Archives: Agenda

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:

1. Innovative and disruptive project with regard to the existing context and falling within the CAPMED themes (VETO CRITERIA)
2. Quantitative and qualitative impact of the innovation
3. Sustainability of the project
4. Potentiality of the project (scale-up, replication…)
5. 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

María José Hernández Mendoza, delegate for Spain, took part in the CIHEAM Governing Board meeting on 18 and 19 July held at the Institute of Chania (Greece) for the last time. Her mandate as Counsellor for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Embassy of Spain in Paris draws to a close this month. During her time as delegate she has shown great interest in strengthening governance, developing corporate groups, and improving strategic planning and managerial efficiency. On behalf of us all at CIHEAM Zaragoza we would like to express our gratitude to María José for her interest in the progress of our Institute and wish her every success in her next professional challenge.

The 150th CIHEAM Governing Board Meeting was held in Chania (Greece) from 18 to 19 July 2022, as part of the #CIHEAM60 celebrations and at a time when food insecurity is re-emerging following the recent crises (Covid-19, War in Ukraine, drought…) that aggravate existing difficulties and strongly impact the living conditions of the most vulnerable populations.

A context of emergency that calls for greater solidarity and enhanced cooperation for more sustainable, inclusive and resilient Mediterranean food systems, considered of great importance by all the Member States, and in line with the priorities of the international organizations invited to the meeting (UfM, FAO, OIV, and IOC).

The current situation highlights the importance of scientific diplomacy and Mediterranean cooperation given the necessary agricultural transitions and the need to pool and optimize resources for a greater impact.

Raúl Compés, Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, took part in the Forum on Milk and Dairy Derivatives organized by the Mediterranean Diet Foundation (Fundación Dieta Mediterránea), held in Madrid on 11 and 12 July. The aim of this Forum was to highlight the important role of these products in the Mediterranean Diet, not always as clear as the role played by other products in maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Even though their nutritional properties are well known, some aspects are still controversial, maybe because the messages conveyed to consumers lack a sound scientific and technical basis, and sustainability-related factors are less studied.

The Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza emphasized the need to study the productive models and address aspects of organization and distribution to determine the sustainability of the dairy value chain. Also, given the doubts expressed by the public and consumers about the environmental impact of livestock production, he pointed out the need to encourage working groups in the sector to address these issues specifically, especially regarding climate change. Only in this way will it be possible to help companies and farms respond to this challenge and improve their position in the eyes of the public and consumers. He also pointed towards the need to increase awareness of the wealth of Spanish cheeses and other dairy derivatives in the international markets.

Raúl Compés, Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza, participated in the 7th Meeting of Wine and Agricultural Tourism of the Canary Islands, organized by the Chair of Agritourism and Wine Tourism of the Canary Islands, with the collaboration of the University of La Laguna, the Government of the Canary Islands and the Fuerteventura Island Council.

The Meeting, held in Fuerteventura on 5 and 6 July, addressed promotion of agricultural, rural and wine tourism in the Canary Islands to create value for the producers and the wine-growing areas of the region. A wide representation of policy-makers and professionals involved in the sector from the seven Islands of the archipelago took part in the forum.

The Director of CIHEAM Zaragoza focused his attention on the profile of the wine tourist, the different models of wine tourism today and the factors that determine competitiveness in the enotourism offer. He also spoke of the sustainability-related challenges and opportunities for enotourism. To conclude, he highlighted the great potential of agricultural and wine tourism in the Canary Islands.

On 11 July Syrine Ghannem graduated as the first student to complete the MSc programme in Sustainable Water Management and Governance in Natural and Agricultural Environments.

Syrine was awarded distinction (cum maxima laude) for her MSc thesis “Assessment of hydrological and habitat alteration in regulated river basins. Case study: Júcar River”.

The International Master programme in Sustainable Water Management and Governance in Natural and Agricultural Environments builds on CIHEAM Zaragoza’s 50 years of solid training experience in the area of water, environment, agriculture and economics. It has an innovative, multidisciplinary focus aimed to equip future water professionals with the blend of skills necessary to make a significant contribution to sustainable water management and governance both in agriculture as well as in natural environments.

Developed in partnership with leading organizations in the water sector, this MSc programme offers an integrated and applied approach with lectures and practicals, individual and team study and work, and technical visits. It is a truly international and multicultural experience and a unique opportunity to network with professionals from other countries and generate the necessary knowledge and capabilities to prepare you for a successful and rewarding career.

For more information on the MSc programme visit the website.