Call for Applications: Adapted Crops for Resilience and Green Jobs

The Adapted Crops for Resilience and Green Jobs Call for Applications supports projects that scale climate-resilient African-adapted crops, strengthen agricultural value chains, improve nutrition, and create green jobs for youth across Sub-Saharan Africa. The program funds integrated solutions that combine climate-smart agriculture, market development, digital innovation, value addition, and entrepreneurship to build resilient and sustainable food systems.

Adapted Crops for Resilience and Green Jobs

About the Program

The Adapted Crops for Resilience and Green Jobs initiative aims to transform agricultural systems in Sub-Saharan Africa by promoting the cultivation, marketing, and consumption of climate-resilient African-adapted crops.

The program supports integrated value chain development that improves agricultural productivity, strengthens food and nutrition security, expands market opportunities, and creates sustainable employment for young people. Through partnerships between governments, research organizations, businesses, and farming communities, the initiative seeks to build resilient agricultural economies that can better withstand climate change.

Grant Period

Approved projects may be implemented for:

• Maximum project duration: 23 months
• Implementation period: 1 August 2026 – 30 June 2028

Applicants should tailor their grant concepts to the specific challenges and opportunities in their proposed project locations.

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Scale the production and consumption of climate-resilient crops.
• Reduce agricultural yield gaps through climate-smart farming.
• Improve nutrition and food security.
• Create green employment opportunities for youth.
• Strengthen agricultural value chains.
• Expand market access for farmers.
• Promote value addition and agribusiness development.
• Strengthen public-private partnerships.
• Improve climate resilience across farming systems.
• Support sustainable agricultural transformation.

Priority Focus Areas

Projects may address one or more of the following priorities.

Climate-Resilient Agriculture

• Climate-smart agriculture
• African-adapted crops
• Improved crop varieties
• Sustainable farming practices
• Conservation agriculture
• Integrated soil fertility management
• Rainwater harvesting
• Efficient water management

Seed Systems

• Climate-resilient seed production
• Seed multiplication
• Seed distribution
• Improved access to quality seed systems

Agricultural Value Chains

• Value chain development
• Value addition
• Food processing
• Product quality improvement
• Packaging
• Aggregation hubs
• Market linkages
• Institutional market access
• Commercial market development

Digital Agriculture

• Digital advisory services
• Climate information services
• Agricultural technology
• Digital commerce
• Farm advisory platforms

Youth Employment and Green Jobs

The program promotes employment opportunities in areas such as:

• Input supply businesses
• Agricultural mechanization
• Climate advisory services
• Produce aggregation
• Food processing
• Packaging
• Digital agriculture
• Last-mile distribution
• Agribusiness entrepreneurship

Women’s Economic Empowerment

The initiative encourages:

• Business incubation
• Mentorship
• Enterprise development services
• Start-up financing
• Affordable agricultural technologies
• Market-oriented business models for young women

Market Systems

• Private sector engagement
• Enterprise development
• Market system strengthening
• Business model innovation
• Financial inclusion
• Public-private partnerships

Priority Crops

Projects may focus on locally relevant climate-adapted crops, including:

• Sorghum
• Millet
• Cowpea
• Groundnuts
• Pigeon pea
• Cassava
• Sweet potato
• Teff
• Fonio
• Other climate-resilient African-adapted crops

Geographic Focus

The initiative will be implemented in selected countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, including but not limited to:

• Nigeria
• Ethiopia
• Burkina Faso

Additional eligible countries may be considered under the program.

Expected Project Outcomes

Successful projects are expected to:

• Increase production of climate-resilient crops.
• Improve agricultural productivity.
• Strengthen seed systems.
• Enhance food and nutrition security.
• Create sustainable green jobs for youth.
• Increase opportunities for women entrepreneurs.
• Improve market access and value addition.
• Strengthen climate resilience.
• Promote digital agricultural innovation.
• Develop sustainable business ecosystems.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Research institutions
• Youth organizations
• Youth-led enterprises
• Digital service providers
• Agritech companies
• Private sector organizations
• Farmer organizations
• Agricultural cooperatives
• Financial institutions
• Enterprise support organizations
• Consortia of multiple organizations with complementary expertise

Why This Program Matters

Climate change continues to threaten agricultural productivity across Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in regions dependent on rain-fed farming. At the same time, youth unemployment and food insecurity remain major development challenges.

This initiative addresses these interconnected issues by investing in climate-resilient crops, stronger agricultural markets, and youth-led enterprises. By integrating production, value addition, technology, finance, and market access, the program supports sustainable livelihoods while strengthening long-term food system resilience.

How to Apply

Organizations should follow these steps:

1. Review the Call for Applications and confirm eligibility.
2. Identify the climate-resilient crop value chain your project will strengthen.
3. Develop an integrated solution covering production, markets, and enterprise development.
4. Include strategies for youth employment and women’s economic participation.
5. Demonstrate technical expertise and partnership capacity.
6. Prepare a realistic implementation plan for the 23-month grant period.
7. Submit a contextualized grant concept application aligned with the program objectives.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your proposal:

• Focus on integrated value chain solutions rather than production alone.
• Include measurable green job creation targets.
• Demonstrate strong private sector partnerships.
• Show how digital technologies will improve outcomes.
• Include sustainable market access strategies.
• Explain how women and youth will benefit.
• Present evidence-based and climate-smart approaches.
• Develop a practical monitoring and evaluation framework.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common issues:

• Focusing solely on crop production without market development.
• Weak plans for youth employment.
• Limited engagement with private sector partners.
• Lack of sustainability after project completion.
• Poor integration of climate resilience measures.
• Incomplete business models.
• Generic proposals that are not adapted to local conditions.
• Insufficient attention to gender inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for this funding opportunity?

Eligible applicants include NGOs, research institutions, youth organizations, youth-led enterprises, agritech companies, private sector organizations, farmer cooperatives, financial institutions, enterprise support organizations, and eligible consortia.

What is the purpose of the program?

The program aims to strengthen climate-resilient agricultural systems, improve nutrition, expand markets for African-adapted crops, and create green jobs for young people across Sub-Saharan Africa.

How long can funded projects last?

Projects may run for up to 23 months, from 1 August 2026 to 30 June 2028.

Which countries are included?

The initiative will operate in selected Sub-Saharan African countries, including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, and other eligible countries.

Which crops are prioritized?

Priority crops include sorghum, millet, cowpea, groundnuts, pigeon pea, cassava, sweet potato, teff, fonio, and other locally important climate-adapted crops.

Does the program support youth entrepreneurship?

Yes. Creating green jobs and supporting youth-led enterprises across agricultural value chains is a central objective of the program.

What types of projects are most competitive?

Competitive proposals integrate climate-smart agriculture, value chain development, market access, digital innovation, private sector engagement, and measurable employment opportunities for youth and women.

Conclusion

The Adapted Crops for Resilience and Green Jobs initiative offers a significant opportunity for organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen climate-resilient agriculture while creating sustainable employment and improving nutrition. By investing in African-adapted crops, integrated value chains, digital innovation, entrepreneurship, and market-driven solutions, the program supports resilient food systems that benefit farmers, businesses, women, and young people alike.