Innovation Marketplace '03 Celebrates Spirit of Innovation

The Innovation Marketplace '03 was launched in Nairobi to promote, expand, and strengthen relationships with civil society while catalyzing innovation across the CGIAR system.

The winners of the Inaugural Innovation Marketplace '03 are:

- Best Innovative Partnership Program to Mr. Nyine Bithawa and Ms. Anke Weisheit of Rukararwe Partnership Workshop for Rural Development, in partnership with World Agroforestry Centre, for a program that is strengthening the capacity of herbalists in conservation and use of medicinal species. The prize carried a cash award of $15,000 and a scroll. The judges felt the program adopts an innovative approach that is enhancing prosperity, encouraging diversification, systems sustainability, and that addresses the critical issue of genetic resources conservation while contributing to health and livelihood improvements.

- People's Choice Award to Mr. Wonwossen Diresse Bezabih of Tikurso Innovative Farmers Group. The prize carried a cash award of $5,000 and a scroll.

These two winners were chosen from 10 finalists, who in turn were selected from 45 entries. The first round of evaluation was conducted by Milagre Nuvunga of Ford Foundation, Davinder Lamba of Mazingira Institute (a local NGO) and Erica Kanja, Innovation Marketplace Event Manager.

The second round of evaluation was conducted by Luis Arango of CORPOICA (Colombian Corporation for Agricultural Research), Denis Despereaux (France), Mangala Rai (India), and Franklin Moore (USA).

Innovation Marketplace '03 thanks all participants and representatives of civil society organizations who responded enthusiastically to the call for nominations.