UNIDO ITPO Italy, the Italian Investment and Technology Promotion Office of the United Nations Organization for Industrial Development and the Future Food Institute of Bologna launch the third edition of the International Award “Innovative Ideas and Technologies in Agribusiness”.
The contest aims to select the best technologies and the most innovative and sustainable solutions worldwide applicable to agriculture and agro-industry sectors which could lead to social and economic improvement of Developing Countries: from production to processing and preservation of food, from logistics to consumption, from responsible management of surpluses to the commingling of agriculture, energy and environment.
“The countries we address provide interesting markets opportunities and this award is part of our inclusive and sustainable industrial development strategy”, said Diana Battaggia, head of UNIDO ITPO Italy, an organization that is always committed with technology transfer and Italian investments’ promotion in these specific geographical areas.
Partner for this award edition will be the Future Food Institute of Bologna, which promotes innovation in the field of nutrition. “With UNIDO ITPO Italy we are inaugurating a 2019 that will lead to be engaged globally in projects of study, research, innovation and advocacy on issues of sustainable development”, said Sara Roversi, “with special focus on the effects of food production and our lifestyles on climate change”.
The participation to the contest is open to startups and companies, researchers and universities, research and technology transfer centers, associations and NGOs from all over the world. Applications must be submitted by March 31st, 2019 through the dedicated website: www.unido.it/award2019
The proposals will be evaluated by a jury composed by experts belonging to the agricultural, business and institutional context, representing, among others, the FFI, the CNR – National Research Council and Azimut. “Our choices will be led by the SDGs, the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda, adopted by the United Nations. I firmly believe – said Battaggia, coordinator of the jury – that they are all crucial: missing them would be harmful for the future of our planet and for the whole mankind.”
The awarded categories will be seven: including women, young people under 35 years, new entries focus on the nexus between food, climate change and biodiversity. Furthemore, a special mention will be confer to the project that is potentially more innovative for the future of agribusiness and for developing countries.
UNIDO ITPO Italy will offer a package of services to the winners in order to support the implementation of their proposals. The award ceremony will take place on May 15th 2019 in Rome and it will be a great showcase for the winners. The event will be held during the opening day of EXCO 2019, the first international exhibition of development cooperation, which this year will take place simultaneously with the annual meeting of all the Development Cooperation Agencies of the European Union member States.
