OPEN AGRI: “Innovation in the Agri-food sector”

INNOVATION FOR WHOM, WHERE AND HOW?

11th June 2018

POLITECNICO DI MILANO ASIF Bisma

M.Sc. Urban Planning and Policy Design MUZAFFAR Wajiha
ERASMUS+ JEAN MONNET COURSE SBORLINI Antonela
EU REGIONAL AND URBAN POLICY TORRES Sally
MODULE 2 / A.Y. 2017-2018 VALVERDE Ariela
 METHODOLOGY AND STRUCTURE
ORGANIZATION OF THE PRESENTATION

RESEARCHING FILTERING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON CRITICAL

(Not manifested) Research question Background and Framework – Different Arenas ASSESSMENT

INNOVATION
UIA CHALLENGES EU KEYWORDS CASE STUDIES
FOR WHOM, OPEN AGRI
GENERAL GENERAL REFERENCE
OPEN AGRI WHERE AND BACKGROUND FRAMEWORK FRAMEWORK INNOVATION
HOW?

Understanding what is Focus (based on our Comparing the Comparison of main Comparing the Comparing proposed
the project about and understanding of the background keywords within the: project with other innovation with
its background. project) manifested in Open UIA Call, EU case studies (social implementation.
Agri with general and food innovation),
framework & Open
Actors, resources and information, in order to understand the Understanding
features. to understand the Agri project, as a social innovation convergences
main issues. way to evidence the during the design or /divergences,
main points that implementation of focusing on the
converge and the projects. research question.
diverge
 RESEARCH QUESTION
FILTERING

RESEARCHING FILTERING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON CRITICAL

(Not manifested) Research question Background and Framework – Different Arenas ASSESSMENT

INNOVATION
UIA CHALLENGES EU KEYWORDS CASE STUDIES
FOR WHOM, OPEN AGRI
GENERAL GENERAL REFERENCE
OPEN AGRI WHERE AND BACKGROUND FRAMEWORK FRAMEWORK INNOVATION
HOW?
 RESEARCH QUESTION
FILTERING

INNOVATION FOR WHOM, WHERE AND HOW?

The actors involved have an important role for the innovation in

Open Agri. They are crucial for understanding the ongoing
process and the future outcomes, as well as analyzing critically
the main features involved.

This research question constitutes a filter, through which we

decided to organize the information gathered in order to be
able to analyze critically the project. However, this does not
imply a lack of knowledge of other crucial aspects or a partial
view, it is just our chosen focus.
• UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON BACKGROUND AND FRAMEWORK
DIFFERENT ARENAS

RESEARCHING FILTERING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON CRITICAL

(Not manifested) Research question Background and Framework – Different Arenas ASSESSMENT

