Tag: Innovación

Currently, the world faces complex global problems, which require new actors and partnerships that support the creation of adaptation solutions to these challenges. We have recently observed that non-traditional and innovative methodologies and actors, such as start-ups and other members of innovation ecosystems, are increasingly supporting international cooperation. They have been able to identify and create new opportunities for the generation of disruptive solutions for the sustainability of development.

Thus, in 2020 the project Enhancing the Coherence of Climate and Energy Policies in Mexico (CONECC), together with the Raw Materials and Climate (MaPriC) project in Colombia, coordinated the work of the Regional Dialogue on Innovative External Cooperations Workstream in the framework of the Sector Network for Environmental Management and Rural Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (GADeR-LAC) of GIZ. The work of this group focused on the development of research on sustainable development programmes and projects that use or have used innovative mechanisms in their planning, development and implementation processes. The purpose is to perceive the impact that external actors generate, as well as the innovative tools for the sustainability of international cooperation, and their influence on the work carried out by GIZ in the Latin American region.

 

GIZ / Elaboration Laguna. Infographic What are innovative external partnerships.

The study began with an incubation process, which later gave rise to research through exchanges and interviews with actors and internal and external projects in Latin America and Germany. These actors are distinguished by: the use of innovative methodologies that permit collective decision-making and the design of collaborative and agile strategies; collaboration with private actors that contribute to the work of GIZ as hubs and innovation laboratories, start-up accelerators, and more and, finally, in the identification of environmental, social and economic impacts–the results of which are derived from the first two categories. From this, 32 actors and projects were selected for research. The work carried out in this work stream was developed between April and March 2021 with the support of Hevas Innovation.

GIZ / Elaboration Laguna. Actors who participated in the investigation

This resulted in these collaboration schemes and examples of inspiring and innovative stories within GIZ: the Bolivian Innovation Fund, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Alliance in Ecuador and the Technological Innovation Hub in Querétaro HUBIQ, as well as projects external to GIZ such as Koga, nuup and Viwala, among other actors.

GIZ / Elaboration Laguna. Infographic – Cooperation with external agents in GIZ.

 

GIZ / Elaboration Laguna. Infographic – Emerging Innovation at GIZ

 

Finally, the webinar Regional Dialogue on Innovative External Cooperations took place: a space for exchange between GIZ and external projects, to present the results of the study. The event was attended by 30 people, who discussed the lessons learned from working with other types of actors and innovative methodologies, as well as their implications for international cooperation regarding sustainable development.

 

GIZ / Elaboration Laguna. Infographic – New horizons for International Development Cooperation.

For more information on the work and the results of the work stream Regional Dialogue on Innovative External Cooperations please download the complete study.

Contact: Juan Carlos Mendoza, Technical Advisor of the CONECC project.

Get to know the Secretariat of the GADeR-ALC Sector Network to learn more about this and other work streams in the Latin American region.

Solving and dealing with the climate crisis will require the joint work of various actors and sectors of the economy. Within these, innovation ecosystems are key communities to provide the conditions that favour the co-creation of disruptive solutions to climate change and the acceleration of efforts to reduce GHG emissions, aiming towards a carbon neutral future.

Technological innovation and entrepreneurship are undoubtedly ways to advance along this route. Innovation is not only considered as part of the set of effective global responses to the mitigation efforts of the following years (IPCC, 2021); it has also been positioned as a driving force to trigger processes of social, economic and environmental transformation. As well as guiding productivity, competitiveness and economic development, it is also a way to promote jobs, the survival and growth of SMEs and local value chains, among other benefits. Innovation is consequently a process to promote sustainable development and green and inclusive growth.

The Enhancing the Coherence of Climate and Energy Policies in Mexico (CONECC) project, within the framework of the series “Conversations for Climate Action and Sustainable Energy” carried out a First Virtual Conversation entitled: “Innovation ecosystems as an impetus for decarbonisation of the energy sector.” The event aimed to provide a digital space for national and international actors who actively take part in innovation ecosystems and in the climate change and energy sector. The aim was to exchange experiences and practices on those critical factors that will use the potential of entrepreneurship to contribute to a carbon-neutral economic growth based on innovation.

