Technology Innovation Platform of IFOAM - About

Membership form

What is the Technology Innovation Platform of IFOAM (TIPI)?

The Technology Innovation Platform of IFOAM (TIPI) is a research action network of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM),

What is TIPI's mission?

TIPI’s mission is

to engage and involve all stakeholders that benefit from organic agriculture research;
to set a research agenda setting by a grassroots network approach;
to foster international collaboration in organic agriculture research;
to facilitate exchange of scientific knowledge of organic food and farming systems; and
to help practitioners disseminate, apply and implement innovations and scientific knowledge consistent with the principles of organic agriculture.

Who is eligible to be a member of TIPI?

Membership is open to all stakeholders with an interest in advancing organic agriculture research. TIPI welcomes organizations and individuals to represent farmers, processors, traders, suppliers, consumers, scientists, state, foundations, individual donors and civil society. Full membership including voting right at the Member Assembly is granted to organisations and individuals that are also IFOAM members, further institutions and indviduals can become supporting members. Full and supporting TIPI member organisations are listed at the TIPI website.

How is TIPI organized?

As a platform within IFOAM, TIPI is an informal network and sector group that is self-organizing and self-governing. The members are able to develop its purpose, terms of references, goals, strategies and activities.

What is the relationship between TIPI and other organic research organizations?

TIPI is unique as the global Technology and Innovation platform for organic research of all stakeholders. It seeks to co-operate with regional, national and transnational TPs and research networks like the European Technology Platform for Organic Food and Farming Research TP Organics (www.tporganics.eu), SOCLA in Latin America, the Technology Platforms for instance in Hungary or the Czech Republic. It seeks to work constructively and positively with all organizations that are involved in organic agriculture research, technology development, and innovation. In particular, TIPI will help IFOAM bring together and mobilize different organizations working on organic research issues. IFOAM will continue to work with the International Society of Organic Agriculture Research (ISOFAR), and TIPI will be involved in that collaborative effort. Continuous discussions will be led with related stakeholder driven research platforms such as on animal welfare, agro-ecology, agroforestry, landscape, climate change adaptions and mitigation, soil and nature conservation.

Is there a fee to join?

Not at the present time. FiBL and IFOAM are providing funds and in-kind contributions to start the network and donations of time and money are welcome. However, some source of permanent funding will be necessary for the network to be sustained over time. Members are expected to agree upon a fair set of fees to help offset some of the costs to provide essential services and keep the network financially viable.

When did TIPI begin operation?

An organizational meeting was organized in conjunction with a launch at the BioFach World Organic Trade Fair (BioFach) in Nuremberg, Germany, in February 2013. Researchers and affiliates from all over the world were present at that event.

How do I get informed about TIPI?

TIPI runs the website www.organic-research.net. It is linked to the international organic research archive (depository) http://orgprints.org . It is possible to subscribe to the newsletter at the newsletter page of this website.

How can I join?

Please use our application form.