Bioeconomy Innovation Successful Cases Contest 2023-2024

The objective of this competition is to identify and document successful experiences and lessons learned that contribute to a better understanding of how, through science, technology and innovation, bioeconomy strategies are promoted in the agro-bio-industrial sector in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Funding for this competition is provided by FONTAGRO and IICA and could be supplemented with additional resources from other agencies related to FONTAGRO’s mission.

Awards will be given to the following categories:

i. Category I. Producers’ associations and other private sector organizations, including NGOs, working with LAC producers. This category includes producers’ associations, cooperatives, family producers, as well as private companies that, through their innovations, promote the development of the bioeconomy.

ii. Category II. LAC Science and Technology Institutions and Organizations. This category includes public or private research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) institutions that, through their progress, promote the development of bioeconomy.

iii. Category III. LAC public sector (at all levels). This category includes all levels of government that, through different initiatives (laws, ordinances, promotion schemes, etc.), promote the development of the bioeconomy.

Special prizes will be awarded, one for each eligible category. The prize includes:

i. US$15,000 to strengthen the institutional capacity of the winning organizations.

ii. A trip to the award event venue to present the case (includes lodging, round-trip economy class travel and a small stipend for one person).

In addition, the ten best cases selected will be acknowledged through interviews that will be published on FONTAGRO’s website and social media.

Policies and Conditions. This competition will be subject to the provisions detailed in the current FONTAGRO Operations Manual, the policies of the IDB, IICA, and these Terms of Reference.

Additional sources of funding. This competition may have additional sources of funding if at the time of the final selection of the cases there are other agencies interested in co-financing them based on their regional priorities or other particular conditions.