Inspire - Circular Agrifood

The CircularAgriFood Autumn School aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of circularity principles and cutting-edge technologies in agrifood systems. It explores challenges and opportunities for circularity, fostering creativity and ideation. The school encourages the development of innovative solutions for real-world challenges and equips participants with practical skills and knowledge applicable to their careers. Participants will learn strategies and technologies to reduce waste, emissions, and promote resource efficiency in the agrifood sector. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills will be developed to address real life circularity challenges in agrifood systems.

The CircularAgriFood Autumn School has several unique selling points and advantages to the participants:

• Challenge-Based Approach: participants are presented with real-world challenges from industry and academic partners. This approach goes beyond theoretical learning and provides participants with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills to solve practical problems. By working on these challenges, participants gain valuable hands-on experience and develop innovative solutions that can have a real impact in the agrifood sector.
• Immersive Experience: The program offers an immersive week in Portugal, where participants have the opportunity to collaborate directly with mentors and industry partners. This hands-on experience allows participants to deepen their understanding of circularity, build relationships with professionals in the field, and further develop their ideas and solutions. The immersive experience enhances the practical application of knowledge and provides a unique networking opportunity for participants.
• Focus on Cutting-Edge Technologies: The school places a strong emphasis on the most up-to-date deeptech innovations available for implementing circular practices in the agrifood sector. Participants gain knowledge about the latest advancements in precision agriculture, digital solutions for supply chain optimization, waste valorization technologies, and sustainable packaging innovations.
• Recognition and Final Prize: The school offers participants the chance to pitch their ideas and solutions to a panel of experts, which can lead to future ventures and/or collaborations and partnerships.

During the intensive three-week programme, participants of this school will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue diverse career opportunities within the food system. This programmemr will empower participants to apply innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities to create impactful solutions within the food industry. Whether it's developing sustainable farming practices, creating new food products, analyzing food systems, or driving policy changes, graduates of this program will be well-prepared to embark on entrepreneurial paths in the dynamic field of food innovation. 

Agrifood circularity is crucial for sustainable and resilient food systems, prioritising renewable resources, waste reduction, emissions reduction, by-product valorization, and regenerative practices. It mitigates environmental degradation, preserves resources, enhances food security, and offers economic benefits. Transitioning to circularity is vital for our planet’s well-being amid a growing population and limited resources.

The CircularAgriFood Autumn School is a 15-day programme providing a comprehensive understanding of circularity in agriculture and food systems, in parallel with sessions aimed at triggering the entrepreneurial mindset of our participants. Through a challenge-based approach, participants gain practical skills and knowledge to design and implement solutions in circular food systems, using cutting-edge technologies. The programme also includes an immersive week in Portugal, in which they will further improve their solutions by collaborating in-person with expert mentors.

The school ends with a final test. Successful participants will be granted a Certificate of Completion.

However, right after the school ends participants will have the opportunity to join the Inspire Impact competition, continue their learning, earn an additional certificate and compete for cash prizes (up to €4000). 

The Inspire Impact course is free of charge for candidates who have satisfactorily completed any Inspire School. 

More information about this competition will be shared soon!