INNOVATION
UIA CHALLENGES EU KEYWORDS CASE STUDIES
FOR WHOM, OPEN AGRI
GENERAL GENERAL REFERENCE
OPEN AGRI WHERE AND BACKGROUND FRAMEWORK FRAMEWORK INNOVATION
HOW?
• UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON
OPEN AGRI - UIA PROJECT
The Call for Open Agri project
Entrepreneurship. Micro-enterprises and
self-employment, in the agro sector
(community supported agriculture, sharing
economy, new markets for quality food
producers)
Employment opportunities for the youth.
Unemployment Rate (14-24) 28,6%, young
population (15-29 NEETs) 17,6%. “Policy
Guidelines for Employment, Economic
Development and Research in Milan”
Milan food policy. Sustainable food systems
to deliver healthy and accessible food to all,
protect biodiversity and combat food waste,
making urban food systems more inclusive,
resilient, safe and diverse.
Disorganization amongst actors. Creative
distribution system and adequate logistic plan,
creating opportunities involving Public
Administration, experts and civil society. No
discussion of diverse groups in the proposal.
OTHER SOURCES
Urbact, OECD, Eurostat, Divercities report, publications
Spatial challenges. Peri-urban landscape,
complex mix city/countryside. Sustainable
development to overcome separation
urban/rural planning and separation of
functions to achieve multifunctionality.
Socio spatial challenges.
● Rise in Unemployment.
● Rise in NEETs.
● Foreign Discrimination.
● Rise in senior residents dependency.
Population growth challenges. Provide
sustainable and adequate food, reduce food
waste, respect the environment and workers'
dignity. Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (2015)
Institutional/political challenges.
● Governance complexity of Peri-Urban
Areas.
● Policies on Diversity.
CHALLENGES
GENERAL BACKGROUND
CRITICS AND REMARKS
Comparison UIA project with other sources
Place focused entrepreneurial activities
to harnesses the potential of the agricultural
workforce/knowledge that exists in the area.
Employment opportunities to young
people and entrepreneurs. However other
marginalized groups such as foreigners
and senior citizens are ignored in the
proposal.
Food as a catalyst to bring community
together in accordance with Milan Food
Policy.
The proposal has identified the challenge
however does not elaborate how it plans
to bring the public and private actors
together to execute this project.
• UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON
OPEN AGRI - UIA PROJECT
The Call for Open Agri project
Entrepreneurship. Micro-enterprises and
self-employment, in the agro sector
(community supported agriculture, sharing
economy, new markets for quality food
producers)
Employment opportunities for the youth.
Unemployment Rate (14-24) 28,6%, young
population (15-29 NEETs) 17,6%. “Policy
Guidelines for Employment, Economic
Development and Research in Milan”
Milan food policy. Sustainable food systems
to deliver healthy and accessible food to all,
protect biodiversity and combat food waste,
making urban food systems more inclusive,
resilient, safe and diverse.
Disorganization amongst actors. Creative
distribution system and adequate logistic plan,
creating opportunities involving Public
Administration, experts and civil society. No
discussion of Diverse Groups in the proposal.
OTHER SOURCES
Urbact, OECD, Eurostat, Divercities report, publications
Spatial challenges. Peri-urban landscape,
complex mix city/countryside. Sustainable
development to overcome separation
urban/rural planning and separation of
functions to achieve multifunctionality.
Socio spatial challenges.
● Rise in Unemployment.
● Rise in NEETs.
● Foreign Discrimination.
● Rise in senior residents dependency.
Population growth challenges. Provide
sustainable and adequate food, reduce food
waste, respect the environment and workers'
dignity. Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (2015)
Institutional/political challenges.
● Governance complexity of Peri-Urban
Areas.
● Policies on Diversity.
CHALLENGES
GENERAL BACKGROUND
CRITICS AND REMARKS
Comparison UIA project with other sources
Place focused entrepreneurial activities
to harnesses the potential of the agricultural
workforce/knowledge that exists in the area.
Employment opportunities to young
people and entrepreneurs. However other
marginalized groups such as foreigners
and senior citizens are ignored in the
proposal.
Food as a catalyst to bring community
together in accordance with Milan Food
Policy.
The proposal has identified the challenge
however does not elaborate how it plans
to bring the public and private actors
together to execute this project.
• UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON
EU KEYWORDS UIA
COMMUNITY LED Local economy
enhance workforce skills for business
PARTNERSHIPS
and job creation
Research and development
cooperation of entrepreneurs and
scientific/research community
PLACE-BASED Entrepreneurial culture
APPROACH innovative businesses i.e. local
ecosystems and business incubators.
INTEGRATED Inclusive labor markets
SUSTAINABLE equal opportunities for the
community, specially for
DEVELOPMENT
marginalized and vulnerable groups
INNOVATION Pilot projects
Highly innovative and experimental
proposals supported by UIA since
represent a high risk for traditional
sources and funding
URBAN AGENDA
Valorization of R&D
commercialize cooperation results between
entrepreneurs and research institutions
Place-based approach
local economic development by using
available resources
Sustainable economic development
Labor market, employment and economic
prosperity through an EU agenda regarding
“jobs and skills” topic
Education and Skills
High qualified workforce to achieve efficiency,
innovation, and inclusive labor markets.
EU KEYWORDS
GENERAL FRAMEWORK
OPEN AGRI
Community-led initiatives
foster inclusion, urban regeneration, social
and territorial cohesion projects
Open Innovation Hub on Peri-Urban
Agriculture: Living lab for open innovation
on different dimensions of the policy
challenge (entrepreneurial, social,
sustainable and technological)
Integrated urban approach
To face food issues in which food as an
emerging multidimensional policy involving
educational, ecological, social, economic
and spatial dimensions.
Innovation-driven inclusive growth
model: Hub that fosters cross-sector
linkages between different fields(agriculture,
food industry, culture, education) and actors
(SMEs, NGO,PA) with the main aim of
testing an innovation driven inclusive
growth model
• UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON
EU KEYWORDS UIA
COMMUNITY LED Local economy
enhance workforce skills for business
PARTNERSHIPS
and job creation
Research and development
cooperation of entrepreneurs and
scientific/research community
PLACE-BASED Entrepreneurial culture
APPROACH innovative businesses i.e. local
ecosystems and business incubators.
INTEGRATED Inclusive labor markets
SUSTAINABLE equal opportunities for the
community, specially for
DEVELOPMENT
marginalized and vulnerable groups
INNOVATION Pilot projects
Highly innovative and experimental
proposals supported by UIA since
represent a high risk for traditional
sources and funding
URBAN AGENDA
Valorization of R&D
commercialize cooperation results between
entrepreneurs and research institutions
Place-based approach
local economic development by using
available resources
Sustainable economic development
Labor market, employment and economic
prosperity through an EU agenda regarding
“jobs and skills” topic
Education and Skills
High qualified workforce to achieve efficiency,
innovation, and inclusive labor markets.
EU KEYWORDS
GENERAL FRAMEWORK
OPEN AGRI
Community-led initiatives
foster inclusion, urban regeneration, social
and territorial cohesion projects
Open Innovation Hub on Peri-Urban
Agriculture: Living lab for open innovation
on different dimensions of the policy
challenge (entrepreneurial, social,
sustainable and technological)
Integrated urban approach
To face food issues in which food as an
emerging multidimensional policy involving
educational, ecological, social, economic
and spatial dimensions.
Innovation-driven inclusive growth
model: Hub that fosters cross-sector
linkages between different fields(agriculture,
food industry, culture, education) and actors
(SMEs, NGO,PA) with the main aim of
testing an innovation driven inclusive
growth model
• UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON CASE STUDIES
REFERENCE FRAMEWORK

