ACES: Innovation E-Dialogue Series

PROJECT
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Jacopo Monzini

[email protected]

Areej Jafari

[email protected]

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PROJECT SUMMARY

The ACES Innovation E-Dialogue Series, part of the ACES programme, promotes greener, resilient agrifood systems through innovation, investment and partnerships. It fosters dialogue on emerging technologies, sustainable value chains and financing models to scale climate-smart solutions. The series connects diverse stakeholders – investors, researchers, technology developers and policymakers – to advance innovations that reduce emissions, enhance resource efficiency and strengthen climate resilience of agrifood systems.

context

The ACES Innovation E-Dialogue Series is part of the broader EBRD-FAO collaboration programme, the Agrifood Climate and Environmental Sustainability Initiative (ACES). ACES supports the transition toward greener, more resilient agrifood systems across EBRD countries. In the context of rapid population growth and climate change, innovation is essential for transforming how food is produced, processed and distributed. ACES promotes climate-smart investment roadmaps, sustainable value chain development, and financing opportunities for public and private actors. By fostering enabling policies and partnerships, the initiative aims to scale up technologies and practices that reduce emissions, improve resource efficiency and strengthen climate resilience in agrifood systems.

The objective of the project is to explore a set of trending innovations and practices as well as players or companies that can accelerate the environmental sustainability transition of agrifood systems, from farm to fork. It will expose private sector companies, clients and bankers to front-runners in the business and scientific community using or exploring advanced solutions. 

The ACES Innovation E-Dialogue Series seeks to stimulate high-level discussions on cutting-edge innovations in the agrifood sector to support sustainable intensification and productivity. Through structured focused conversations, these e-dialogues will create meaningful connections among diverse stakeholders involved in advancing, developing, scaling and ensuring the sustainability of innovations across the agrifood value chain, with specific relevance to EBRD countries and clients.

activities

E-dialogues bring together financiers, investors, innovators, policymakers, technology developers, researchers, scientific experts, institutional enablers and potential adopters, from diverse regions, to explore groundbreaking innovations driving the sustainability transition of agrifood systems.

Kicking off at the end of 2025, the series will include a launch session followed by more than 20 thematic e-dialogues. Each online event will explore a specific innovation or trend through expert presentation, an interactive moderated discussion with key panelists, and audience engagement. Through these dialogues, participants will engage with critical questions on specific innovations, drawing from both academic research and practical applications that have demonstrated scalability potential or successful implementation.

E-Dialogue Series topics

  • Opening session “From Vision to Impact”
  • Digital enablers
  • Robotics and automation in agriculture
  • Recyclable Packaging in Food Systems: plastics
  • Recyclable Packaging in Food Systems: cardboard, glass and laminated paper
  • Precision livestock management
  • Biofortification
  • Remote Sensing
  • Cold chain innovations
  • Host plant resistance for Pest Management Smart Devices
  • Disruptive innovations (Alternative Foods, cell-based food)
  • Technology and Innovation in NDCs
  • Fertilizer Innovation I – Slow-Release and Targeted Nutrient Systems
  • Fertilizer Innovation II – Novel Production Technologies
  • Fertilizer Innovation III – Smart Application Technologies
  • Biomass utilization
  • Animal feed innovations
  • Carbon Insetting I – Opportunities and Models
  • Carbon Insetting II – MRV Challenges and Innovations
  • Carbon Insetting III – Incentives and Risk Management
  • Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV)
  • Agrivoltaics
  • Food Loss and Waste (FLW): Digital Tools
  • Innovative preservation methods
  • Fertigation technologies (small-scale, indoor farming, precision challenges)

RECENT PROJECTS

ACES: Environmental sustainability in the olive oil sector

Under the ACES initiative, the EBRD and FAO will be working with olive oil sector stakeholders in the Mediterranean region to develop a comprehensive overview of environmental challenges along the entire value chain, from production to distribution. They will also examine available management technologies and management approaches available, with a focus on their technical and economic performance, as well as the barriers to their adoption in the SEMED context.

Enhancing market diversification for traditional product value chains in Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco

This project aims to strengthen traditional agrifood value chains in Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia while preserving product authenticity and supporting local communities. It focuses on improving quality, organizing supply chains, expanding local and international markets, and promoting sustainability to help businesses become more resilient and profitable while boosting rural economies.

