The 5TOI_EWAS innovation week was held in Tunis on 11-14th February 2019. It was an exceptional networking platform for exchanging ideas, define policies, finding new solutions and business opportunities in the interrelated fields of food, water and energy – NEXUS.
The third Innovation week in Tunisia took place in the framework of the Horizon2020 funded “5TOI_4EWAS project”. It was a unique science diplomacy occasion. The Innovation Week gathered the most relevant experts to examine strategies for a smarter and more sustainable Euro-Mediterranean development for the years to come. The event was articulated in three days.
Day 1 An eye-opening training session on H2020 new work programme 2018 – 2020. We kicked off the first day of the innovation week presenting:
- the new work-programme 2018 – 2020;
- the corresponding call for proposals with the focus on the three foci of food, water and energy;
- the benefits of participation for researchers and innovators from MENA Countries;
- how to find suitable partners
- a full insight into proposal development and/or project management
- the main concerns for H2020 coordinators providing them with useful tips and tools.
Last but not least, the H2020 Financial issues with all explanations and practical examples.
Day 2 / The second day was another day of deep-dive debate and contribution to the identification of priorities and recommendations for decision makers of the area.One session showcasing the most representative know-how developed by 5TOI_4EWAS in the Water-Energy-Food NEXUS, followed by 5TOI_4EWAS Join Action Plan (JAP) presentation. The JAP is the strategic agenda for the years to come on how to stimulate innovation in the EU-MED area. The JAP will be publicly released soon, and it will be the most important legacy of the project for the European Commission.
Simultaneous master classes addressing different topics that include i) Intellectual Property (RSS); ii) Horizon Europe; iii) COST actions; iv) FAB-LABS; v) The NEXUS approach; vi) Venture capital incubators and examples of success stories
Day 3 / The third and final round of talks, showcase & brokerage event at the innovation week went deep into the key issues of NEXUS future challenges. It included interactive panels with international and local experts in food, water and energy NEXUS to set an innovation strategy for the Euro-Mediterranean area, tips to reinforcing strategic alliances, to shape new opportunities as well as to leverage synergies and enrich the NEXUS living lab ecosystem
The final conference saw the participation of the most important stakeholders of the EU-MED research and innovation cooperation in the NEXUS sector.
The showcase gave voice to Start-ups operating in the fields of water, energy & food exposing their innovative projects and products
B2B matchmaking activities helped to create collaboration opportunities between Experts and stakeholders/institutions/NGO/Consultants/Public Bodies.
The third innovation week confirmed again the how 5TOI_4EWAS is the most import initiative in the EU-MED area and a cornerstone how it is for the years to come a milestone in the WEF NEXUS. The know-how developed by the project will last for years. This is also thank to its extended array of partners spread in 15 EU-MED countries.