2025 / V edition
25→28 november
CIHEAM BARI
The Mediterranean Innovation Agrifood Week is an event organized by CIHEAM Bari and is the annual opportunity for organizations, BSOs, companies, startups, people, ideas, experiences, and expertise to come together to build innovative visions of sustainable food systems in the Mediterranean and Africa.
The previous edition, held in 2024, attracted 400 participants representing 14 international organizations, 50 companies, 30 experts, 35 Business Support Organizations (BSOs), and 21 startups from the Mediterranean and African regions.
The fifth edition of Mediterranean Innovation Agrifood 2025 aims to expand our community of innovators and enhance collaboration opportunities between the Italian system and Mediterranean and African countries.
The fifth edition of the Mediterranean Innovation Agrifood Week promotes the joint involvement of public and private stakeholders, with the aim of strengthening collaboration and consolidating innovation ecosystems as drivers of change for Mediterranean and African Countries.
The event aims to create concrete connections between startups in the Med-African region and the Italian profit system, to strengthen the skills of incubators and companies leading agri-food innovation, and to promote innovative solutions both in the business and in international cooperation projects.
MEET
innovation leaders through B2B, meetings and showcases
SHARE
ideas, models, practices, and innovative solutions to foster collaborations
EMPOWER
skills and capabilities through dedicated masterclasses and mentoring
An ever-growing community of innovators
that continues beyond the event
entrepreneurs
& innovation hub
organizations
experts
MEET
- more than 20 Startup booth and showcase
- pitch competition stage featuring companies from the Italy System
EMPOWER
EMPO
WER
- mentorships for Startups with International Experts
- Masterclass & Workshops
SHARE
- business matchmaking spaces for companies, startups, and BSOs
- dedicated meeting rooms for roundtabels on strategic collaboration
- international conference & panels
Creativity for contamination
Music & Performances
Illustrators Exhibition
International Art Contest
Coffee & Networking Corner
Program
DAY 1 - Tue 25 november
SHARE
CIHEAM Bari / Great Hall
16:00 - 19:00
Opening Event
16:00
Presentation of MIA WEEK 2025
DAMIANO PETRUZZELLA / CIHEAM Bari
16:30 - 18:30
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
Connecting Innovation Ecosystems: Empowering Change Through International Partnerships
Innovation never happens in isolation!
Today, true social and economic change takes shape when diverse ecosystems — public, private, academic, research and community-based — come together, collaborate, and help shape a new mindset, especially among young innovators.
This panel explores how international partnerships can drive inclusive and sustainable innovation across Africa and the Mediterranean, empowering a growing generation of young, educated, and entrepreneurial minds — a vibrant laboratory (Hub) of creativity and locally rooted solutions for global challenges.
The discussion will highlight how cross-border collaboration can strengthen local ecosystems, unlock shared knowledge, and enable communities and youth to drive their own pathways to change. By rethinking cooperation as a process of co-creation and open innovation, the session invites participants to explore new partnership models — where innovation becomes a truly global, interconnected force for transformation, with a special focus on the agrifood sector.
Welcome speech
BIAGIO DI TERLIZZI / Director of CIHEAM Bari
TEODORO MIANO / Secretary General of CIHEAM
- CARLO BATORI / Deputy Director General/Principal Director for general affairs and development cooperation policy orientation and for bilateral development cooperation policies and emergency interventions- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – MAECI
- AHMAD MUKHTAR / Regional Programme Leader (OiC) and Head of Strategy and Policy – FAO – RNE
- MARCO RICCARDO RUSCONI / Director of Italian Agency for Development Cooperation – AICS
- NIENKE BUISMAN / Head of Unit for International Cooperation in DG Research & Innovation – EC – DG Research & Innovation – International Cooperation
- H.E. PROF. DR. REZQ SALIMIA / Minister of Agriculture of Palestine
Panel
Moderator – DAMIANO PETRUZZELLA / CIHEAM Bari
Thematic facilitator – GIUSY MIULI / CIHEAM Bari
- GIUSEPPE ZEFOLA / Deputy Director of Training, Partnerships and Management Support (PMSU) and Assistant Director, Turin School of Development – ILO
- GIANPIERO MENZA / Senior Manager, Partnerships & Innovative Finance – BIOVERSITY
- MAURO BORIN / Head of the Projects Office – E4Impact
- ANNALISA PRIMI / Head, Economic Transformation Division – OECD
- GIULIO VINACCIA / Designer – UNIDO
18:30
Concert of the Apulian female vocal quartet “Faraualla”
MEET
CIHEAM Bari / Conference Room
16:00 - 19:00
Startup Exposition
CIHEAM Bari / Canteen
19:30 - 20:30
Social Dinner
by WORLD FARMER MARKET / CAMPAGNA AMICA
DAY 2 - Wed 26 november
SHARE
CIHEAM Bari / Great Hall
Focus Sistema Italia
organized by Startup10 Project
9:30 - 11:00
SESSION #1
Financial instruments for Italian companies in international cooperation
This session will delve into the various financial instruments available to Italian companies engaged in international cooperation, particularly related to areas such as Africa and Middle East. Experts from key Italian institutions will discuss strategies and resources designed to support and facilitate the involvement of Italian businesses in global development initiatives. The panel will cover a range of topics, including funding opportunities, risk mitigation, and strategic partnerships, providing valuable insights for companies looking to expand their international cooperation efforts. Some of the resources can be interesting also for international companies.