 

GIZ / Laguna. Official Conversation Poster

The event began with words of welcome from the coordinator of the Climate Change and Energy Cluster of GIZ Mexico, Philipp Schukat, and the Secretary for Sustainable Development of Querétaro (SEDESU), Marco A. del Prete, who highlighted the joint effort of GIZ and SEDESU to promote local sustainable development and to strengthen innovation ecosystems, for example through a Technological Innovation Hub oriented to climate action in the state (HUBIQ A.C.).

Later, Ariana Gómez, CEO at Technology for Impact, presented a keynote speech in which she provided context on how to approach climate change from an innovation perspective, as well as the challenges and opportunities that it provides. The central panel of the multisectoral conversation included the participation of the Undersecretary of the Environment of Querétaro, Ricardo Torres; Patrice Rimond, President of the Queretaro Energy Cluster and Director of Distribution Systems in Mexico and Central America at Siemens; Ariana Gómez and Morgan Babbs, Chief Innovation Officer at iluméxico. Each participant shared different perspectives regarding how innovation can strengthen business models, decarbonise the energy sector, and deliver social benefits.

The panellists agreed that technology is a tool that helps to achieve Mexican and global climate objectives, without ignoring the multiple social effects that it entails. In addition, the discussion focused its attention on the elements that can enable innovation ecosystems that place a central value proposition in connecting their actors, through the promotion of entrepreneurship, regulatory and public policy conditions, access to financing for innovation, and the participation of companies and research institutions, among other key factors.

GIZ / Carol Mota. Graphic memory of the Conversation “The role of innovation ecosystems to promote a future carbon neutral”.

“The father and mother of innovation are necessity and passion”

Mtra. Ariana Gómez

At CONECC, we believe that technological innovation is a catalyst to achieve sustainable development and climate action, and that innovation ecosystems play a very important role in achieving this goal. The actions of international cooperation for development to promote formats that foster innovation can be firm steps in the move towards a decarbonisation of the energy sector with high local content. We hope that this discussion has created a spark of change in its participants. The discussion reached over 400 views and an attendance of more than 70 people. You can consult the recording in the following link: First Virtual Conversation: Technological innovation for the Decarbonisation of the Energy Sector.

 

 

The links and alliances between sectors that make up the innovation ecosystem allow connections to be made, fostering dialog about common goals such as the strengthening of local competencies through technological innovation in sustainable energy and new cooperation models. This is the way HUBIQ—Hub de Innovación Tecnológica (Technological Innovation Hub) addressing sustainable energy in the state of Querétaro—has enabled the creation and promotion of these links between a range of actors such as businesses, the government, academia, MSMEs, start-ups, and entrepreneurs, driving the energy transition in the state and thus contributing to Mexico’s climate goals. HUBIQ was fostered by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the Enhancing the Coherence of Climate and Energy Policies in Mexico project (CONECC), and the Ministry of Sustainable Development of the State of Queretaro (SEDESU).

Recently, HUBIQ was legally established as a Civil Association (A.C.), a milestone for the project. This means that it can strengthen its role as an actor in the local and regional innovation ecosystem. Representatives of HUBIQ, the CONECC project, and Queretaro Energy Cluster, and LiCore A.C. company participated in the signing of the founding documents. They are founding partners and key allies in the formation of the Hub. Other prominent members of the Hub’s Advisory Board include Rosalba Cobos from Mabe’s Technology Center in Querétaro and Dr. Yunny Meas Vong, member of the Electrochemistry Technology Research and Development Center (CIDETEQ).

This is a breakthrough for the project as it positions itself as a platform connecting local innovation actors. It also fosters collaboration for climate action and bolsters sustainable energy technologies and business models in the state.

As a result of this, HUBIQ is in the strategic planning process to define its next steps and activities within the innovation ecosystem. These include fostering alliances with other innovation ecosystems, continuing the Technological Acceleration Program for MSMEs and start-ups, and the publication of a manual for implementing technological innovation hubs addressing renewable energy and energy efficiency. The aim is to communicate the steps and activities to consider, as well as the lessons learned, and to support the replicability of this innovation experience in the country.

The HUBIQ will soon participate in discussions about the CONECC project on technological innovation and innovation ecosystems for climate action and the sustainable and inclusive energy transition nationally, sub-nationally, and regionally. It is aligned with a sustainable socio-economic post-pandemic recovery.