As INCiTiS-FOOD continues to grow through collaboration and innovation, we’re excited to share highlights from the past few months – including impactful events, new synergies, and inspiring voices from the field.
3rd General Assembley of the INCiTiS-FOOD project
The General Assembly of INCiTiS-FOOD, held from March 31st to April 4th, 2025, at the Université des Sciences et Techniques de Masuku (USTM) in Franceville, Gabon, marked another key moment for the project. Project partners from Africa and Europe gathered to reflect on the progress achieved so far, define the next steps, and explore how we can collectively contribute to their successful implementation. As the project enters its third year, discussions also focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Living Labs – an important aspect of INCiTiS-FOOD’s mission.
The central theme of the five-day General Assembly was a series of collaborative paper-writing workshops. Topics included circularity indicators, sustainable food systems, simplified hydroponics, aquaponics, methodological approaches to integrating faecal indicator data, antibiotic resistance, the adoption and commercialisation of insect-based fish feed, and many more.
In addition to the writing sessions, partners participated in a series of capacity-building workshops focused on practical skills and strategic planning. These included training on cost-benefit analysis and business model development for aquaponics systems, guidance on applying the Business Model Canvas in the context of Living Labs, and sessions on gender and social inclusion, particularly in relation to digital market linkages.
Forward-looking discussions explored how to secure future funding, assess project risks using SWOT analysis, and ensure long-term impact through Memorandums of Understanding and Letters of Intent.
It was a productive and energising week that highlighted the potential of collective action and knowledge sharing. Partners used the opportunity to align on key priorities and next steps, with discussions centred on enhancing scientific collaboration, formalising partnerships through agreements, and identifying opportunities to sustain activities beyond the project’s duration.
INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call: Webinar Recap and Next Steps for Local Innovation Hubs
The INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call for Local Innovation Hubs was officially closed on 20 March 2025. Leading up to the deadline, applicants could access detailed information through our dedicated Open Call webpage, a targeted social media campaign, and a webinar titled INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call: Opportunities Await, hosted by the project team.
Although the call is now closed, the webinar remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in how INCiTiS-FOOD supports innovation in sustainable food systems. Viewers can gain insights into the project’s objectives, the role of our eight Living Labs across Africa and Europe, and the technologies being implemented – highlighted through a case example of the University of Ibadan’s Living Lab.
In addition, the session provides a clear overview of the application and selection process, which may be especially useful for those planning to apply to our second Open Call, scheduled for summer 2025. This upcoming call will differ from the first one, as it will target 24 independent innovators from cities and towns hosting INCiTiS-FOOD Living Labs, but it may be interesting and beneficial to get fimiliar with some apsects.
At the moment, the evaluation process for the first INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call for Local Innovation Hubs is underway. The results will be announced soon, with contract agreements expected to be signed with the winners in May 2025. Stay tuned for updates and find out whether your consortium is among the selected winners.
INCiTiS-FOOD in Action: Highlights from Events and Visits
- In January, our partner Njala University in Sierra Leone had the pleasure of welcoming students from the University of Illinois and their professor. During the visit, they explored the innovative solutions and sustainable practices we’re cultivating in Sierra Leone Living Lab. Exchanges like these highlight the value of collaboration and shared learning in advancing sustainable agri-food systems worldwide.
- Living Lab at the University for Development Studies (UDS) had the pleasure of hosting visitors from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine (USA) along with staff from UDS’s Department of Environmental Sciences in January this year. Their visit provided an opportunity to exchange knowledge and explore shared interests in environmental sustainability and food systems. Engaging with diverse experts helps expand perspectives and enrich ongoing work in our Living Labs.
- On 6 March 2025, Mladen Radisic (Foodscale Hub) and Gertrud Buchenrieder (Bundeswehr University Munich) participated in the “FOOD 2030 and Beyond: Competitive, Sustainable, and Resilient Food Systems” workshop in Brussels, hosted by the European Commission’s DG Start-ups, Research, & Innovation. The INCiTiS-FOOD was showcased at this event that gathered key policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss EU policy priorities, innovation gaps, and the future of sustainable food systems.
- In March, INCiTiS-FOOD was represented at the Green Agric West Africa Expo in Lagos, Nigeria. This event brings together stakeholders to explore the latest innovations in sustainable agriculture across the region. Our project was represented by the Aglobe Development Center and the University of Ibadan Living Lab, where the teams showcased a mini aquaponics prototype. Their booth received a special visit from representatives of the Minister of Agriculture!
- On 17 March, INCiTiS-FOOD took part in the WTO workshop on Article 66.2 of the TRIPS Agreement. Our partner Dr. Olapade Olufemi Julius from Njala University, and our co-cordinator Dr. Emmanuel Benjamin, discussed our project’s innovative solutions and their role in technology transfer.
Women of INCiTiS-FOOD: Shaping the Future of Food and Science
In February and March, INCiTiS-FOOD joined the global celebrations of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and International Women’s Day. To mark these important occasions, we interviewed inspiring women involved in the INCiTiS-FOOD project and shared their stories in a two-part blog series on our website.
In their own words, these women reflected on what it means to be a woman working in science today – sharing their experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future. Their stories also highlight the role of projects like INCiTiS-FOOD in promoting inclusivity and collaboration. Through our Living Labs and multi-actor approach, the project actively supports the empowerment of women and youth.
By spotlighting these dedicated female scientists, INCiTiS-FOOD hopes to inspire the next generation of girls to pursue careers in STEM. To learn more about their journeys and insights, be sure to read our latest blog posts (part 1 and part 2) and get inspired by their stories!
Growing Together: New Synergies for Africa’s Food Future
In recent months, INCiTiS-FOOD established two new synergies – one with the Global Food Garden (GFG) organisation and another with the EU-funded FCI4Africa project. Through these partnerships, we aim to foster collaboration in building sustainable, fair, and healthy food systems across urban and peri-urban areas in Africa.
By joining forces, we open up new opportunities for joint activities, training programmes, and knowledge exchange. Together, we strive to strengthen food and nutrition security and support the long-term resilience of Africa’s food systems.
To further support collaboration, we are excited to announce an upcoming webinar titled Addressing Food and Nutrition Security: A Knowledge Exchange Session on Living Labs & Aquaponics Practices. Scheduled for 26th May 2025 at 11 am WAT, the session will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences between two EU-funded projects – PrAEctiCe and INCiTiS-FOOD. Speakers will share success stories, challenges, and lessons learned from their work in Living Labs and Aquaponics practices.
The webinar will be hosted on Zoom, and it will be available later on our YouTube channel. We encourage everyone to subscribe to our YouTube channel and watch the webinar once it is online.
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