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Innovative Banana, Plantain, and Other Musaceae Projects can apply for Funding in the INNOVA-VERDE Call for Proposals

• The call for proposals will award 20 initiatives linked to the value chain of this productive sector.
• Participants will receive support and training from the ACTIVA-CATIE Innovation and Entrepreneurship Laboratory.

Up to 20 innovative ideas related to musaceae production (such as banana, plantain, and abaca) will receive non-reimbursable funds, as well as mentorship and support, as part of the third edition of the INNOVA-VERDE Ideas Call for Proposals.

The call for proposals aims to promote diversification and productive efficiency among small and medium-sized musaceae producers, along with various links in their value chains.

Through these innovative ideas, the program aims to implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a focus on projects that contribute to the replication and scaling of Costa Rica’s Musaceae NAMA (Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action).

"With international cooperation resources, we continue supporting efforts to transform our production to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. This call for proposal is an excellent opportunity to identify and support innovative ideas that have a positive impact and contribute to the development of musaceae production, which is essential in many rural areas of the country," said Fernando Vargas Pérez, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock.

"We have already held two call for proposals—one for coffee and another for livestock—and in this third edition, we seek innovations for the musaceae sector that enhance climate change adaptation, create more resilient production systems, and scale up proven solutions for small and medium-sized producers," stated Sylvanie Jardinet, Development Cooperation Officer at the European Union Delegation in Costa Rica.

The call for proposals is open to small- and medium-sized producers in Costa Rica, linked to the musaceae value chain. Priority will be given to applications from women, young people, and Indigenous and Afro communities.

Vladimir Valera, director of ACTIVA-CATIE, highlighted that "As part of the application process, virtual and in-person workshops will be held across Costa Rica to explain the competition guidelines and application format. However, the main goal is to encourage participation, especially from young people, women, Indigenous communities, and others, to propose initiatives that strengthen the livelihoods of those involved in musaceae production while also enhancing GHG mitigation and sequestration potential, climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable resource use."

Winners will receive a fund equivalent to 7,500 euros in Costa Rican colones to develop their ideas. Additionally, they will receive support from ACTIVA-CATIE, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Laboratory of CATIE’s Forests and Biodiversity in Productive Landscapes Unit and its extensive experience in idea and prototype development.

"We are excited to launch the third edition of the INNOVA-VERDE Call for Proposals, through which the program promotes low-carbon agricultural production. We invite small- and medium-sized banana, plantain, and abaca businesses to submit their innovative ideas, especially those led by young people, women, and Indigenous communities who wish to transform musaceae production in Costa Rica," said Alberto Vega, Director of the TRANSFORMA-INNOVA Program for GIZ.

How to apply?

Project proposals can be submitted from November 29, 2024, to January 17, 2025, via the website activa.catie.ac.cr/web/innova-verde. After a training and induction process and the evaluation of proposals, the winning projects will be announced at an event in March 2025.

About INNOVA-VERDE

This competition is part of the TRANSFORMA-INNOVA Program: “Transformative low-carbon and climate-resilient pathways in Costa Rica: Climate-smart agriculture and value chains.” Through INNOVA-VERDE, 44 initiatives in the coffee and livestock sectors have already been funded.

This edition is executed by ACTIVA-CATIE, the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Laboratory of CATIE’s Forests and Biodiversity in Productive Landscapes Unit, and coordinated by German Development Cooperation (GIZ).

The TRANSFORMA-INNOVA Program is coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministries for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). The program is implemented by German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in collaboration with the Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), Conservation International (CI), Costa Rica - United States Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA), Fundación Banco Ambiental (FUNBAM) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).