PROJECT AIM AND INNOVATION ACTORS AND TARGET GROUPS CRITICS / REMARKS

THE INNOVATION POLICY Participation and collaboration around • Government entities. Engaged target groups (communities) in
PLATFORM (IPP) knowledge sharing among vulnerable • Regional committees. design and implementation of the programme
communities and actors of the national • Financial and technical sponsors. by communicating them the objectives,
IDEAS FOR innovation system. • Universities, research groups, activities/ benefits.
CHANGE, Innovation: Involvement of target groups in technological development centres. Enhancement of local knowledge and
COLOMBIA design/implementation of policies. • Local community. endogenous resources.

INNOVATION LAB (I-Lab) Meet the challenges of the population of • Private Companies. The project developed a methodology
Aysén. • Local and social Organizations. (which required the participation of multiple
SOCIAL Innovation: Citizens define and prioritize • Regional Actors. actors). (1) Definition of problems. (2)
INNOVATION their problems, getting connected with • Public Workers (merchants, Prioritization of needs (3) Proposal of
AYSEN, CHILE other actors. owners of restaurants, student solutions (4) Selection of best solutions
leaders, doctors, professors) (5)Implementation of best solutions.

Promote a sustainable and integrated
development agenda in Osa Peninsula.
Innovation: Creation of community-based
CAMINOS DE OSA,
tourism destination with the inclusion of
COSTA RICA targets groups in the whole process.
• Rural/tourism entrepreneurs. The tourist entrepreneurs received support
• Tourism Board / Institute of Tourism. from diverse actors. The key was working
• University students. as a team.
• CRUSA Foundation.
• National Park.
• Minister of the Environment /
Economy and commerce.

Ireland. Boyne Valley Food Hub to accelerate food innovation and • Government agencies. An innovation center focused on meeting the
Strategy (2016-2021)
research. • Academic-research institutions. short/medium term problems faced by
FOOD INNOVATION Innovation: Collaborative partnerships • Food companies, large and small. food startups and SME trying to grow
CENTRE IN BOYNE create scalable and sustainable food through existing/new products and services to
agribusinesses. existing/new markets.
VALLEY, IRELAND
 OPEN AGRI INNOVATION
CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

RESEARCHING FILTERING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON CRITICAL

(Not manifested) Research question Background and Framework – Different Arenas ASSESSMENT

INNOVATION
UIA CHALLENGES EU KEYWORDS CASE STUDIES
FOR WHOM, OPEN AGRI
GENERAL GENERAL REFERENCE
OPEN AGRI WHERE AND BACKGROUND FRAMEWORK FRAMEWORK INNOVATION
HOW?
• INNOVATION WHERE AND HOW? OPEN AGRI INNOVATION
CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

PROPOSED INNOVATIVE FEATURE IMPLEMENTATION CRITICS AND REMARKS

Creation of an “Open Innovation Hub on Physical regeneration. Cascina Nosedo. Host Traditional Urban regeneration process.
Peri-Urban Agriculture”, a living lab for new functions (social inclusion is mentioned Could be more “innovative” to focus on the
promoting open innovation in the field of in the project*). surrounding open space, due to the
agri-food (pag.34)*. characteristics of the area.
Regenerate the area while testing activities
Location an innovative urban service related to food (presence of endogenous Not enhanced potential of the area.
(pag.34)*. resources).
Possible problems related with timing
Establish a place where innovative actors and economic resources.
could meet and exchange ideas.

WP8: Open Agri physical

infrastructure*

45% • Municipality of Milan (owner of

the area) – LOCAL PUBLIC
Total
AUTHORITY
Budget
• ImpattoZero srl - PRIVATE
SME.