ACES: an Agrifood Climate and Environmental Sustainability initiative

This page offers an overview of the workstreams under the EBRD-FAO Agrifood Climate and Environmental Sustainability (ACES) initiative.

AgriAcademy: digital learning, knowledge transfer and business matching in Ukraine’s agribusiness sector

Ukraine’s agrifood sector stands at the heart of the country’s economy, and at the frontline of its recovery. In the face of war-related disruptions, labour shortages and rapidly changing market conditions, agrifood small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) need fast, practical and accessible solutions to stay competitive and resilient.

Regional: Scoping agrifood value chain investments in Western sub-Saharan Africa

This project supports the EBRD in strengthening its engagement in West Africa’s agrifood sector by identifying high potential investment opportunities across priority agrifood value chains. The assignment began in Nigeria, followed by Côte d’Ivoire, Benin and Senegal, and will expand later to Ghana.

ACES: Urban logistics and reduction of Food Loss and Waste (FLW)

As part of the ACES initiative, the EBRD and FAO will be working with the Turkish cities of Istanbul and Bursa to transform urban food systems through smarter logistics, sustainable practices and targeted investments – reducing congestion, emissions and food waste while strengthening resilient supply chains.

ACES: Innovation E-Dialogue Series

The EBRD-FAO Agrifood Sustainability and Innovation E-Dialogue Series, part of the ACES programme, promotes greener, resilient agrifood systems through innovation, investment and partnerships. It fosters dialogue on emerging technologies, sustainable value chains and financing models to scale climate-smart solutions. The series connects diverse stakeholders – investors, researchers, technology developers and policymakers – to advance innovations that reduce emissions, enhance resource efficiency and strengthen climate resilience of agrifood systems.

Protecting and promoting the reputation of Türkiye’s Bursa black fig and peach

Developing and promoting a Geographical Indication (GI) for Türkiye’s Bursa black fig and peach can improve supply chain efficiencies and market access, particularly for small-scale producers, preserve agricultural biodiversity and protect the name from misuse. The EBRD and FAO worked with local stakeholders to define codes of practice for each fruit and successfully register the GIs at national and European Union level.

Developing NDC roadmaps for climate-smart agrifood systems

Serbia and Uzbekistan are stepping up action to meet global climate change agreements including in their agrifood sectors through decarbonization, adaptation to future climate scenarios and through greater private sector investment and engagement.

Mongolia: Strengthening climate resilience in dairy farming

This project aims to contribute to the transformation of the Mongolia's dairy sector towards climate resilience and reduced environmental impact. To do so, the project will build the capacity of the Dairy Development Board to foster climate-smart practices and conduct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions accounting.

Greening Kyrgyzstan’s economy: Know more, act better, enhance results

The project aims to trigger a green transformation in farmland planning and use through a national evidence-based decision-support system. Specifically, a GIS monitoring system will be developed and made available to the private sector as a public good. This system will support decision-making regarding agricultural practices, increasing yields while reducing environmental impacts.

Facilitating agrifood investment in the energy-water-land nexus in Central Asia

The Water-Energy-Land Nexus is a concept highlighting the interdependence of water, energy and land, applied in this Programme to the agrifood sector. These relationships in the agrifood sector are complicated, necessitating a comprehensive approach to finding solutions for the optimal utilization of these vital resources across the water, energy and food & land nexus.

Reforming Tunisia’s Grain Sector to Enhance Supply Chain Resilience

In the context of supply disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, this project is supporting Tunisia to improve the efficiency of its grain sector through greater private sector participation, improving its resilience to market shocks.

Adding A Splash of Value to Tunisian Olive Oil

Tunisia is boosting the quality and profile of its olive oil through an initiative that is also helping small and medium producers and processors access lucrative export markets.

Containing the Risks of African Swine Fever in South-eastern Europe

Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine are working to manage the risks of transboundary animal diseases which devastate wild and domestic animal populations threatening the food security and livelihoods of millions of people.

Defining the path towards climate-efficient agrifood system infrastructure

This EBRD and FAO project focuses on the need for a new generation of infrastructure to serve agrifood systems that supports progress towards improved economic and financial efficiency, climate resilience, lower stress on natural resources and reduced emissions over their lifecycle.

