Heading Picture: Representatives of the consortium partners (INCiTiS-FOOD GA, WP5) 

After Nairobi (Kenya) and Ibadan (Nigeria), the INCiTiS-FOOD project chose Franceville, Gabon, and the University of Technical Sciences of Masuku (UTSM, in French) for its 3rd and General Assembly.

Project Officer Laura Bernard packed summer clothes, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts (you know why) and a bunch of GIM Tools in her suitcase, ready to endure the tropical climate of this country located in West Central Africa.  

The first morning was dedicated to visiting the Living Lab, located on the campus, where various plants are grown, besides fish (tilapia and catfish). The remainder of the time included, among others, various workshops on topics such as: 

• Hydroponics and aquaponics research experiments 

• Publishing and predatory academic journals 

• The commercialisation of insect-based fish feed 

• Writing abstracts and papers  

• Artificial Intelligence usage for research and writing 

WECF’s Contribution

Work Package 3 On Thursday 3rd, Laura led the workshop on Task 3.4. “Gender-Inclusive Analysis and Digital Market Linkages”. This task, part of Work Package 3, is concerned with the gender equality and social inclusion aspects of adopting Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) elaborated by the Living Labs.

A MVP can be, for example, a Dutch bucket hydroponic system (see below). It is a system where vegetables can be grown off the soil, allowing for efficient water and nutrient recycling. 

During this workshop, the Gender Analysis Matrix was put to the test with each of the Living Labs representatives. The exercise was insightful, as it revealed the shortcomings of the tool: confusion with some categories of the table, long to fill in, and a need for further instruction in the description.

This precious feedback enabled Laura and Danai (INCiTiS intern at WECF) to adapt the matrix into a clearer, more user-friendly version. The objective of the matrix is to collect and analyse socio-economic data in order to reveal what challenges are faced by marginalised groups, such as women and young people.

Women peer-to-peer community 

This GA was also the opportunity for an in-person gathering on the 3rd day, attended by all women (21 in total), from all ages and nationalities. You can read more about this grassroot initiative here.  

As the WPP community is also about promoting meaningful feminist participation, WECF sponsored six young women, each representing a Living Lab (see picture below) to join the General Assembly. This was possible thanks to the projects WomenPower 2030 and Funding Fairer Futures.  

Last but not least, Laura was invited to give a training to a small cohort of UTSM students on intersectionality and power dynamics, from which emerged interesting discussions around queerphobia, gendered upbringing, marital norms and gender-based violence.  

Future Steps 

• Data collection and analysis for Task 3.4.   
• Preparation of a confidence-building workshop for the women 
• Second Open Call  
• Contribution to a paper on gender dynamics in aquaponics 
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