Implementation of the Knowledge and Communication Management Plan 2020-2025 of FONTAGRO

Code:

ATN/RF-19946-RG

Initiative:

Knowledge Management

FONTAGRO Amount:

USD 373.000

Counterpart Amount:

USD 260.652

Other agencies

USD 0

Total Amount:

USD 633.652

Participating countries:

United States

Funding source:

FONTAGRO Amount 59% Other agencies 0% Counterpart Amount 41%

Executive Summary

FONTAGRO's Knowledge and Communication Management (GCyC) is a key element in its 2020-2025 Medium-Term Plan (PMP), positioned as a cross-cutting theme aimed at widely disseminating knowledge to all potential users. This technical cooperation was initiated at the request of FONTAGRO's Governing Council to continue the activities outlined in the 2020-2025 Knowledge and Communication Management Action Plan. The Plan, a product of extensive review of other organizations with similar missions in the agri-food sector, includes advances in science, technology, and innovation, and incorporates insights from a series of three seminars with representatives from FONTAGRO member countries, specialists, and external experts. These efforts aim to position FONTAGRO as a leader in new models of scientific management and knowledge dissemination, enhancing its role as a regional cooperation instrument. The Plan outlines strategies to leverage open science and includes a data management plan, fostering innovation through collaborative management and the use of digital and artificial intelligence technologies. By promoting best practices in open and accessible science, FONTAGRO hopes to improve the efficiency, credibility, and visibility of its projects, thus significantly contributing to the challenges of the 2030 Agenda.

The technological solution

The proposed technological solution for implementing actions from the FONTAGRO Knowledge and Communication Management Plan includes organizing events to promote strategic alliances in celebration of FONTAGRO's twenty-fifth anniversary. These events will serve as platforms to foster collaboration among different key actors and promote innovation in bioeconomy in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Virtual Events Platform: Webinars, conferences, and online discussion panels are conducted, enabling participation and interaction among researchers from FONTAGRO member institutions, university researchers, and researchers from research centers worldwide, overcoming geographical barriers.

Use of Digital Marketing Tools: Digital marketing tools are utilized to promote the events and award activities. This includes the use of social media, newsletters, and collaborations with media outlets specialized in technology and bioeconomy.

Digital Repository: The information generated will be stored in the digital repository of the project platform and successful case studies, accessible to the public.

These technological solutions will not only facilitate the implementation of FONTAGRO's Knowledge and Communication Management Plan but will also promote the sustainability and long-term impact of bioeconomy initiatives in the region.

Results

FONTAGRO, in its effort to promote sustainable development and innovation in agriculture in Latin America and the Caribbean, has undertaken a series of initiatives to update and improve its knowledge management and communication strategies. The celebration of FONTAGRO's 25th anniversary has been a significant milestone in its activities, organizing a special event that not only served to commemorate a quarter-century of achievements but also to promote partnerships and memberships, and to offer an international reference forum. This event facilitated the exchange of best practices in innovation and open science related to agri-food systems, increasing FONTAGRO's international visibility. The celebration included workshops and the production of commemorative materials such as videos and a dedicated landing page, in addition to an award ceremony that highlighted innovations in bioeconomy, evidencing FONTAGRO's ongoing commitment to fostering research and sustainable development in the region.

FONTAGRO has implemented a series of workshops and courses designed to improve skills in the design and writing of competitive research projects, which has had a significant impact on both participation and evaluation by attendees. The course held in October 2023, in Maracay, Venezuela, and the one conducted virtually in March 2024, received broad acceptance, with notable attendance and commitment from participants representing various national agricultural research institutions from FONTAGRO member countries. The content ranged from the introduction and evaluation of projects to the development and practical exercise of proposals, culminating in a general discussion and conclusions. These workshops not only boosted motivation for future project calls but also demonstrated the effectiveness and impact of the training offered, as reflected in the evaluations conducted, which are expected to provide a more objective assessment of the course's impact.

The IV Contest of Successful Cases of Innovations in family agriculture 2023-2024, focused on the bioeconomy, was held. The initiative sought not only to foster successful cases that illustrate the application of science, technology, and innovation to promote bioeconomy strategies in the agro-bio-industrial sector but also culminated in an award ceremony that recognized innovative projects from Colombia, Paraguay, and Venezuela. These projects stood out for their focus on sustainability, resilience, and well-being improvement in their communities, marking a milestone in the promotion of bioeconomy strategies in the region and demonstrating the potential of the bioeconomy to face current global and regional challenges.

Beneficiaries

The beneficiaries of the FONTAGRO Knowledge and Communication Management Plan are diverse and encompass a wide range of key players in the agricultural and bioeconomy sectors of Latin America and the Caribbean. This includes researchers and academics from institutions affiliated with FONTAGRO, who benefit from access to the latest research and international collaborations. Farmers and agricultural producers in the region are also among the beneficiaries, as they gain access to innovations and sustainable practices that can improve their yields and sustainability. Finally, society at large benefits from improvements in food security and environmental management that result from the projects supported by the plan. This comprehensive approach helps promote more sustainable and efficient agricultural development in the region.