News in Brief:
– FAO announces call for applications for its $10,000 Innovation Award, recognising contributions in areas like digital agriculture, sustainable practices, and novel business models.
– The award is Open to diverse entities and applications are due 1 March 2024.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is calling for applications for its Award for Innovation, offering a $10,000 cash prize and recognition scroll to individuals and institutions making significant contributions across various fields within the agri-food sector. Applications are open until March 1, 2024.
This award encourages innovative solutions that address critical challenges in the agri-food sector, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for all. Specifically, the awards focus on certain key areas of agriculture and agribusiness such as:
- Agri-food systems innovation
- Digital agriculture
- Biotechnology
- Sustainable practices like agroecology
- Novel business models
Furthermore, the organisation intends to achieve specific goals with these innovations. These goals include enhancing effectiveness, competitiveness, resilience, and environmental sustainability in food security, economic growth, and natural resource management.
How to apply for FAO 2024 Innovation Award
Institutions, individuals, international/regional organisations, academic/research entities, civil society organisations, and private sector entities are all eligible to apply for the FAO 2024 Innovation award.
The organisation adds that the innovations can be technological, institutional, social, policy, or financial. However, the selection criteria for winners will prioritise impact on multiple levels of the agricultural supply chain, improved connections between producers and consumers, and more. It will also take into account the environmental, economic and social sustainability of applications and potential for wider application. Another critical factor are the applications’ affordability, scalability, and value for money as well as the level of involvement and impact on youth, women and marginalised groups.
Application Process:
- Nominations by national, regional, or global institutions should be submitted to FAO representatives by 1 March 2024.
- Individuals or institutions must include an endorsement or letter of support from an FAO representative.
- Applications can be submitted electronically or via mail before March 1, 2024, 23:59 CET.
Further details and the application form are available on the FAO website.
