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 even after the event
entrepreneurs
& innovation hub
organizations
experts
CALL FOR STARTUP
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
16:00
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
- STEFANO GATTI / Director General of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
- H.E. PROF. DR. REZQ SALIMIA / Minister of Agriculture of Palestine
- AHMAD MUKHTAR / Regional Programme Leader (OiC.) and Head of Strategy and Policy – FAO – RNE
- NIENKE BUISMAN / Head of Unit for International Cooperation in DG Research & Innovation – EC – DG Research & Innovation – International Cooperation
Panel
Moderator – DAMIANO PETRUZZELLA / 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 WFM / 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
- GIORGIO MASSOTTI / Head of Business Partnerships – International Cooperation and Development Finance – CDP
- ALESSANDRO CUGNO / Director of the Business Training Office- ICE
11:30 - 12:30
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 & Open Innovation Area – 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
EMPOWER
CIHEAM Bari / MEDAB Training Room
9:30 - 13:00
Closed-Doors 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 / Amphiteather
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
KEYNOTE
H.E. PROF. DR. REZQ SALIMIA / Minister of Agriculture of Palestine
PANEL
- MIRKO TRICOLI / AICS Jerusalem
- ANNA THOMLINSON / Expert in Entrepreneurship and Incubation
- GIORDANO DICHTER / Expert – CIHEAM Bari
- LORENZO MELOZZI & AHMAD AWARTANI / SANET Team – CIHEAM Bari
Presentation of Palestinian Startups
11:30 - 12:30
PANEL #2
Digital Transformation: global challenges, mediterranean perspectives
co-organized with D4D – Digital for Development
Moderator – GIORDANO DICHTER / CIHEAM Bari
- 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 / Assistant Professor in Digital Management and Global Sourcing Ca’ Foscari University
EMPOWER
CIHEAM Bari / MEDAB Training Room
9:30 - 11:00
Closed-Doors Workshop
“Cross-regional exchange on policy, regulation and innovation ecosystems”
by D4D project – Digital for Development project
11:30 - 13:00
Masterclass
“HOW MANY INNOVATORS CAN YOU MATCH?
Exploring the Power of Collaboration through an Innovative Network Mode
”
In this interactive workshop, participants will dive into the dynamics of collaboration within a new regional Research and Innovation Network model. Through playful networking activities and hands-on discussions, startuppers, incubators, coaches, and mentors will discover how shared values, collective intelligence, and cross-border connections can turn innovative ideas into real opportunities. The session aims to spark new partnerships and demonstrate how open, collaborative models can accelerate innovation across the Mediterranean and NENA regions.
organized by FAO-RNE
Moderator – GIUSY MIULI / CIHEAM Bari
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
- GIOVANNI DE CARO / CEO of Volano
- ANDREA CENSONI / Co-founder of Kili Venture and Africa Startup Roadtrip
- ALBERTO BARBARI / Regional Vice President – Italy, Eatable Adventures
- ANTONIO MARCO PANTALEO / European Innovation Council Ambassador (EIC)
MEET
CIHEAM Bari / Conference Room
10:00 - 19:00
Startup Exposition
11:00 - 11:30
3-Minute Showcases of Med-African Startups
14:30 - 15:00
3-Minute Showcases of Med-African Startups
16:30 - 18:30
Pitch competition for MedAfrican Startups
organized in collaboration with Puglia Region, ARTI Puglia and Puglia Sviluppo
14:30 - 15:00
Networking Spritz
CIHEAM Bari / Amphiteather
13:00 - 13:30
"Pure Imagination" Music Painting by GIULIANO DI CESARE
CIHEAM Bari / Canteen
13:30 - 14:30
Light Lunch
DAY 4 - Fri 28 November
SHARE
CIHEAM Bari / Great Hall
9:30 - 10:00
Mediterranean Day Celebration
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
MAURIZIO RAELI / Italian Government Delegate to the CIHEAM Governing Board
Moderator – DAMIANO PETRUZZELLA / CIHEAM Bari
- GIANNA ELISA BERLINGERIO / Director of the Department of Economic Development of the Puglia Region
- PASQUALE DI RUBBO / Unit “Policy Perspectives”-DG AGRI
- AMEDEO GIURAZZA / Funder and CEO – Vertis SGR SpA
- GIOVANNI DE CARO / CEO Volano
- ALESSIA GENNARO / EUREKA! Venture SGR Spa
“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
- ANTONIO MESSENI PETRUZZELLI / President – BINP incubator
- LUCA ALINOVI / CEO and Founder – AFLABOX
- ANDREA CENSONI / Co-founder of Kili Venture and Africa Startup Roadtrip
- DAVID OGIGA / SOTE HUB – Kenya
- BAYAN Al ABDULLAT / ADADK Jordan
12:00 - 12:30
Keynote
MEET
CIHEAM Bari / Conference Room
10:00 - 13:00
Startup Exposition
CIHEAM Bari / Great Hall
12:00 - 12:15
International Illustrator Competition Award
12:15 - 12:45
Final remarks & Recap video
by the Innovation and Knowledge Transfer team
CIHEAM Bari / Canteen
13:30 - 14:30
Final Social Lunch
in collaboration with “SLOW FOOD Puglia”
DJ set
by KINDBEATS
