Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge with USD 5,000 Grant from Eatgrowsave

The Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge is seeking innovators driven by a passion for solving challenges in the agri-food sector by utilizing or conserving agrobiodiversity. As part of the 2nd International Agrobiodiversity Congress, November 15-18, 2021, in Rome, the Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge will recognize new products, services, and best practices that can help farmers, consumers, and food companies increase production effectiveness, competitiveness, and resilience while conserving agrobiodiversity. 

Challenge Purpose:-

Solutions should have the potential to:

• Boost food production, consumption, and nutritional security.
• Promote women’s engagement, entrepreneurship, as well as youth-led exercises.
• Promote Public-Private-Partnerships to link formal and informal sectors for sustainable intensification leading to livelihood and environmental benefits.
• Accelerate rural adoption using mobile applications that boost nature-based solutions to improve sustainability, profits for growers, and consumer health.
• Leverage technological innovations with biodiversity-sensitive potential for producers, their communities, and consumers.
• Close the gap between breeding outcomes and commercial delivery of quality certified seeds to farmers.

• Two grants of USD 5,000 to each of the top two innovators based on level of excellence and innovation.
• In addition to increased visibility, recognition, and networking opportunities with leading industry players, investors, and scientific experts, 10 shortlisted candidates will receive a place on the Congress website and an invitation to participate in the Virtual Pitch Day Competition on Monday, November 15th. 
• Following the Pitch Day Competition, selected winners will be awarded cash prizes, mentoring and training, partnerships, scientific and technology guidance, or tuition for a master’s program.

• Applicants must be responsible for an innovation with a demonstrated efficiency using novel tools and methodologies, products, or services to enhance and promote sustainable food and agriculture. 
• Applicants can be: Individual innovators (e.g., farmers, processors, engineers, etc.), Startups, International Organizations (IOs), National Agriculture Research System (NARS), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Private Companies, Universities.
• Innovations should be able to show a proof of concept or minimum-viable-product (MVP) of a product or service (technology, methodology, practice) that uses agrobiodiversity for the transformation and sustainability of food systems.
• All innovations must apply to agrobiodiversity conservation and consumption practices and should aim to include climate change adaptation measures. Application forms that are incomplete, do not comply with the terms and conditions specified in the call, or are submitted after the deadline, will not be considered.
• No applicants under the age of 18 will be considered for the Award unless represented by a parent or legal guardian. 
• Participation is free of charge. 
• Applicants can only submit original works for which they are the sole inventors and copyright holders. In the case of a group of co-founders, the names and ages of all authors must be listed in the application form and will be considered as a single application.
• Preference will be given to applications by teams that have developed solutions to address the needs of the rural poor and/or communities in fragile and conflict-affected states or heavily affected by the aftermath of COVID-19. 

About the Agrobiodiversity Congress:-

The Agrobiodiversity Congress is an inclusive, interactive, and action-oriented event, creating a platform to foster dialogue and identify solutions to transform food systems through the use and conservation of agrobiodiversity. This four-day virtual and interactive Congress brings together scientists, practitioners, Indigenous Peoples, development organizations, and policymakers to share and advance scientific research, nature-positive solutions, policies, and practices.

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