On 17 December 2025, innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, programme leaders, and policymakers from Africa, Europe, and beyond gathered in Brussels and online for the fifth edition of the Workshop Series: Implementing the AU–EU Innovation Agenda. Co-organized by the African Union, the European Union, and the Africa–Europe Foundation, this edition focused on “Innovations for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Energy in Africa–Europe Collaborations.” Participants included representatives from Kenya’s and Nigeria’s Missions to the EU, with around 40 attending in person and more than 250 joining online.
The Workshop opened with institutional remarks from the European Commission and the Africa–Europe Foundation, highlighting the strategic importance of AU–EU cooperation in climate resilience and sustainable energy. Discussions emphasized the Green Transition priority area, exploring its links with food security, sustainable agriculture, and public health, particularly in relation to climate impacts on vulnerable communities. Participants also received updates on the 2025 implementation progress of the AU–EU Innovation Agenda and upcoming opportunities for stakeholder engagement in 2026.
Experience-sharing sessions showcased initiatives that have benefited from the AU–EU Innovation Agenda, including the Horizon 2020-funded LEAP-RE Programme, the French-Cameroonian environmental intelligence start-up HENDDU, Nigeria’s Project Green Initiative, and the Horizon 2020 SESA project. These case studies illustrated pathways from research and innovation to tangible socio-economic and environmental impacts, while offering lessons on cross-continental partnership building.
The Workshop also featured the “Training and Capacity Enhancement Transformation Scheme,” providing participants with practical information on funding instruments, calls for proposals, and innovation challenges. Presentations highlighted concrete opportunities for innovators, researchers, and SMEs to scale solutions in renewable energy, climate adaptation, circular economy, and the climate–health nexus. Key initiatives included the LEAP-SE Programme, Alliance for Rural Electrification projects, RAISEAfrica, Horizon Europe Trans-Sahara project, and upcoming Horizon Europe and EDCTP3 calls for proposals.
Interactive Networking Café sessions enabled participants to explore thematic areas such as climate adaptation innovations, energy innovations for climate mitigation, and social innovations for a green and resilient transition. Moderated by experts from the European Commission, AU–EU Innovation Agenda Working Group, SANEDI, LEAP-RE, and the Trans-Sahara project, the sessions facilitated knowledge exchange, collaboration, and identification of potential synergies for joint projects and capacity-building activities.
The Workshop concluded with closing remarks reaffirming the shared commitment of Africa and Europe to advance climate resilience and sustainable energy through research, innovation, and partnership under the AU–EU Innovation Agenda. The biannual Workshop Series will continue in 2026, further strengthening the Africa–Europe “community of practice” in sustainability and innovation.
