Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM)   

The project specifically leverages the joint expertise of two of its main branches: the Research and Innovation Centre (CRI) and the Technology Transfer Centre (CTT).  

(GIZ) The CLIMB project focuses on strengthening institutional capacity in Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries to support the digital transformation of agri-food and wine SMEs through climate-smart, data-driven, and traceability solutions. Leveraging the extensive expertise of the Edmund Mach Foundation, the project delivers applied knowledge on translating agrometeorological data into actionable insights and implementing stable isotope techniques for food authentication and fraud detection aligned with EU standards

The CLIMB project addresses the structural fragmentation and digital gaps that affect agricultural smallholders and SMEs in countries such as Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and several Balkan regions. While these regions possess deep agricultural traditions, local enterprises face barriers in accessing tailored digital tools, advisory services, and quality management systems required to compete in international markets.

Fondazione Edmund Mach (FEM) addresses these challenges by combining the expertise of its Research and Innovation Centre (CRI) and Technology Transfer Centre (CTT). The intervention is delivered through a "learning-by-doing" approach and a "Training of Trainers" (ToT) model to secure long-term sustainability across two core pathways:

1. Climate-Smart Agriculture & Agrometeorology: Empowering stakeholders to effectively interpret meteorological station networks to optimize farm-level decisions (water management, pest control, and frost protection) and regional programming.

2. Digital & Analytical Traceability: Providing baseline frameworks for utilizing stable isotope ratios analysis and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to verify geographic origin and detect counterfeiting, ensuring compliance with European Union standards.

Beyond technical competencies, FEM will share its experience in competitive proposal development and EU funding frameworks, conducting dedicated workshops to enhance the fundraising and project development capacities of local actors.

• Deliver a structured capacity-building program, including 4 in-country technical workshops and 1 advanced study visit at FEM.
• Establish a robust, long-term professional network and collaboration platform between EaP institutions and FEM.
• Develop asynchronous digital learning tools, including a series of subtitled video modules on weather data and isotopic traceability.
• Improve the institutional readiness of partner organizations to access follow-up funding for regional innovation projects.