Focusing on women, the environment, and innovation, two Malagasy projects have been selected among the six initiatives for the 2026 Innovation Trophies organized by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD). Larissa Valisoaniaretana and Toziny Viva Elianah will represent Madagascar under the theme ‘Changing daily life, building the future, research committed to women and girls’.
Larissa Valisoaniaretana, a doctoral student, leads the ‘Sebio’ project, which focuses on designing sanitary products from local plant fibers such as banana, papyrus, and cassava cellulose. Her goal is to transform agricultural waste into safe, accessible, and sustainable products while building a bio-based industry.
Toziny Viva Elianah, a young researcher at LMI Mikaroka, focuses on natural resources and the empowerment of rural women with her ‘Mihary Vondro’ project. This initiative supports women in Belalanda in the sustainable exploitation of ‘vondro’ (cattail), while integrating quality labeling, mobile savings, beekeeping, and the transformation of waste into energy briquettes.
The two researchers are among six nominees from Madagascar, India, Ecuador, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso/Gambia. They will receive support in entrepreneurship and communication, and will present their projects in a 180-second pitch before an international jury. Two winners will be selected in the ‘Act Now’ and ‘Transform Tomorrow’ categories.
Captured & Published at: 2026-08-17 18:08:41 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://2424.mg/recherche-et-developpement-deux-jeunes-femmes-malgaches-parmi-les-six-nomines-des-trophees-de-linnovation-2026-de-lird/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=recherche-et-developpement-deux-jeunes-femmes-malgaches-parmi-les-six-nomines-des-trophees-de-linnovation-2026-de-lird