One Health in Agrifood Systems Recognition for Good Practices and Innovations

Deadline: 10-Jul-2026

Applications are open to recognize impactful One Health innovations in agrifood systems that show measurable real-world benefits. Selected innovations will receive official recognition at the FAO Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems, taking place from 21–23 September 2026 at FAO headquarters.

Overview

This opportunity promotes good practices and innovations that apply a One Health approach to agrifood systems.

It focuses on practical solutions that improve food security, animal health, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and resilient livestock systems. The initiative also encourages global collaboration and wider adoption of successful innovations.

Key Details

• Opportunity type: Innovation recognition
• Organizer: FAO
• Theme: One Health in agrifood systems
• Conference dates: 21–23 September 2026
• Venue: FAO headquarters
• Eligible applicants: Institutions, organizations, research entities, civil society, and private sector organizations
• FAO employees: Not eligible
• Recognition: Technical session and innovation pitch platform

Focus Areas

The opportunity supports innovations related to:

• One Health in agrifood systems
• Sustainable livestock transformation
• Food security
• Greenhouse gas mitigation
• Animal health and welfare
• Antimicrobial resistance reduction
• Sustainable livestock farming systems
• Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems
• Pastoralist knowledge systems
• Women and girls’ empowerment
• Small-scale producer capacity development
• Finance mechanisms
• Post-processing improvements
• Supportive policy frameworks

Key Concepts Explained

What is One Health?

One Health is an approach that recognizes the connection between human health, animal health, plant health, food systems, and the environment.

What are Agrifood Systems?

Agrifood systems include the full chain of food production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management.

What is Sustainable Livestock Transformation?

Sustainable livestock transformation means improving livestock systems so they support food security, reduce environmental harm, improve animal welfare, and strengthen livelihoods.

What is Antimicrobial Resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites no longer respond effectively to medicines. In agrifood systems, responsible animal health practices can help reduce this risk.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Institutions
• International organizations
• Regional organizations
• Academic entities
• Research entities
• Civil society groups
• Private sector organizations

Applications from the following groups are especially encouraged:

• Women
• Youth
• Indigenous Peoples

FAO employees are not eligible to apply.

What Kind of Innovations Are Sought?

The opportunity seeks innovations that are already implemented and show real-world value.

Strong applications should demonstrate:

• Practical impact
• Innovation and originality
• Inclusive participation
• Social benefits
• Scalability
• Replicability
• Long-term sustainability

Selection Criteria

Applications will be reviewed by an international panel of experts nominated by FAO.

Selection will focus on:

• Impact and practical application
• Innovation and originality
• Inclusivity and social impact
• Scalability and replicability
• Long-term sustainability

Benefits for Selected Innovations

Selected innovations will receive official recognition at the FAO Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems.

Awarded participants will be invited to:

• Present their work at a dedicated technical session
• Join an innovation pitch platform
• Showcase scalable solutions
• Inspire broader adoption
• Engage with global One Health and agrifood stakeholders

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Check that the applicant is an eligible institution, organization, research entity, civil society group, or private sector organization.

Step 2: Identify the Innovation

Select a successfully implemented One Health innovation in agrifood systems.

Step 3: Demonstrate Impact

Explain the measurable real-world benefits of the innovation.

Step 4: Show One Health Relevance

Describe how the innovation connects human, animal, environmental, and food system outcomes.

Step 5: Highlight Inclusion

Explain how the innovation involves or benefits women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, pastoralists, small-scale producers, or other relevant communities.

Step 6: Explain Scalability

Show how the innovation can be replicated or adapted in other contexts.

Step 7: Submit the Application

Complete the application according to FAO’s requirements.

Why It Matters

One Health innovations are important because human, animal, environmental, and food system challenges are deeply connected.

This opportunity matters because it:

• Promotes sustainable agrifood systems
• Supports animal health and welfare
• Reduces antimicrobial resistance risks
• Encourages climate-smart livestock transformation
• Strengthens food security
• Recognizes Indigenous and pastoralist knowledge
• Empowers women, youth, and small-scale producers
• Supports global learning and collaboration

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Submitting ideas that have not been implemented
• Failing to show measurable impact
• Ignoring One Health connections
• Providing weak evidence of social inclusion
• Overlooking scalability and replicability
• Focusing only on livestock without explaining broader agrifood system relevance
• Submitting generic descriptions without practical results

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Present clear evidence of impact.
• Explain the innovation in simple and direct language.
• Connect the work to One Health outcomes.
• Highlight practical benefits for communities.
• Include evidence of sustainability.
• Show how the innovation can be scaled.
• Demonstrate inclusion of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, or small-scale producers.
• Link the innovation to food security, climate resilience, and animal health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this opportunity about?

It recognizes impactful One Health innovations in agrifood systems that demonstrate measurable benefits and encourage sustainable transformation.

Who can apply?

Institutions, international and regional organizations, academic and research entities, civil society groups, and private sector organizations can apply.

Are FAO employees eligible?

No. FAO employees are not eligible to apply.

What types of innovations are eligible?

Eligible innovations should be successfully implemented good practices or solutions related to One Health in agrifood systems.

What are the main selection criteria?

Applications are assessed based on impact, practical application, innovation, originality, inclusivity, social impact, scalability, replicability, and sustainability.

What do selected innovations receive?

Selected innovations receive official recognition at the FAO Global Conference and may be presented through a technical session and innovation pitch platform.

When and where is the conference?

The FAO Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems will take place from 21–23 September 2026 at FAO headquarters.

Conclusion

The FAO One Health Innovations in Agrifood Systems opportunity recognizes practical solutions that improve health, sustainability, food security, animal welfare, and climate resilience. By showcasing successful innovations at the 2026 FAO Global Conference, the initiative supports global collaboration and encourages wider adoption of scalable One Health approaches in agrifood systems.

For more information, visit FAO.