Skip to main content
European Commission logo
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS
CORDIS Web 30th anniversary CORDIS Web 30th anniversary

Consortium Europe-Africa for Research and Innovation on Food Systems Transformation

Project description

Addressing global food systems and food security challenges

Global food security faces unprecedented challenges. With fragmented research efforts hindering progress, the need for a cohesive strategy is paramount. In this context, the EU-funded CEA-FIRST project aims to bring together 21 partners from Africa and Europe in a Consortium Europe Africa on Research and Innovation for Food Systems Transformation alliance. It aims to operationalise the International Research Consortium (IRC). Aligned with the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) Roadmap of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue, the project focuses on reducing research fragmentation. It will provide public access to a large knowledge platform, analyse research and innovation activities and establish working groups in line with the long-term IRC strategy and operational plan and the updated FNSSA Roadmap (2027-2036).

Objective

CEA-FIRST, the Consortium Europe Africa on Research and Innovation for Food Systems Transformation, consists of 21 partners from Africa and Europe, partly from the former LEAP4FNSSA, extended with new public and private network partners. CEA-FIRST will operationalise the International Research Consortium (IRC) as a long-term platform on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture (FNSSA) in line with the FNSSA Roadmap of the AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD). This IRC is a member-based, multi-actor platform and will work towards increasing synergies and coherence while reducing fragmentation and duplication of research efforts. Its aim is to promote higher returns on investments and impact on business development in Africa and Europe, by linking actors, research and innovation projects, initiatives, and funding programmes. CEA-FIRST will:
1. provide public access to a large knowledge platform,
2. offer a sound method for analysis of R&I activities,
3. support the updating of the FNSSA Roadmap,
4. establish operational working groups and thematic research calls.
The final output will be a fully functional IRC, including governance bodies. CEA-FIRST will also support its liaison with the High-Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD). It will create a learning environment, including communication channels, to support multi stakeholder networks and to strengthen R&I coordination. The IRC will also serve related AU-EU policy priorities, such as the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy and the Innovation Agenda of the HLPD, as well as the European Green Deal priorities (and farm to fork strategy) and the AU priorities like the African Free Trade Area.

Coordinator

FORUM FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN AFRICA, GHANA
Net EU contribution
€ 651 121,88

Participants (19)

Partners (1)