EIT Food Mentorship. Finding innovative solutions for water scarcity in Southern Europe Programme

  • 13 February, 2023
  • Project Focuswater management
  • Sector(s)agriculture

Activities

  • business plans
  • business mentoring
  • business models

Description

EIT Food is leading a multiannual and multidisciplinary programme designed to alleviate water scarcity in Southern Europe. The program considers water scarcity as a thematic field from agrifood to manufacturing.

The overarching objective of the programme is to find innovative solutions for water scarcity in Southern Europe and to ease the transition to a water saving economy and to contribute, in the long run, to reduce Europe’s water consumption, wastage and pollution. This will be achieved by targeting different stakeholders, from policy makers to business, industry leaders and citizens through different actions:

1- The Body of Knowledge is a group of experts working together to build knowledge around water scarcity, policy and financing tools.

2- The InnoWise Scale activities will support up to 40 scaleups working on innovative solutions to tackle challenges related to water scarcity in different sectors, through tailored mentoring and trainings.

3- The Water Academies are sectorial and technical seminars that will stimulate a learning environment and promote the adoption of water-saving technologies, sharing the latest findings and good practices in different sectors.

4- Outreach activities are designed to engage with people so that they can become agents of change and walk towards a water-saving economy.

The programme is implemented in several countries across Europe.

Services provided by WE&B

As a business mentor, the objectives of the assignment are to: 

 – support one startup, scaleup or SME during a three-month mentoring period (June- September). As a business mentor, the role is to attend be assigned a business to mentor where during the mentoring period, to coach the participants to help them to overcoming the obstacles, optimize resources and take full advantage of the business opportunities and beyond. During this period, the mentor shall commit to work together with his/her mentee in one or several areas, such as but not limited to:

· Product development

· IP management

· Customer needs assessment and engagement

· Business plan definition, development or review

· Finances

· Investment

· Pitching and public speaking

· Sales and marketing

· Internationalisation