Join a regional movement to empower safe food solutions for all!

The Hack4safeFood initiative, organized by the Research Network and Food Safety Innovation Hub (RNFSIH), is a regional technology and policy hackathon aimed at tackling food safety challenges in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) region. This event, scheduled for September 2025, seeks to empower safe food solutions for all by leveraging science, innovation, and coordinated efforts among multiple actors. The hackathon will bring together innovators, coders, policymakers, and private sector representatives to develop and upscale solutions tailored to local and regional needs.

 

Themes

  • Sustainable Technology and AI (Artificial Intelligence) for Tackling Food Safety Challenges  
  • Sustainable Technology and Policy for Tackling Food Safety Challenges

 

Who should apply?

  • Innovators and Developers: Individuals with a background in technology, particularly those skilled in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital solutions. They will have the opportunity to develop new AI-powered applications and platforms to enhance food safety.
  • Scientists and Researchers: Experts in food safety, agrifood systems, and related fields who can contribute their knowledge and collaborate on innovative solutions.
  • Policymakers: Government officials and policy experts who are involved in food safety management and regulation. They will benefit from developing policy innovations and adaptive measures to improve food safety.
  • Private Sector Representatives: Businesses and industry leaders in the food sector who are interested in enhancing food safety and quality systems. They can provide insights and support for scaling innovative solutions.
  • Academia: professors,researchers and students from universities and research institutions who can contribute to the development and implementation of innovative food safety solution

 

Eligibility Criteria

  • Applicants must be from Near East and North Africa Region
  • Applicants should exhibit a clear interest in food safety, digital technologies, and innovation and possess an initial idea related to the theme.
  • Applicants must commit to participating in a two-day, in-person hackathon.
  • A team should have no more than five members .

Participants Benefits

 

 

     
AWARD TRAIN ACCELERATE

Cash prize for pitch competition winner

 

Opportunity to pitch on stage at FAO’s Science and Innovation Forum

6-month incubation with expert mentorship (AI, food safety, business innovation)

 

Scholarships & internships in innovation and food safety programs

Access to the World Food Forum at FAO’s 80th anniversary

 

Networking across UN, public/private sectors & academia

 

Access to valuable FAO and partner datasets

"Innovation is essential to tackling food safety challenges in the NENA region, driving sustainable agrifood transformation and resilient food systems. The FAO Regional Office plays a pivotal role by convening Hack4saferfood fostering collaboration among innovators, policymakers, and technologists. This initiative will inform evidence-based policy development and accelerate practical technology solutions to improve food safety across the region.’’

 

Faten Adada

Agriculture Development Expert

FAO Regional Office for the NENA

 

“As a co-organizer of the Regional Food Safety Hackathon, the Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA) is proud to support this innovative initiative that brings together multidisciplinary teams to address real-world food safety challenges through practical, data-driven solutions. We believe that empowering youth, researchers, and entrepreneurs with the tools of innovation is key to shaping a safer and more resilient food system—both regionally and globally. This Hackathon reflects SFDA’s continued commitment to advancing food safety through collaboration, capacity building, and smart regulatory innovation, in alignment with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.’’

 

   

Dr. Amani Alqahtani

Director and focal point

Saudi Food and Drug Authority

 

 

Co-organizers & partners 

 

   

 

        

                   

        

 

                      

                                             

 Partners Supporting the Hackathon

 Our Hackathon is powered by a diverse group of leading organizations and experts who are committed to driving innovation in the agrifood and health sectors across the region. From mentorship and training to investment and incubation, these partners are here to elevate your ideas and turn bold solutions into real-world impact.

 

CIHEAM Bari
With decades of experience in Mediterranean agrifood education and cooperation, CIHEAM Bari brings world-class academic depth and regional reach. CIHEAM is offering two full scholarships for top-performing teams and will contribute high-level mentorship, facilitation, and jury expertise to guide both tech and policy-driven innovations.

 

Berytech
A powerhouse in Lebanon’s innovation ecosystem, Berytech empowers changemakers through its dynamic support for startups and SMEs. At the Hackathon, Berytech will deliver expert-led mentoring sessions, hands-on workshops on agrifood innovation, and offer post-event incubation and investment readiness support to select teams.

