Innovation across the INCiTiS-FOOD network and Living Labs continues to grow as the project enters its final year. Read on to learn more about the successful closure of the second Open Call, Open Days held across six African countries, the launch of the African Network of Living Labs, inter-Living Lab exchanges, and follow-up visits to the winners of the first Open Call. So, read on to discover more about these activities and their impact.
INCiTiS-FOOD Second Open Call Successfully Closed
The second INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call successfully closed on 9 February 2026 at 17:00 CET. The call invited independent innovators, start-ups, and SMEs to propose solutions addressing key challenges identified by the project’s Living Labs. To ensure strong local engagement and impact, eligible applicants were required to be based in the cities hosting the INCiTiS-FOOD Living Labs.
The strong response to the second Open Call reflected in 382 submitted applications which came from across all INCiTiS-FOOD Living Labs, reflecting strong engagement at local level. While Lagos (Nigeria) recorded the highest number of applications, accounting for nearly 40% of submissions, strong participation was also seen in Nairobi (Kenya) with 20.9%, Ibadan (Nigeria) with 12.6%, and Nakuru (Kenya) with 9.9%. Applications were also received from Moyamba (Sierra Leone), Tamale (Ghana), Bamenda (Cameroon), and Franceville (Gabon), demonstrating widespread interest in local innovation across all participating regions.
Through this call, INCiTiS-FOOD will support 24 independent innovators with a total of €60,000 in funding, enabling each Living Lab to select three winners and help bring their ideas closer to implementation.
Stay tuned and follow our website for updates on the selected winners of the second Open Call. In the meantime, visit our website to learn more about the winners of the first INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call.
Open Days: Inspiring Local Innovation
Between late December 2025 and January 2026, a series of Open Days was held across the INCiTiS-FOOD Living Labs in six African countries: Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Cameroon, and Gabon. These events aimed to present the second INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call, clarify its requirements, and bring its opportunities closer to local communities. At the same time, they served as a platform to showcase the work of the Living Labs and to inspire locally driven innovation.
The Open Days gathered a diverse audience of innovators, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders, fostering direct engagement and knowledge exchange. Each session included an interactive question-and-answer segment, which proved especially valuable in addressing applicants’ concerns, clarifying eligibility criteria, and guiding participants through the application process. Overall, the Open Days played an important role in strengthening outreach efforts and supporting potential applicants in preparing competitive proposals.
African Network of Living Labs Launched
The INCiTiS-FOOD Living Labs have recently launched the African Network of Living Labs (ANoLL), a new initiative aimed at fostering stronger collaboration and knowledge exchange across the continent. While the INCiTiS-FOOD Living Labs form the foundation of this network, the long-term vision of ANoLL is to expand beyond the project and bring together Living Labs from across Africa under one collaborative umbrella.
By connecting innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and local communities, ANoLL seeks to enhance cooperation, facilitate the sharing of best practices, and accelerate the development of impactful, locally driven solutions. The network represents an important step toward building a more connected and resilient innovation ecosystem across Africa.
Further updates, opportunities, and developments related to ANoLL will be shared in the coming months. Stakeholders interested in engaging with the network and contributing to this growing community are encouraged to follow its progress on LinkedIn and explore opportunities to get involved.
Living Labs in Action
Across the INCiTiS-FOOD Living Labs, recent activities have continued to foster collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation in sustainable food systems.
- At the University of Ibadan Living Lab, a visit from representatives of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) provided an opportunity to showcase technologies being implemented within the INCiTiS-FOOD project. Discussions focused on their role in advancing sustainable and circular food systems. The visit also included an inter-Living Lab exchange with Dr Emmanuel Benjamin from the Aglobe Development Center, creating valuable space for dialogue among participants and strengthening collaboration across institutions.
- The University of Ibadan Living Lab also welcomed Dr Olapade Olufemi Julius from Njala University Living Lab. During his visit, he explored key ongoing activities, including organic fertilizer trials and the aquaponics unit, while engaging with the Living Lab team. Such exchanges play an important role in sharing experiences, sparking new ideas, and reinforcing connections between Living Labs.
- On 8 April, the University of Ibadan hosted a workshop at its Living Lab within the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries Management, titled “Urban Food Production: Lessons from the INCiTiS-FOOD Project.” The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including university representatives, NGOs, students, farmers, practitioners, SMEs, and entrepreneurs. It provided a platform for knowledge sharing, dialogue, and the presentation of innovative solutions, highlighting the Living Lab’s contribution to building sustainable urban food systems.
- In Cameroon, the Bamenda University of Science and Technology Living Lab took part in the North West Regional celebration of World Water Day in Bamenda. Through its participation, the Living Lab engaged with local stakeholders and communities, contributing to ongoing discussions on water sustainability and its critical role in resilient and productive food systems.
Follow-up Visits to the Winners of the First Open Call
Recent visits to beneficiaries of the first INCiTiS-FOOD Open Call highlighted encouraging progress across the Local Innovation Hubs, showcasing how selected innovators are turning ideas into practical solutions for local food systems.
- In Uganda, INCiTiS-FOOD co-coordinator Benjamin Emmanuel visited one of the winners from the first Black Soldier Fly Innovation Hub. The team is advancing Black Soldier Fly (BSF) production, developing sustainable feed supplements for poultry and pig farming. After successfully completing entrepreneurship training, beneficiaries are now entering the next phase of technical and financial support. The long-term goal is to establish 5–8 large-scale BSF producers by the end of the project, contributing to more resilient and sustainable food systems.
- In Nigeria, our partner from University of Ibadan visited the Open Call winner CiWACIWE, in Ogun State and saw strong early results. During a field visit, ongoing projects such as cucumber and okra cultivation were already showing visible progress, with crops fruiting successfully. These visits reflect the practical impact of the Open Call and the commitment of beneficiaries to transforming local agricultural practices.
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