducted on Malawi’s Agricultural Innovation System (AIS) revealed that the key actors in the system lacked capacity to facilitate and or engage in the research function effectively. To address this constraint, a policy dialogue informed by multi-level and multi-stakeholder approach was facilitated to identify obstacles and propose practical solutions. The Identified key obstacles to agricultural research in promoting innovation were: poor networking, insufficient skills to mobilize resources, absence of knowledge management and communication strategy, weak governance mechanisms, as well as use of an underdeveloped monitoring, evaluation and learning system. This brief includes policy recommendations to strengthen the research function within the AIS framework in Malawi. -
MeetingAgrifood Innovation Finance Debate: How to mobilize capital for innovations transforming agrifood systems in Africa and Asia? 22 November 2023, 11:00-12:45
SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme
2023Also available in:
No results found.The Agrifood Innovation Finance Debate is a participatory online event offering a platform for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and investors to discuss critical current challenges in financing innovations that have the potential to transform agrifood systems across Africa and Asia. The debate is part of the SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme, an instrument designed to help agrifood system start-ups develop their businesses while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Programme is an initiative by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), supported by SEED. The dabate will take place 22 November 2023, 11:00-12:15 (CET/GMT+1)
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