Filling Food Security Gaps in SEMED Supply Pipelines

Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and the West Bank and Gaza are improving market transparency and policies to strengthen food resilience against supply disruptions and price spikes, such as those resulting from the ongoing war in Ukraine.

A More Resilient Food Secure Future in the SEMED Region

Better management of natural resources is set to help Egypt, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia and the West Bank diversify and boost food production.

Reducing Risks in SEMED Food Security Supply Chains

Egypt, Jordan Lebanon, Morocco, Tunisia, and the West Bank and Gaza broadening their supply base as part of a strategy for greater stability for imported food security crops like grain.

Improving Traditional Livelihoods with Modern Technology in Kazakhstan

Digital innovations and capacity building are driving change in milk sector, connecting smallholders to processors to boost raw milk quality, steady supplies, and reduce inefficiencies.

Morocco Olive Oil Production Steps Up to the Plate

Morocco’s olive oil industry is becoming more competitive globally with better quality products helping to increase incomes for farmers and producers.

Carbon Neutrality: Utopia or The New Green Wave?

The EBRD and FAO have embarked on a comprehensive study to assess trends, challenges and opportunities for decarbonizing agrifood systems and help countries achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

A Digital Transition to Safer Food Systems through e-phyto certificates

As digital innovations bring new opportunities for many countries to trade safely and efficiently across international borders, the EBRD and FAO are providing the support they need to leave the paper trail behind.

Putting Georgia’s Traditional Foods on the Culinary Roadmap

The EBRD and FAO are working with partners in Georgia to strengthen its agritourism industry and create more jobs in rural areas, protect livelihoods and culinary traditions, and preserve local biodiversity.

A Fresh Approach to Diversifying Agrifood Exports in the Western Balkans

Working closely with public and private sector partners in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine are building on their long-established export markets for grains and cereals by offering an extra serving of fresh fruit, with a side order of honey and wine.

Raising the Stakes for Quality Standards in Montenegro and Serbia

Montenegro and Serbia are improving quality standards and labelling for a range of quality products that will promote sustainable agrifood value chains, increase market competitiveness and tap into tourism markets.

Diversifying Markets for Eastern European and Central Asian Horticulture

Georgia, Moldova, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are set to capitalize on increased global consumer demand for fruit and vegetables through this project to build capacity, investment and market links to boost their horticultural exports.

Building Back Shorter in Value Chains

Disruptions during COVID-19 highlighted the urgent need to build resilience in food supply chains. Short value chains can reduce risks, boost smallholder incomes, and meet consumer demand for locally sourced fresh quality produce.

Green Horticulture in a Digital Climate

Climate-smart solutions can reduce production risks and boost trade and investment. An EBRD and FAO projectexplores the green fruit and vegetable production in Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

A Taste for Quality Tea in Azerbaijan and Georgia

Improving tea quality while anticipating climate risks could change the fortunes of two ancient tea-producing industries according to new reports by the EBRD and FAO.

Linking youth innovation to value chain aggregators in the agrifood sector

Private agribusiness partners working with the EBRD and FAO are creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs to transform value chains across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and Türkiye to be more sustainable and inclusive.

The Resilience Pathway: Evolution of Food Distribution Systems during COVID-19

The EBRD and FAO have visited seven cities as part of a project to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic has shaped how fresh foods are distributed and bought, paving the way for food systems that are more flexible and resilient.

Putting Agricultural Resilience into Serbia’s Irrigation Pipelines

The EBRD and FAO are working with the government in Serbia to enhance and upgrade the country’s irrigation systems as part of efforts to protect and increase its agricultural productivity, environmental sustainability and climate change resilience.

Reimagining the Future of Food for the Cities

As the world’s urban population is set to increase to almost 70 percent by 2050, the EBRD and FAO look to more than 250 companies in over 85 countries to understand the new wave of commercial urban farming to guide investments that link technology and innovation with food, nature and people.

Developing a Taste for West Bank and Gaza Olive Oil

Identifying priority investment areas for olive oil production in the West Bank and Gaza will help diversify and expand its export markets for this resilient high-value crop.

Supporting Jordan’s Olive Oil Sector to be Resilient, Competitive and Profitable

Increasing export markets for Jordan’s olive oil will generate income for farmers and producers and boost resilience to increasing water scarcity and erratic weather.

