Background The AU-EU IRC on FNSSA, currently being operationalised by the CEA-FIRST project, is a multi-actor, member-based ‘Network-of-networks’, optimising the impact of Research and Innovation (R&I) investments, and strengthening capacity building within the AU-EU FNSSA R&I framework. Central to the realisation of these objectives is the formal establishment and activation of various IRC governance bodies, comprising the Secretariat, IRC Council, External Advisory Committee, thematic Working Groups, and the General Assembly. In the past 24 months of implementation, the CEA-FIRST project has made remarkable strides: • Essential IRC governance structures and operational frameworks (General Assembly, Secretariat, Council, External Advisory Committee, and Working Groups) have been established. • Launch of IRC membership, along with strategies for membership growth, including the TOR for implementation. • Development of IRC Statutes, a visual identity, and dissemination, exploitation and communication plan and channels • Review of the 2016-2026 AU-EU FNSSA Roadmap and initiation of calls for Working Groups and expressions of interest for IRC Anchor Institutions A significant milestone was reached with the activation of the Secretariat during the first IRC General Assembly, held in Brussels on March 14, 2025. This event marked Milestone 3 of the CEA-FIRST project and provided the momentum needed to operationalise […]

Background The CEA-FIRST project, funded under Horizon Europe, is operationalising the International Research Consortium (IRC) on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA). Anchored in the AU-EU partnership and guided by the FNSSA Roadmap of the High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD), the IRC is envisioned as a multi-actor, member-based platform designed to address fragmentation in research and innovation (R&I) efforts and promote scalable, impactful solutions. The operationalisation is being undertaken in consolidation and pilot phases. Over the course of the Consolidation Phase, the CEA-FIRST project has made significant progress in establishing foundational structures and laying the groundwork for IRC implementation, which now informs the transition to the pilot phase. Notable achievements over the past 24 months include: Establishment of CEA-FIRST project governance structures, visual identity, dissemination, exploitation and communication plan and channels Establishment of the IRC’s governance structures and operational frameworks, such as the General Assembly, Secretariat, Council, External Advisory Committee, and Working Groups. Development of IRC Statutes, designed primarily as a comprehensive partnership instrument, detailing its governance, membership and operational structure. Launch of the IRC membership call and development of a membership growth strategy, including the TOR for implementation. Review of the 2016–2026 AU-EU FNSSA Roadmap. Development of a […]

Agrifood systems need to become more sustainable, healthy, productive, inclusive, climate resilient to be able to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. This requires profound changes through the contribution of research and innovation (R&I). The EU Research and Innovation cooperation agenda is implemented within the framework of various dialogue fora with partner countries. It is also part of the Global Gateway including a pillar on “education and research”. It mobilizes different EU instruments and programs such as the DeSIRA initiative or the Horizon Europe programme. This conference is organized by DG INTPA in collaboration with other EU Directorate Generals.It specifically addresses the question of how cooperation in R&I can contribute to desirable agrifood systems transformation, discussing principles, partnerships, methods for innovation at scale, capacities, funding, and policies. The conference is built on the collective achievements and consolidated lessons of the DeSIRA initiative and takes stock of other R&I programmes implemented or supported by EU.The main conference objectives are to: Share results and lessons on the contribution of R&I projects to food systems transformation in LMICs through the experiences of UE interventions and similar other international interventions.  Identify key enablers and hurdles for innovation at scale for productive, inclusive, and sustainable […]