*Extracted from Open Agri Project

• INNOVATION FOR WHOM?
PROPOSED INNOVATIVE FEATURE
Local and citywide actors. Connect
stakeholders at different level and territorial
scales (pag.36)*.
Involve SMEs and start-uppers (pag.36)*.
Build new professional skills dedicated to
NEET and the local community (pag.35)*.
Community led initiatives. Opportunities
for inclusion of disadvantaged social
groups through training. URBACT
methodology – BOOSTINNO (pag.34)*.
Social Innovation (secondary outcome).
Consistent with the municipal strategy
“Innovate for including” (pag.35)*.
*Extracted from Open Agri Project
OPEN AGRI INNOVATION
CRITICAL ASSESSMENT
IMPLEMENTATION CRITICS AND REMARKS
Selection of projects. 18 proposals selected Not free involvement of the local
by an expert commission. community. Selection process in line with
the partners’ aims.
Target Groups. Entrepreneurs, young people
<40, start-ups, small and medium enterprises, Foster innovation by putting together
social cooperatives, NGOs. “innovative” actors in a common
environment provided by a “traditional” actor,
Main
partners
37% 25% based in traditional guidelines.
UNIVERSITIES SME’S
Not clear information about how Social innovation should benefit society
disadvantages groups are included. as a whole (Not only private actors).
Interesting partner SUNUGAL (Cascina Social innovation seeks answers to social
Casotello – Minimum role in the innovation problems by identifying and implementing
Hub). new labor market integration processes, new
competencies, new jobs and new forms of
participation.
 OPEN AGRI INNOVATION
FINAL COMMENTS

RESEARCHING FILTERING UNDERSTANDING THROUGH COMPARISON CRITICAL

(Not manifested) Research question Background and Framework – Different Arenas ASSESSMENT

INNOVATION
UIA CHALLENGES EU KEYWORDS CASE STUDIES
FOR WHOM, OPEN AGRI
GENERAL GENERAL REFERENCE
OPEN AGRI WHERE AND BACKGROUND FRAMEWORK FRAMEWORK INNOVATION
HOW?

Place focused Convergence of aims: Great level of social Traditional Urban

entrepreneurial and entrepreneurship, innovation, which Regeneration
employment public-private entity involve target process where the
opportunities for partnerships, groups in design innovation is to be
young population to research & education and/or developed in the
harnesses the and local market implementation of future boosting the
potential of the incentives. the projects. synergies between
agricultural innovative actors.
workforce/knowledg Vague indications on No information
e that exists in the how the “social about the role of Not real social
area. innovation and target groups during innovation process.
inclusion” will be the development.
Marginalized groups addressed, regarding Most of the
(foreigners and local vulnerable and Different actors endogenous
senior citizens) are marginalized involved of different resources not
ignored. populations. types. enhanced.

● Adams, Eddy. URBACT: The growing role of food in fixing our cities. 24
July 2017.
● Barberis, Eduardo, Yuri Kazepov and Alba Angelucci. "Assessment of
Urban Policies in Milan, Italy." 2014.
● Briata, P. (2018) “Keywords - New policy cycle 2014-20 Social
Innovation”. Presentation. Jean Monnet Course Module 02.
● Bonari, E.; Galli, M.; Lardon, S. and Marraccini, E. (2010). “Agricultural
management in peri-urban areas: The experience of an international
workshop”. Felici Ed. Ghezzano (PI), Italy.
● Christine Aubry, Leïla Kebir: Shortening food supply chains: A means for
maintaining agriculture close to urban areas? The case of the French
metropolitan area of Paris, in Food Policy 41 (2013), Elsevier,
Amsterdam, 2013.
● Comune di Milano. “Linee di indirizzo della Food Policy di Milano
2015-2020” (www.comune.milano.it/foodpolicy).
● Ranci, Costanzo, Giuliana Costa and Stefania Sabatinelli. "Welfare
innovations at the local level in favour of cohesion; Milan City Report."
2010.
● Sgaragli, Fabio and Fabrizio Montanari. "Milan White Paper on Social
Innovation: Accelerating Milan’s local ecosystem for social innovation."
n.d.
● Sousa, Miguel. "The OpenAgri Project." 2017.
● Wandl, Alexander and Marcello Magoni. "Sustainable Planning of
Peri-Urban Areas: Introduction to Special Issue." Planning Practice &
Research (2016): 1-3.
● Wolkowinski, Peter. URBACT: Why cities and their governance are vital
keys to boosting social innovation. 24 January 2017.
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POLITECNICO DI MILANO ASIF Bisma
M.Sc. Urban Planning and Policy Design MUZAFFAR Wajiha
ERASMUS+ JEAN MONNET COURSE SBORLINI Antonela
EU REGIONAL AND URBAN POLICY TORRES Sally
MODULE 2 / A.Y. 2017-2018 VALVERDE Ariela