Moderator – MASSIMO ZAURRINI / Director of Internationalia
- GRAZIA SGARRA / Head of Office VII, Civil Society Organizations, Partnerships and Finance for Development, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation
- VINCENZO LORUSSO / Policy Officer – Science, Technology and Innovation cooperation with the African Union and bilateral cooperation with Rwanda, Nigeria and South Africa, DG Research & Innovation, European Commission (on line)
- MARTINA MADEO / Senior Officer for Partnerships & Promotion – International Development Cooperation – CDP
- MARCO COMELLA / Head of Corporate Relations for Central and Southern Italy, Participatory Investments and Subsidized Finance – SIMEST SpA
- ALESSANDRO CUGNO / Director of the Business Training Office- ICE
- GIUSEPPINA ZARRA / Head of PNRR Unit-DGSP Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
11:30 - 13:00
SESSION #2
The efforts of Italian companies in international cooperation processes
is session will explore the significant contributions of leading Italian companies to international cooperation efforts. Distinguished speakers from diverse sectors, including coffee, food, and technology, will share their insights and experiences in fostering sustainable development through global partnerships. The discussion will highlight innovative strategies, challenges, and successes in leveraging corporate expertise to address pressing global issues. Crucially, the panel will also examine the current financial instruments available for cooperation, providing corporate-led suggestions on how to optimize these tools. The goal is to identify pathways to strengthen the role and impact of Italian enterprises in development partnerships, particularly in the Mediterranean and Africa.
Moderator – MASSIMO ZAURRINI / Director of Internationalia
- DANIELE CARONE / Export area manager – ANDRIANI SpA
- ANTONIO DE GIROLAMO / Director of Industry, Research & Innovation – BTINKEENG
- GUIDO CALLIANO / Head of Business Unit Manufacturing & Agritech – BETACOM
- FILIPPO PROSPERI / Board Member of Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo and Business Development Director di De Lorenzo S.p.A
- VINCENZO BARBIERI / Chief Marketing Officer & Head of Design Lab – PLANETEK ITALIA
- ENZO FALOCI / Faloci & Partners
EMPOWER
CIHEAM Bari / MEDAB Training Room
9:30 - 13:00
Workshop
“Cross-regional exchange on policy, regulation and innovation ecosystems”
by D4D project – Digital for Development project
15:30 - 17:30
Masterclass
"How to plan your sales for the future"
by ANNA THOMLINSON
organized by SANET Project
MEET
CIHEAM Bari / Conference Room
10:00 - 19:00
Startup Exposition
11:00 - 11:30
3-Minute Showcases of Med-African Startups
14:30 - 15:30
3-Minute Showcases of Med-African Startups and Innovative Companies
CIHEAM Bari / Amphiteatre
13:00 - 13:30
"South-South-East”
Live Art & Music by MARINO CORDASCO (piano), GIACOMO MONGELLI (percussions) and VITO SAVINO (contrabass and painting)
CIHEAM Bari / Canteen
13:30 - 14:30
Light Lunch
DAY 3 - Thu 27 november
SHARE
CIHEAM Bari / Great Hall
Focus Innovation Ecosystems
CIHEAM Bari
9:30 - 11:00
PANEL #1
Palestine - The Innovation Ecosystem and Drivers of Change
Moderator – ENRICA SIMONETTI / Journalist of La Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno
PANEL
- H.E. PROF. DR. REZQ SALIMIA / Minister of Agriculture of Palestine
- PAUL GASPARINI / Rural Development Team Lead at AICS- Jerusalem
- GIORDANO DICHTER / Expert – CIHEAM Bari
- LORENZO MELOZZI / Project manager – SANET Project
Presentation of Palestinian Startups
- AHMAD AWARTANI / SANET Team of CIHEAM Bari
- ANNA THOMLINSON / Expert in Entrepreneurship and Incubation
11:30 - 13:00
PANEL #2
