Author: mario de leon

Within the framework of the regional project "Strengthening inclusive science and innovation systems in Latin America through a collaborative research network", led by the Central American Higher University Council (CSUCA), with the financial support of the International Development Research Center (IDRC) of Canada, the "First Public Call for Proposals" was launched, between February 28, 2023 and March 1, 2023. 

The public call was aimed at strengthening the research-innovation-inclusion nexus in the Central American region and the Caribbean, in its two complementary aspects: innovation for inclusion when the focus is on the results of the process; and inclusive innovation when it refers to a participatory process through which innovation emerges.

In response to the call, 73 proposals were received, of which, after a thorough evaluation, 16 projects were chosen to be implemented, which will have an implementation duration of 22 months, starting in January 2024. The selected proposals include at least one of the four thematic axes established by the CSUCA and the Central American and Caribbean Regional Research and Postgraduate System (SIRCIP), through the Regional Research Agenda:

? Territoriality, risk and local development,
? Economic growth, productivity, competitiveness and sustainable development,
? Digital transformation, automation, artificial intelligence and
? Data science, climate change and environmental management.

The process of selection and initiation of these projects has involved a series of strategic events such as the development of workshops with the leaders and researchers of each project, individual meetings with each project of a technical and administrative nature, distribution of instructions on how to advance in monitoring. and evaluation of projects, instructions on forms of communication and dissemination of project results. During the workshops and follow-up meetings, emphasis was placed on the need to deepen the innovation nexus in each project. inclusion and inclusive innovation with a gender equity focus.
The 16 projects selected in this first call are the following:
1. Use of carao, teosinte and mangosteen for the development of functional foods as a food and nutritional security strategy for Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.

2. Local territorial development for equitable and sustainable economic growth in Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica and Panama.

3. Towards SMART and Sustainable water management in Central American communities, through innovative and inclusive research and education (SMART-S Water Management) (Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica).

4. Strengthening environmental competencies in communities through technological and methodological innovation to promote resilience in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change in the canton of Heredia, Costa Rica, in the district of Almirante, Bocas del Toro, Panama and from the Achí de Rabinal indigenous community in the department of Baja Verapaz, Guatemala.

5. Multicenter validation of an Artificial Intelligence application, developed by Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, for the identification of intestinal parasites.

6. Central American Consortium of High Performance Computing for Socio-environmental Applications: towards the inclusion in science of women and groups originating from the region. (Costa Rica, El Salvador and Panama).

7. Consortium for the development of innovative and inclusive research on problems related to climate change and renewable energies in Central America and the Dominican Republic. (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Belize).

8. Strengthening risk management in agri-food systems that contributes to food and nutritional security to face the climate variability of the dry corridor of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras 2023-2024.
9. Equity in a just transition. Promoting the participation of the Central American region in the IPCC reports "Central American Network on Climate Change (RC4)". (Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Panama)

10. Implementation of a research network supported by data sciences that empowers and inspires women to develop capacities to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. (Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico).

11. Consolidation of the Central American Network of Innovation and Research for Fair Access to Habitat and Understanding of Metropolitan Architectures. Horizontal, inclusive and collaborative dialogues between Metropolitan Areas of Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala and Mexico.

12. Tools for the defense of the territory of indigenous communities in Costa Rica, Honduras and Guatemala.

13. Technological Innovation, Social Inclusion and Environmental Management for the identification of variables of sustainable community development in Central America. (Guatemala, Costa Rica and Panama).

14. Consolidation of the Central American Network for Research in Critical Extension (RECIEC), Stage II. (Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama).

15. Strengthening the economic conditions of indigenous women in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador within the framework of the second Sustainable Development Goal: Zero Hunger.

16. Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Food and Nutrition Security: Innovation and Conservation. (Panama, Guatemala and Nicaragua).

The objectives of these projects are aimed at promoting joint work between universities, governments, multilateral bodies, companies, entrepreneurs, community groups, as well as giving value to scientific collaboration within the Central American region, allowing their results to be translated into processes. of economic, social and environmental development.  
The projects are expected to identify challenges or needs of the various vulnerable groups or sectors in the Central American region and to improve conditions of gender equity, also supporting the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals and regional policies.