Food risks in Central America and the Caribbean are correlated with climate change, so it is essential to think about technological and innovative options applicable to the region that allow communities to respond to the challenges by having devices, sensors and timely information for decision making at the territorial level and promoting capacity building in public institutions and productive organizations.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, the infrastructure of RedCLARA and the National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), the direct submarine connectivity between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean provided by BELLA Programme through the EllaLink cable, and the set of initiatives related to the Digital Alliance, including the BELLA II Project - Building the Europe Link to Latin America and the Caribbean - (that is cofounded by the European Union, as it was the BELLA Programme), aim to strengthen and expand the digital ecosystem.

This expansion enables relationships and exchanges between companies, research centers, educational institutions and National Research and Education Networks; relationships and exchanges that represent a great opportunity to achieve the region's strategic goals through education, science, technology and innovation.

Innovation plays a very important role in identifying opportunities from the aforementioned capabilities, which is why RedCLARA, FAO, GIZ, IICA, LACNET and ESA are organizing an Ideathon with the aimof stimulating the collaborative generation of ideas that allow the transformation of agri-food systems to make them more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable in the Dry Corridor of Central America using different technologies linked in the digital transformation: IoT, AI, advanced computing, 5G, Industry 4. 0, Big Data, Web 3.0 and others.

The concept notes generated in the Ideathon should answer the proposed trigger question:

How can advanced digital transformation technologies (IoT, AI, Advanced Computing, 5G, Industry 4.0, Big Data, Web 3.0 and others) be used to transform agri-food systems and make them more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable in Central America?

Including the following challenges:

• Focus on water - European Green Pact.
• Bridging the Gender and Digital Divide

The Ideathon will be developed virtually and will have synchronous and asynchronous sessions that will allow the development of an agenda with training and mentoring spaces for participants and spaces for the construction of the final ideas, as well as simultaneous activities at the opening and closing.

The invitations will be sent to the institutions and organizations defined by the Organizing Committee in order to identify the participants who will registering on their behalf. Interested parties may also pre-register in order to be reviewed. Once the registrations are closed, the committee will confirm the registrations and organize the groups to be registered on the Ideathon platform.

The Ideathon will be held from February 29 to March 11, 2024. Pre-registration will take place from November 30, 2023 to February 10, 2024. The organizing committee will be giving response and acceptance to these registrations. To access the pre-registration link, please visit https://eventos.redclara.net/event/1147/

The Ideathon is open to:

• Universities, research centers, specialized international organizations, large research infrastructures (Copernicus and others), multilateral development banks, DG-RTD European Commission, SCALAC supercomputing centers, BSC, etc.
• Collaborative, associative ventures (related to agriculture and food security issues).
• Government agencies (related to agriculture and food security issues, innovation and technology).

• Five (5) consultations or mentorships to assist in the developmnet of the concept note.
• One (1) training on relevant topics to help the group develop capacities to further develop the concept note.
• In-person participation in a theme-related event to present and disseminate the winning concept note, including accommodation and airfare.
• Participation and involvement in the Digital Agenda 2024.

BELLA II

BELLA II is a regional initiative that aims to reduce the digital divide and support the development of the necessary infrastructure to consolidate and expand a digital ecosystem of science, technology, education, and innovation. It seeks to strengthen and expand the digital ecosystem of Latin America and the Caribbean, enabling relations and exchanges between companies, research centers, educational institutions and national research and education networks, which are aligned with the strategic objectives in education, science, technology and innovation from LAC and Europe. BELLA II receives funding from the European Union.

European Union

BELLA II is one of the pillars of the Digital Alliance EU-ALC. BELLA II receives funding from the European Union through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), under agreement number 438-964 with DG-INTPA, signed in December 2022. The implementation period of BELLA II is 48 months.

RedCLARA - Latin American Cooperation of Advanced Networks

Its mission is to contribute to the development of science, education, technology and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean through the articulation, connection and strengthening of its national research and education networks.

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

FAO is the United Nations agency that leads the international effort to end hunger. Its objective is to achieve food security for all, while ensuring regular access to sufficient and good quality food for an active and healthy life.

GIZ

GIZ provides tailor-made, cost-effective and efficient services for sustainable development.

IICA - Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

IICA is the specialized agricultural agency of the Inter-American System that supports the efforts of the Member States to achieve agricultural development and rural well-being.

LACNET

International non-profit association, fruit of the alliance between RedCLARA and LACNIC in collaboration with BID Lab, created within the framework of the LACChain Global Alliance to orchestrate in a neutral and sustainable way the LACChain blockchain networks.

ESA - European Space Agency

Its mission is to shape the development of European space capabilities and ensure that investment in space continues to bring benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.