DRC and Cameroon benefit from 2.73 million euros to support 15 environmental research-innovation projects

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cameroon benefit from 2.73 million euros granted to support 15 environmental research-innovation projects. This is the initiative of the Institut de la Francophonie pour le développement durable (IFDD), a subsidiary body of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), and its national implementation partners (Kongo University in DRC, Eden Africa and Engineers Without Borders in Cameroon).

In fact, this financial support will make it possible to set up two laboratories for manufacturing innovations in renewable energy and waste recovery, and to develop 120 innovations in sustainable agriculture, agri-food, biotechnology, sustainable construction and health-environment.

This funding granted will also make it possible to carry out six national studies on the state of local and indigenous knowledge in terms of sustainable development, the needs, capacities and constraints of the private sector on sustainable development, as well as the financial capacities of actors of change to highlighting the technical solutions generated.

Support was also provided in terms of communication, popularization and appropriation of research results while supporting the capacity building of research actors.

”  With the awarding of these fifteen grants, we are taking a key step in the implementation of the Project for the Deployment of Environmental Technologies and Innovations for Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction (PDTIE )”, declared the Director of the ‘IFDD, Cécile Martin-Phipps.

For her, the IFDD is thus strengthening its support for research actors for the implementation of exemplary projects, close monitoring and the capitalization of conclusive results.

And to add: ” The adaptability and resilience of our societies require innovative solutions brought by our French-speaking youth to strengthen their empowerment through the device of market research “.

For his part, the OIF Representative for Central Africa, Mr. Alphonse Waguena, welcomes the fact that the PDTIE contributes to supporting a favorable and inclusive ecosystem for research, applied innovation and sustainable development in Africa. center and particularly in the two French-speaking countries of intervention.

“I am all the more delighted that the actions target strategic sectors such as sustainable agriculture, agro-industries, biotechnology, digital technologies, renewable energies, waste recovery or ecological constructions which are all priority areas with high added value for Central Africa ,” he said.

Note that the fifteen (15) promising projects were selected by an international and multidisciplinary jury within the framework of three calls for proposals organized between May 20, 2021 and February 28, 2022.