Investing in Food Loss and Waste: What’s in it for Development Banks?

Development banks can play an important role in the transformation to less wasteful food systems. A new brief sets out how.

Strengthening Moroccan agrifood exporters’ sustainability and competitiveness on global high value markets

The EBRD and FAO are working with the government in Morocco to increase deliveries of its high-value horticultural products to both developed and prospective markets while anticipating sustainability risks posed by the expansion of key fruit and vegetable value chains in the country.

Jordan’s Traditional Foods Added to the Development Menu

The EBRD and FAO are working in Jordan to strengthen links between local agricultural producers, traditional foods and the tourism industry, in a move that could serve up benefits for all.

Creating a Buzz for Türkiye’s Pine Honey

Registering and promoting the Geographical Indication for Turkish pine honey could see increased exports, improved supply chain efficiency, revitalized local economies, protected biodiversity and a treat for honey connoisseurs.

Serving up Egypt’s fruits and vegetables to the international markets

With the support of the EBRD and FAO, Egyptian exporters are strengthening their capacities to increase access to and stay competitive in high-value export markets for its delicious and nutritious fruits and vegetables.

A Public-private Recipe for More Efficient Wheat Imports in Egypt

To ensure that wheat supplies flow in and pests and diseases stay out, the National Food Safety Authority (NFSA) is addressing inefficiencies along Egypt’s grain value chains with the support of the EBRD, FAO and public-private dialogues.
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PROJECTS

ACES: Environmental sustainability in the olive oil sector

Enhancing market diversification for traditional product value chains in Tunisia, Jordan and Morocco

ACES: an Agrifood Climate and Environmental Sustainability initiative

AgriAcademy: digital learning, knowledge transfer and business matching in Ukraine’s agribusiness sector

Regional: Scoping agrifood value chain investments in Western sub-Saharan Africa

ACES: Urban logistics and reduction of Food Loss and Waste (FLW)

ACES: Innovation E-Dialogue Series

Protecting and promoting the reputation of Türkiye’s Bursa black fig and peach

Developing NDC roadmaps for climate-smart agrifood systems

Mongolia: Strengthening climate resilience in dairy farming

Greening Kyrgyzstan’s economy: Know more, act better, enhance results

Facilitating agrifood investment in the energy-water-land nexus in Central Asia

Reforming Tunisia’s Grain Sector to Enhance Supply Chain Resilience

Adding A Splash of Value to Tunisian Olive Oil

Containing the Risks of African Swine Fever in South-eastern Europe

Defining the path towards climate-efficient agrifood system infrastructure

Filling Food Security Gaps in SEMED Supply Pipelines

A More Resilient Food Secure Future in the SEMED Region

Reducing Risks in SEMED Food Security Supply Chains

Improving Traditional Livelihoods with Modern Technology in Kazakhstan

Morocco Olive Oil Production Steps Up to the Plate

Carbon Neutrality: Utopia or The New Green Wave?

A Digital Transition to Safer Food Systems through e-phyto certificates

Putting Georgia’s Traditional Foods on the Culinary Roadmap

A Fresh Approach to Diversifying Agrifood Exports in the Western Balkans

Raising the Stakes for Quality Standards in Montenegro and Serbia

Diversifying Markets for Eastern European and Central Asian Horticulture

Building Back Shorter in Value Chains

Green Horticulture in a Digital Climate

A Taste for Quality Tea in Azerbaijan and Georgia

Linking youth innovation to value chain aggregators in the agrifood sector

The Resilience Pathway: Evolution of Food Distribution Systems during COVID-19

Putting Agricultural Resilience into Serbia’s Irrigation Pipelines

Reimagining the Future of Food for the Cities

Developing a Taste for West Bank and Gaza Olive Oil

Supporting Jordan’s Olive Oil Sector to be Resilient, Competitive and Profitable

Investing in Food Loss and Waste: What’s in it for Development Banks?

Strengthening Moroccan agrifood exporters’ sustainability and competitiveness on global high value markets

Jordan’s Traditional Foods Added to the Development Menu

Creating a Buzz for Türkiye’s Pine Honey

Serving up Egypt’s fruits and vegetables to the international markets

A Public-private Recipe for More Efficient Wheat Imports in Egypt

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