FAO-ITU awards ceremony: ‘Digital Excellence in Agriculture in Europe and Central Asia’
Hybrid Event, 23/09/2021
Time: 9.30 to 12.30 (CEST)
In November 2020, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), together with FAO, launched the regional contest on “Digital Excellence in Agriculture in Europe and Central Asia" to identify, showcase, and celebrate good practices and innovative solutions proven successful in advancing the digital transformation of agriculture.
The Awards Ceremony will be held virtually on 23 September 2021.
With nearly 200 applicants from 38 countries of Europe and Central Asia, the initiative revealed a diverse, dynamic and future-thinking ecosystem of innovators and problem-solvers. Earlier, 28 selected practices were announced that compete for the Digital Excellence in Agriculture award. These practices were identified as impactful, sustainable, up-scalable, innovative, using a combination of multiple technologies with a potential to enhance the digital transition of the agricultural sectors of Europe and Central Asia.
On top of the 21 outstanding practices (three per category), members of the Evaluation Committee decided to identify seven champion practices (one per category) coming from the 18 countries of the ITU-FAO review on the status of digital agriculture in Europe and Central Asia (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Russian Federation, Serbia, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan).
The 28 finalists of the “Digital Excellence in Agriculture in Europe and Central Asia Contest” will have the possibility to showcase their good practices and innovative solutions that have proven successful in advancing the digital transformation of the agricultural value chains in the region.
The Award Ceremony will reveal the 7 winners of the special recognition of “Digital Excellence in Agriculture Contest” and 7 champion practices.
About the contest
The Digital Excellence in Agriculture contest enables to identify and promote transformative digital solutions that contribute to build resilient food systems in the region. The initiative seeks to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and, in particular, SDG 2 ‘Zero Hunger’, to ensure a sustainable and inclusive digital transition and to help bridge digital, rural, and gender disparities, known as the ‘triple divide’.
The contest is also an important milestone in the implementation of FAO and ITU’s Regional Initiatives and cooperation. It supports particularly the FAO regional initiative on Empowering smallholders, family farms and youth, facilitating rural livelihoods and poverty reduction.