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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. -
Brochure, flyer, fact-sheetWater-Energy-Food-Ecosystem (WEFE) Nexus to increase food systems' resilience to climate change and conflict's cascading effects in the Mediterranean region
Webinar outcomes
2022Also available in:
During this webinar, organized by the SFS-MED Platform and held on 6 July 2022, stakeholders from across the Mediterranean shared practical experiences of their engagement in adopting WEFE Nexus solutions and demonstrate the more comprehensive socio-economic benefits of their proposed practices on the food system at large, going beyond a fragmented system of sectors and players. Tackling the WEFE Nexus approaches from diverse angles of the Mediterranean food systems, they shared case studies and tangible examples of WEFE Nexus technical solutions applied in the Mediterranean region, reflecting on success factors and challenges, and discussing ways to facilitate replication and upscaling solutions across the Mediterranean, and influence policy change. The discussion was instrumental in demonstrating how the WEFE Nexus could represent a paradigm shift in the international development agenda, moving from disjointed sectoral development interventions to a more integrated resource management and sustainable use. There is a need for transformation towards sustainable food systems that embrace a WEFE nexus approach to promote peace, recovery and resilience, characterized by interdisciplinary research and knowledge sharing, to be applied in practice through multi-stakeholder collaboration. Moreover, bridging the nexus knowledge gap requires capacity building and combined action by the scientific community, policymakers and practitioners on the ground, paired with high-level political will supported by a sound governance system. Last, but not least, technological innovation and nature-based solutions spearheaded by the private sector have the potential to democratize data generation and use and to minimize costs for the sustainable management and restoration of natural resources. For this to happen, there is a need for financial innovation in de-risking and investment mechanisms that target innovative agri-food businesses and incentivize WEFE nexus solutions. -
Brochure, flyer, fact-sheetConsumers and Mediterranean diet: towards food systems transformation
Webinar outcomes, 26 January 2023
2023Also available in:
During this webinar, organized by the SFS-MED Platform and held on 26 January 2023, stakeholders from across the Mediterranean shared experiences and successful cases from the consumer perspective, including on transparent information and consumer education and innovative pathways for sustainable public procurement. Panelists and speakers highlighted how consumers should be at the center of all elements of the food system, from food research to food production and procurement, as well as food industry, environments and marketing. The discussion was instrumental in demonstrating that empowering consumers to make informed food choices is key to enabling the transformation of Mediterranean food systems. In this context, the Mediterranean diet can be a strategic resource for driving transformative change, with its environmental, social, cultural, health and economic benefits. Education for sustainable consumption enables individuals and social groups to become actors of change by providing knowledge, values and skills to make environmentally friendly, ethically sound, and responsible decisions as consumers. Moreover, involving consumers in research and innovation processes (consumer-driven data) is needed to better understand their needs and preferences. Finally, targeted policy frameworks and multi-stakeholder partnerships can leverage public food procurement schemes to promote the Mediterranean diet, while supporting local economies and environmental sustainability.
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