RIS Inspire - SAFER (Student Entrepreneurship for an Agri-Food Ecosystem Recovery)

Student Entrepreneurship for an Agri-Food Ecosystem Recovery

Dates: From 12th until the 29th of May 2025

Location: Online + (optional) Pollica, SA, Italy

Language: English

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Overview: RIS Inspire - SAFER (Student Entrepreneurship for an Agri-Food Ecosystem Recovery)

About
Description of the programme
What you'll learn
Career Opportunities

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About : Objectives of the programme

The SAFER Training Programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to make a significant impact in the food sector while addressing the critical challenges facing our ecosystems. You will gain general knowledge about entrepreneurship, agrifood sustainability, and the technologies shaping the food sector.

This transformative journey offers a unique opportunity to connect with global experts, local communities, and nature, co-creating actionable strategies to address the pressing challenges of climate change. It empowers participants to become leaders in sustainable food systems and climate action and serves as a powerful accelerator for their entrepreneurial ideas.

Who can attend? :

The SAFER programme is open to a diverse range of participants, including:

Bachelor and Master’s students interested in entrepreneurship, sustainability, and innovation in the agri-food sector.
Recent graduates looking to gain practical skills and hands-on experience in business creation and food systems.
Early-career researchers (PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers) eager to apply their knowledge to real-world challenges and develop entrepreneurial projects.
Aspiring entrepreneurs from any educational background who want to innovate and create sustainable solutions in the food industry.

Requirements:

Age: Participants must be 18 years or older.
Motivation and Commitment: Applicants should demonstrate a strong interest in entrepreneurship and innovation within the agrifood sector. They should be committed to actively participate in all components of the programme, including online training sessions, hands-on activities, and the in-person boot camp.
Language Proficiency: As the programme will be conducted in English, participants must have a good command of the English language to ensure effective communication and participation in all activities.
Multidisciplinary backgrounds will be encouraged.
Applicants from rural areas will be encouraged, as these regions are where innovation is most needed and where the mission of creating sustainable and resilient food systems will have the greatest impact.

Description of the programme : Online module + Bootcamp

The program is structured as follows:

Online Training (3 weeks): This module provides an overview of entrepreneurial opportunities, innovation in the food industry, available technologies, and how to create sustainable businesses from social, ecological, and business perspectives.

Optional In-Person Bootcamp (3 days): This hands-on experience includes field trips and workshops designed to foster innovative solutions for the planet. Participants will receive dedicated support to refine and develop their business concepts.

The programme will kick off on the 12th of May with a brief introductory session, where the program themes, working methods, and dedicated platforms for students will be presented. The remaining sessions will be delivered over the course of 9 days, focusing on the following topics:

Idea generation and validation
Web 3.0, agrifood innovation, and its role in supporting regenerative agriculture
Ecosystem thinking
Business model development
Blockchain applications in the agrifood chain
Financial ecosystems for innovation
Financial planning, marketing, and sales
Systems thinking & systemic mindset competencies

What you'll learn : You will learn the following competencies:

Food systems

Participants will develop the ability to critically assess the food system and identify key sustainability challenges, fostering a problem-solving mindset.

Critical thinking

Participants will focus on thinking and influencing activities, such as teamwork, which will further develop participants' problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Through collaborative projects participants will learn to implement innovative responses to address sustainability challenges in the food system.

Entrepreneurship

Participants will learn how to build businesses that are socially, ecologically, and economically sustainable, understanding the role of the entrepreneur in fostering a sustainable environment.
Participants will acquire and apply skills in idea development, team building, market research, and the overall process of starting a business in the agrifood sector. This will foster participants' entrepreneurial mindset and their capacity to solve problems through innovative business creation.

Learn more about our competency framework

Career Opportunities : This programme is for you!

The SAFER programme equips you with valuable skills and knowledge to pursue a wide range of career opportunities within the agri-food sector, particularly focusing on sustainability and entrepreneurship. By developing competencies in problem-solving, critical thinking, and leadership, you can pursue careers in startups, corporate innovation teams, or even launch your own ventures. You will also gain exposure to real-world challenges and solutions through mentorship and networking with industry experts, positioning yourself for roles that drive transformation within food systems.