CircularEconomy4Colombia: Bootcamp Report: Innovation Challenge 2024

In the context of CGIAR Research Initiative Nature-Positive Solutions, the CircularEconomy4Colombia Innovation Challenge is powered by the CGIAR Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP) and co-organized with CGIAR Centers – the Alliance Bioversity International-CIAT and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) – in partnership with EAN University, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and the Green Business Office of Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Minambiente).

The CircularEconomy4Colombia Innovation Challenge is an initiative aimed supporting Colombia’s transition to a circular economy within the agri-food sector. The challenge seeks to boost and scale up high-impact, science-backed, context-specific solutions that enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste and deforestation, and promote sustainable development in Colombia. As part of this challenge, 21 selected teams had the opportunity to join a fully funded 3-day in-person bootcamp on 9-11 October, 2024, at the Alliance Bioversity and CIAT Palmira Campus in Colombia.

During this time the innovators were provided with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to advance their innovative solutions. The CircularEconomy4Colombia bootcamp is specifically designed for the Colombian context and focuses on solutions with real impact potential. Its importance lies in giving entrepreneurs a relevant exposure to the Colombian market and ecosystem, preparing them to create connections and define strategies that allow them to have profitable and sustainable businesses.

Menza, G.; Khader, T.