In Belgium, the European Union and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will work together on a joint initiative to drive research and technical and organizational innovations across agricultural and food systems in developing countries. More science and innovation is required to address some of the pressing challenges posed by climate change.
The Commission will provide EUR 270 million, over the next 3 years to foster a strong climate change focus in agriculture and food systems research for development. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match this funding with a USD 300 million pledge over the same period to boost climate change related innovations through research in agriculture.
Given the size of the challenge and the need for urgent action, the European Commission and the Gates Foundation have started identifying priority investments towards putting research into use, fostering innovation in farming and food systems, and ensuring their climate relevance.