A new five-year framework between the Government of Manitoba and EIT Food will foster two-way collaboration between Canadian and European agrifood ecosystems.
The Government of Manitoba and EIT Food have signed a five-year framework aimed at strengthening collaboration between Canada and Europe on agriculture and agrifood innovation.
The agreement, announced in Winnipeg and Brussels on 9 September 2026, will explore opportunities for research, innovation and knowledge exchange while connecting Manitoba-based researchers, businesses and institutions with European networks and potential Horizon Europe opportunities.
EIT Food, supported by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, will work with Manitoba Agriculture to explore programmes and initiatives designed to strengthen the province’s agrifood innovation ecosystem, improve competitiveness and support sustainable and resilient growth.
Building links between Canada and Europe
The framework is intended to create opportunities for two-way collaboration. European innovators will be able to engage with Manitoba’s agriculture and agrifood ecosystem while Manitoba-based innovators, researchers and institutions will gain opportunities to develop links with European partners and markets.
The agreement builds on EIT Food’s expanding engagement with Canada. In May 2026, the organisation announced a partnership with AgSphere focused on cross-border collaboration, including startup immersion programmes, exchanges, training and skills development.
AgSphere is also due to take part in EIT Food’s Next Bite event in Warsaw, where Canadian agrifood startups will be connected with European market opportunities.
Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said the agreement would help local producers and processors compete internationally.
Manitoba’s producers and processors are the backbone of our rural economy, and this collaboration strengthens the tools they need to stay competitive in a global market. By linking our innovation ecosystem with Europe’s largest agrifood network, we’re opening doors for new research, new technologies and new market opportunities that directly benefit Manitoba farms, local businesses and communities. This partnership helps ensure that the ideas and products developed here at home can grow, scale and succeed on the world stage.”
Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Agriculture Minister
Five areas of collaboration
The partnership will focus on five areas, subject to mutual interest and separate written agreements where required.
These include exploring Horizon Europe research collaboration, including potential links to consortia, partnerships, funding opportunities, pilots and demonstration activities where eligible.
The organisations will also examine ways to improve innovation and market connectivity between European and Manitoba-based companies, researchers and institutions.
Another priority will be applying EIT Food’s Knowledge Triangle model, which brings together academia, industry and entrepreneurship to support ecosystem development.
The framework will also consider future pathways and investment readiness, including potential roadmaps for programming, partnerships and investment. A fifth area will focus on global knowledge exchange and stronger connections between Manitoba and the European Union.
Richard Zaltzman, CEO of EIT Food, said the agreement would strengthen connections between Manitoba and Europe while supporting innovation across the food system.
This agreement offers EIT Food and our European partners a valuable opportunity to strengthen links with Manitoba-based innovators, while bringing fresh knowledge, technologies and market perspectives into Europe’s food innovation ecosystem. By connecting academia, industry players and entrepreneurs across our regions, we look forward to exploring how this partnership can drive our shared ambition in building a healthy, sustainable and resilient food system.”
Richard Zaltzman, CEO of EIT Food
The partnership will ultimately turn international connections into practical opportunities for Manitoba’s agrifood sector, helping businesses and researchers take new ideas from development to markets while building a more resilient and sustainable food system.
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