 

FoodSight
FoodSight is revolutionizing food safety and sustainability with its expert-driven digital platform serving agrifood MSMEs across MENA. During the Hackathon, they will mentor teams in both technology and policy tracks, join the final jury, and provide tailored post-event incubation support through pro bono coaching and advisory.

 

Goumbook
As a sustainability-focused social enterprise, Goumbook is bridging environmental innovation with entrepreneurship across the region. This will boost the Hackathon through dynamic facilitation and communications support, while also helping standout teams access incubation opportunities through their extensive partner network.

 

One Health Alliance Jordan
Driving cross-sectoral collaboration in health, One Health Alliance Jordan promotes integrated approaches to tackle pressing health challenges. The Alliance in Jordan will engage with participants through mentorship and training, helping teams craft solutions that reflect the interconnected nature of human, animal, and environmental well-being.

 

Ramy Bou Jawdeh
A regional leader in innovation and ecosystem building, Ramy brings unmatched experience from his work at Fermendom and formerly Berytech. He will support the Hackathon through personalized mentorship, jury participation, and strategic design guidance to help teams shape game-changing ideas.

 

Meet your Mentors

 

                     

 
 Rawan Alzmeili    Giusy Miuli  Ramy Bou Jawdeh     Fidele El Achkar Zeina NAKAT Dr.Amani Tharwat

Consultant

OHAJ

 Innovation coach

 CIHEAM Bari

Managing partner 

Fermendom

   CEO-FOODSIGHT Food Scientist

Professor

Zagazig University

 

 

Meet your Facilitators

 

        

 

            

                       
Elisie Sfeir Marie Deschamps Roya Mokhtabad Rima Hijazi Nevena Alexandrova Nikola Trendov

Accelerator Manager

Berytech

Program & partnership Director

Goumbook

Seniour Program Manager

Goumbook

Agrifood Advisor

Berytech

Innovation officer

FAO 

Digital Agriculture & innovation specialist

FAO 

 

Technology Category Policy Category

1. Novelty & Innovation

Utilizing novel technologies, bringing forth new and

unexpected ideas that could significantly advance the field.

1. Innovation (Novelty & Relevance)

  • Originality – Uniqueness and creativity of the solution

  • Intuitiveness – Whether the solution is usable and clear for end users

  • Relevance – Alignment with food safety policies and real-world needs

 

2. Impact & Relevance

Potential number of people impacted and the extent

of change it can bring to their lives. It also evaluates

the solution's ability to make a significant impact on the climate.

2. Understanding (Depth of Insight)

  • Problem Framing – Understanding of key issues across short-, mid-, and long-term dimensions

  • Situation Analysis – Quality of analysis including stakeholders and users

  • Clarity – Ability to summarize complexity, including risk factors

3. Scalability

How well the proposed solution can grow to accommodate increased demand. This includes evaluating the flexibility of the solution's design, its ability to handle a larger user base, and how efficiently it can scale with minimal additional resources.

3. Strategy (Applicability & Stakeholder Fit)

  • Stakeholder Fit – Consideration of users, policymakers, and food safety context

  • Impact – Policy alignment and potential positive influence

4. Experience & Usability

Evaluating the user experience and how intuitive the solution is for its intended audience. This includes the design of the user interface, ease of use, accessibility, and overall user satisfaction.

4. Communication (Delivery & Influence)

  • Pitching – Clarity, confidence, and skill in delivering the idea

5. Project Team

Teams will be evaluated on their operational capacity, relevant experience, technical skills, and commitment to diversity and gender equit

 

Timeline

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Schedule

Day 1

8:00 am: Check in
9:00 am  Opening,key notes and setting rules

9:30 am: Hacking begins
1:00 pm: Lunch break and networking
3:30pm: Coffee and snaks
6:00 pm: Mentorship on pitch deck preparation
7:00 pm: Hacking continues
Midnight: Food and snacks
 
Day 2

8:30pm: Wrapping up of solutions
2:30pm: Jurry arrival and briefing
3:00pm: Solution pitching
6:00pm: Result announcement and award ceremony
7:00pm: Closing

 

Any Questions?

If you have any questions about the Challenge or application process, please contact:

Digital-innovation@fao.org

Bassel.Daher@fao.org

Faten.Adada@fao.org