Digital Transformation: global challenges, mediterranean perspectives
co-organized with D4D – Digital for Development
Moderator – GIORDANO DICHTER / CIHEAM Bari
- SANDRO BAZZANELLA / D4D Secretariat
- FRANCESCO GENTILE / Delegate of the Rector for Sustainability – UNIBA
- STEFANO MERANTE / Senior Manager – ITCILO
- VLADIMIR CRNOJEVIĆ / BioSense Institute
- GIANLUCA NARDONE / Director of the Puglia Region – Department of Agriculture, Rural and Environmental Development
- GIOVANNI VAIA / Associate Professor in Digital Management and Global Sourcing Ca’ Foscari University
EMPOWER
CIHEAM Bari / MEDAB Training Room
11:30 - 13:00
Workshop
“The Power of Networks for Catalyzing Science and Innovation for Sustainable and Safe Food Systems”
co-organized by FAO-RNE and FAO-OIN
Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) and FAO’s Office of Innovation (OIN) propose an interactive session with CIHEAM Bari to present the Regional Food Safety Research and Innovation Network as a collaborative mechanism and platform for bridging science, innovation, and practice toward safer agrifood systems in the region; Showcase experiences from startups and regional incubation initiatives, highlighting barriers, enablers, and success factors for advancing food safety innovation; and facilitate a regional dialogue and exchange to explore pathways and lessons learned for addressing key barriers to scaling up innovations.
Moderator
- GIUSY MIULI / CIHEAM Bari
- BASSEL DAHER / Consultant FAO-RNE
- KARIM AMIN / Project Manager FAO-RNE
Keynote testimonials
- SARAH EL KHECHEN / Hack4saferplates
- TAMASNA EL MEHDI / Agrination
- RIMA HIJAZI / Berytech
Interactive Session:
- NIKOLA TRENDOV / Senior Digital Agriculture and Innovation Expert FAO-OIN
- NEVENA ALEXANDROVA / Innovation Officer FAO-OIN
15:30 - 16:30
Workshop
"Bridging Ecosystem: Startup Support Models between Italy and Med Africa"
organized by Startup10 Project
The workshop aims to share models, tools and best practices of support and support for Italian, Mediterranean and African startups
Moderator – DONATO MACARIO / CIHEAM Bari
- ANDREA CENSONI / Co-founder of Kili Venture and Africa Startup Roadtrip
- CARLOTTA CANDELARESI / Senior Program Associate di Foodseed e Incubation Manager – Eatable Adventures
- ANTONIO MARCO PANTALEO / European Innovation Council Ambassador (EIC)
- GIOVANNI DE CARO / CEO Volano
- RIMA HIJAZI / Innovation Agrifood Specialist – Berytech
MEET
CIHEAM Bari / Conference Room
10:30 - 18:30
Startup Exposition
11:00 - 11:30
3-Minute Showcases of Med-African Startups
14:30 - 15:00
3-Minute Showcases of Med-African Startups
CIHEAM Bari / MEDAB Training Room
16:30 - 18:30
Pitch competition for MedAfrican Startups
organized in collaboration with Puglia Region, ARTI Puglia and Puglia Sviluppo
Moderator – DONATO MACARIO / CIHEAM Bari
CIHEAM Bari / Amphiteatre
13:00 - 13:30
"Pure Imagination" Music Painting by GIULIANO DI CESARE
CIHEAM Bari / Canteen
13:30 - 14:30
Light Lunch
CIHEAM Bari / Amphiteatre
18:30 - 20:00
Networking Spritz
Med-African Music Selection
DAY 4 - Fri 28 november
SHARE
CIHEAM Bari / Great Hall
9:30 - 10:00
Mediterranean Day Celebration
Introduction by FRANCESCA VOLPE / CIHEAM Bari
PERFORMANCE
"Tra i pisci spada e i delfini c'è il mare"
by COMPAGNIA LA RUPE
10:00 - 12:00
Empowering Apulian Innovation Ecosystem for International Cooperation
co-organized with PUGLIA REGION
The purpose of the meeting is to analyze and share development pathways that position local authorities, regions, and municipalities as connection hubs with the innovation system in Africa and the Mediterranean. The goal is to foster talent attraction and activate collaborations between start-ups and innovative companies from Apulia, Africa, and the Mediterranean.
