BIO-EARN Programme Marked with Kick Off Workshop New BIO-EARN phase launched The BIO-EARN Programme (2006-09) was marked with a 'Kick Off Workshop' in Nairobi on 20-21 April 2006. Over 60 participants attended the two day workshop.  The purpose of the workshop was to launch an exciting new chapter of the BIO-EARN Programme and familiarise project partners, collaborators and programme managers with key implementation issues for the Programme to achieve its objectives. The BIO-EARN Programme has attained a high level of achievement during its earlier phases (phases I and II) and has now entered into a new area of collaborative 'research for development' (R4D). New R4D focus The Swedish Government, which provided most of the financial resources to support phases I and II, has approved another SEK77 million (approx US$10.3 million) to support this R4D phase. This new phase (2006-09) encompasses a network of 47 scientists from the region, 23 collaborators from outside the region, and 27 network institutions. The R4D programme aims at generating technologies for sustainable natural resource management, producing bio-energy and high value products from agro-industrial wastes, and enhancing sustainable agricultural productivity. Product development will be supported through an Innovation Fund and ways of developing public-private partnerships, technology incubators, and innovation hubs will be developed, together with the appropriate regulatory and policy environment, including intellectual property protection to encourage private investment in R4D. Scientists urged to be committed to impacting livelihoods Professor Esther Kahangi, BIO-EARN's new Regional Coordinator, presented her expectations which included setting goals and outputs within a given time frame to make progress and impacts of the Programme more visible. She urged the scientists to be committed to impacting peoples’ livelihoods through the use of biotechnology. She assured participants that the Regional Coordination Office will be actively involved in management of the programme and will ensure a high level of integrity, transparency and that the office will also be vigilant in identifying and addressing bottlenecks. For sustainability of the programme beyond 2009, Professor Kahangi proposed establishment of a BIO-EARN trust fund.   Concerted efforts required The major challenge that faces the BIO-EARN Programme is that overall programme management has shifted to the region. Previously responsibility for programme management lay with the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The concerted efforts of all network partners in the region will be required to ensure the Programme's success. To this end, there must be measurable research outputs and products that will earn BIO-EARN credibility for attracting further support from regional governments, industry, development partners and philanthropic organizations - not only to ensure sustainability, but also to contribute to national and regional development. Go to 'Kick Off Workshop' Highlights Download Workshop Program (48KB file) BIO-EARN News 22 April 2006 Go to News Archives to browse all stories