The INCiTiS-FOOD project receives 6 million euros from the EU for creating
best- fit agri-food technologies in African cities and towns
Bringing together 24 partners across 14 countries in Europe and Africa, the INCiTiS-FOOD aims to improve food and nutrition security in African city regions, develop sustainable food systems and reduce the environmental footprint. To achieve these goals, the project will introduce best- fit agri-food technologies, practices, and novel business models focused on soilless crop farming, recirculating aquaculture systems, and insect farming.
“We will set up 8 Living Labs in 6 African countries. Living labs will be turned into incubators of innovation and their mission will be to improve food and nutrition security in African city regions. Since current African food systems are experiencing severe challenges in delivering desired outcomes and a quarter of those who inhabit African cities remain food insecure and malnourished, we need to redefine and modernize the production. There are different methods to prevent food instability: availability of nutritious and safe food through local production, food access – affordability, food utilization, reduction of food waste, and food stability at all times.”
Prof. Dr Gertrud Buchenrieder, Universität der Bundeswehr München – project coordinator
The project will also empower communities through the Open Calls funding, led by the Foodscale Hub, organization experienced in running large-scale international acceleration programs. One million euros will be given to 8 external Local Innovation Hubs (both from countries that participate in the INCiTiS-FOOD project and beyond) and 24 Independent Innovators from 6 countries from 3 African regions (East: Kenya; West: Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone; Central: Cameroon, Gabon) as financial support from the InCiTiS-FOOD project. Beneficiaries of the Cascade Fund will be surveyed to generate empirical evidence on the co-benefits of the INCiTiS-FOOD project technologies and business models, which will guide urban food policy roadmaps.
The project will have a larger societal impact by gathering Universities, NGOs, SMEs, banking intermediaries and many more in a joint mission to create viable practices, inclusive jobs, sustainable income and healthy environment for humans and animals.
