Ensuring food and nutritional security in a context of climate change, scarcity of resources and socio-economic crises, is one of the major challenges for Mediterranean societies. Although it is often connected to production, innovation in agrifood systems can also address societal issues that are no less important. Changes in consumption patterns, social practices such as multi-stakeholder dialogue, co-construction of projects and digitization of knowledge-sharing, are also conducive to innovative practices and solutions to overcome challenges in Mediterranean Agrifood systems.
If CIHEAM has rewarded (and will continue to do so) the quality of the scientific work of its young researchers, now it is time to recognize and reward the innovative, disruptive and audacious nature of a project designed and led by a current or former CIHEAM student, contributing to more sustainable, inclusive and equitable Mediterranean food systems.
In 2022, CIHEAM is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the aim of projecting the organization into the Mediterranean of tomorrow, responding to emerging challenges and mobilizing young people. This special year is the ideal time to inaugurate this award for innovations developed by young people and give them greater visibility.
The CIHEAM Strategic Agenda (CAPMED 2025)
In line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), the CIHEAM Member States have adopted the CIHEAM Action Plan for the Mediterranean (CAPMED 2025) that identifies the missions of the Organization revolving around the 4 domains represented in the figure below:
Criteria
The CIHEAM Youth Innovation Award will reward an initiative contributing to more sustainable, equitable and inclusive food systems, falling within the CAPMED themes, including innovations in production and in food security, innovations in the implementation of sustainable practices or innovations contributing to the empowerment of local communities. Equal opportunity and the promotion of diversity are core values of CIHEAM. As such, it encourages both young women and men to participate.
Criteria to apply
- Be a CIHEAM student or graduate
- Be under 40 years
- To be eligible, projects need to be already implemented in a relevant environment and have demonstrated results, at least on a pilot basis
- The Application file must be completed in all its parts
Selection Criteria
The Award will reward a professional, associative or R&D project implemented in the Mediterranean region covering the following criteria:
- Innovative and disruptive project with regard to the existing context and falling within the CAPMED themes (VETO CRITERIA)
- Quantitative and qualitative impact of the innovation
- Sustainability of the project
- Potentiality of the project (scale-up, replication…)
- Overall coherence of the project
The Award
The CIHEAM’s Youth Innovation Award will be both material and promotional. The winner will be awarded 5000 € and receive a CIHEAM Medal and Diploma. The winning project will also be promoted on the different CIHEAM communication platforms and in the events and meetings organized by CIHEAM.
IMPORTANT: The reward paid is intended to support the current project (with a posteriori control)
Opening of the call: 29 July 2022
Closure of the call: 15 September 2022
Announcement of the winner: 4-7 December 2022 (during Medforum 2022 at CIHEAM Chania)
More information: https://www.ciheam.org/agendas/ciheam-youth-innovation-award/
Apply here: https://www.ciheam.org/new-youth-innovative-project/
For any queries, please contact secretariat@ciheam.org