How can Apulia become a model of an international connection hub between innovation ecosystems?
How can Business Support Organizations (incubators, accelerators, TTOs, business clusters, etc.) and Apulian and African start-ups collaborate to strengthen their businesses?
PANEL
Welcome speech
- ELDA PERLINO / Councilor for Climate, Ecological Transition and Environment – Municipality of Bari
Moderator – DAMIANO PETRUZZELLA / CIHEAM Bari
- GIANNA ELISA BERLINGERIO / Director of the Department of Economic Development of the Puglia Region
- LUIS VIVAS-ALEGRE / Head of Sector, Research and Innovation Unit, DG AGRI, European Commission
- MARTINA DE SOLE / Director of European Network of Living Lab
- GIANLUIGI DE GENNARO / Delegate for the Third Mission and Coordinator of the BALAB – UNIBA
“Representative Discussants” - Voices from the fields
Voice from startups and incubators will act as representative discussants, helping to keep the conversation grounded in real world needs and challenges
Moderator – DAMIANO PETRUZZELLA / CIHEAM Bari
- PATRIZIO GUIDO ALTIERI / Business Developer & Startup Program Manager – BINP – Boosting Innovation Poliba
- FRANCESCO D’ONGHIA / Head of Open Innovation Unit – ALMACUBE
- ANDREA CENSONI / Co-founder of Kili Venture and Africa Startup Roadtrip
- AMEDEO GIURAZZA / Funder and CEO – Vertis SGR SpA
- VALERIO DE LUCA / CEO BeadRoots
- DAVID OGIGA / SOTE HUB – Kenya
- JULIE KHAWAJA / SHEGHEL EMEH – Lebanon
12:00 - 12:15
International Illustrator Competition Award
12:15 - 12:45
Final remarks & Recap video
MEET
CIHEAM Bari / Conference Room
9:30 - 13:00
Startup Exposition
CIHEAM Bari / Canteen
13:30 - 14:30
Final Social Lunch
in collaboration with “SLOW FOOD Puglia”
DJ set
by KINDBEATS
How to reach CIHEAM BARI
BY CAR
From the motorway, take the Bari Nord exit and follow the signs for the ring road (Tangenziale) in the direction of Brindisi–Lecce. On the ring road, take exit No. 13B towards Taranto (S.S.100). After about 4 km, turn right towards Valenzano at the Capurso–Valenzano exit. In Valenzano, turn right at the first roundabout towards Bari. At the third roundabout, turn left towards Ceglie. CIHEAM Bari is 500 m ahead on the right.
BY TRAIN
From Bari Central Station, take a taxi, alternatively, take bus No. 4 from the stop in the station square (Piazza Aldo Moro) or from the nearest stop (e.g. Corso Cavour). The final stop is at CIHEAM Bari.
BY PLANE
From Bari–Palese “Karol Wojtyła” Airport: take the new railway from the airport (“Aerostazione” station) to Bari Central Station (“Bari Centrale”), then take bus No. 4 from the stop in the station square (Piazza Aldo Moro). The terminus is at CIHEAM Bari, alternatively, take a taxi. As another option, take the airport shuttle bus to Bari Central Station and then take bus No. 4 from the stop in the station square (Piazza Aldo Moro). The final stop is at CIHEAM Bari.
BY BUS
From Bari city center, take bus No. 4 operated by AMTAB. You can board it from Piazza Aldo Moro (in front of Bari Central Station) or from other main stops along its route, such as Corso Cavour. The final stop is at CIHEAM Bari.
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