The Sustainable Production and Supply of Food Challenge

This competition is a ‘first of a kind’ demonstrator initiative, on behalf of Cardiff Capital Region (CCR), Cardiff Council and Monmouthshire Council to accelerate innovation in the CCR region and enable projects to develop innovative solutions which can significantly improve the sustainable production and supply of food. Your project must focus one or more of the following themes: - Approaches to encourage and enhance knowledge within schools of the health benefits by sourcing from local food supply chains. - Dynamic integrated tools that optimize the supply and distribution of local food supplies. - Maximising renewable energy generation and local utilization from farm (and growing) assets whilst maintaining agricultural yields. - Innovative farming practices to reduce carbon emissions and increase yield: We are looking for applicants that can evidence identified partners / future customers, for the entirety of the project. The potential partner can be a public sector organisation, farmer or any other relevant party looking to tackle such a challenge, but they must be based in the CCR Region. For more information on the background and scope of the competition please go to https://sbri.simplydo.co.uk/challenges/public and click on the themes to register to attend an online briefing event. Alternatively, you may register for the briefing event via https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-sustainable-production-and-supply-of-food-challenge-tickets-695930997347 A recording of the briefing will be made available. Any adoption and implementation of a solution from this competition would be subject to a separate, possible competitive, procurement exercise. This competition does not cover the purchase of any solution. In applying to this competition, you are entering into a competitive process. This competition closes at 10am UK time on the date of the deadline. Technical and functional requirements - The demonstrator initiatives will be specifically centred around the ecosystems of Monmouthshire and Cardiff city region in South Wales. Solution holders will be expected to be working directly with the CCR regional stakeholders and CCR Staff in this area of South Wales. - Although carbon impact in conducting business is a primary concern to the CCR Challenge Fund and kept to a minimum where possible, some travel to South Wales would be expected where deemed necessary. - Applications invited to proceed with a demonstrator model will be contracted under Cardiff City Council using the standard SBRI (Small Business Research Initiative) contracting templates. - Invitations for pitching will be TRL 5 innovative approaches or above. TRL 5 innovative tech (and process) solutions can be deployed whilst demonstrating reasonable and surmountable costs for adoption within the user groups targeted. - Deployment and focus within the Monmouthshire and Cardiff area with a view to being scaled to the wider CCR region. - Demonstrator models will be deployed in South Wales and therefore lead organisations and collaborative partners based in Wales would be of particular interest. - Solutions that can demonstrate intention to strengthen local supply chains or local economy opportunities will also be keenly observed. - Demonstration of solutions that can be delivered within the required timescales will be required. We are looking for new and emerging innovations to create an evidence base for further development and scale, considering affordability and practicality.