Deadline: 23-Jun-2026
AGRA is inviting eligible organizations in Burkina Faso to submit concept notes for a USD 2.3 million initiative focused on creating 58,000 decent and sustainable jobs for young women and men through the development of inclusive and climate-resilient market gardening value chains. The program aims to strengthen youth-led agricultural enterprises by improving access to production resources, climate-smart technologies, agricultural inputs, markets, finance, and business development support.
Implemented under AGRA’s Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) initiative, the project will establish 40 market garden sites over a 36-month period and support young entrepreneurs across vegetable production, processing, and marketing activities.
Overview
AGRA is seeking implementation partners to support the development of sustainable market gardening value chains that create employment opportunities and strengthen economic resilience among young people aged 18–35 years in Burkina Faso.
The initiative focuses on transforming vegetable production into a profitable and climate-resilient sector while addressing key barriers that limit youth participation in agriculture, including access to land, inputs, finance, technology, markets, and technical skills.
The project promotes inclusive agricultural development, with particular attention to young women and disadvantaged youth seeking sustainable livelihoods through agribusiness.
Funding Snapshot
- Funding Organization: AGRA
- Program: Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA)
- Country: Burkina Faso
- Total Budget: USD 2.3 Million
- Project Duration: 36 Months
- Target Beneficiaries: Youth aged 18–35 years
- Employment Target: 58,000 decent and sustainable jobs
- Planned Market Garden Sites: 40
- Focus Sector: Market Gardening and Vegetable Value Chains
About the YEFFA Initiative
The Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) initiative aims to improve employment opportunities for young people through inclusive agricultural market systems.
The program focuses on:
- Youth employment creation
- Agricultural entrepreneurship
- Inclusive value chain development
- Climate-resilient agriculture
- Women’s economic empowerment
- Market access and business growth
- Sustainable food systems
YEFFA seeks to strengthen opportunities for disadvantaged youth by addressing systemic barriers that affect participation in agriculture and agribusiness.
Program Objectives
The initiative aims to create sustainable employment opportunities while strengthening Burkina Faso’s vegetable production sector.
Key objectives include:
- Create 58,000 decent and sustainable jobs
- Strengthen youth participation in market gardening
- Increase productivity in vegetable value chains
- Improve climate resilience of agricultural systems
- Expand access to agricultural finance
- Strengthen agribusiness development
- Promote youth entrepreneurship
- Increase incomes for young farmers
- Improve food security and local economic development
What is Market Gardening?
Market gardening refers to the intensive cultivation of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and other high-value crops primarily for commercial sale.
Market gardening enterprises often focus on:
- Vegetable production
- Irrigated agriculture
- High-value crops
- Local market supply
- Income generation
- Small and medium-scale agribusinesses
Because vegetables have strong market demand and relatively short production cycles, market gardening offers significant opportunities for youth employment and entrepreneurship.
Key Focus Areas
Development of Youth-Led Production Areas
The project will support the creation and development of secure production spaces for market gardening enterprises managed by young people.
Key interventions include:
- Establishment of 40 market garden sites
- Securing agricultural production areas
- Land access support
- Site development and infrastructure improvements
These interventions aim to create productive and sustainable environments for youth-led agricultural businesses.
Climate-Resilient Agricultural Production Systems
The initiative promotes climate-smart agricultural practices that improve productivity while protecting natural resources.
Priority activities include:
- Sustainable vegetable production
- Climate-resilient farming systems
- Water conservation practices
- Soil fertility improvement
- Agroecological approaches
- Resource-efficient production techniques
Market Access and Value Addition
The project seeks to improve opportunities for young entrepreneurs throughout the vegetable value chain.
Areas of support include:
- Vegetable processing
- Product packaging
- Market linkages
- Distribution systems
- Value addition initiatives
- Business expansion opportunities
These activities help increase profitability and strengthen local agricultural markets.
Access to Finance
Financial inclusion remains a critical challenge for many young agripreneurs.
The initiative will support:
- Financial literacy
- Access to financing mechanisms
- Business investment opportunities
- Enterprise growth support
- Agricultural business development
Agricultural Inputs and Production Support
Access to quality inputs is a major component of the intervention.
Improved Seeds
The project promotes access to:
- Improved vegetable seed varieties
- Climate-adapted seeds
- High-yielding seed varieties
- Locally suitable crop varieties
Fertilizers
Supported inputs include:
- Organic fertilizers
- Mineral fertilizers
- Integrated soil fertility solutions
Ecological Crop Protection
The initiative encourages sustainable pest management through:
- Biopesticides
- Ecological alternatives
- Integrated pest management practices
- Environmentally friendly production methods
Group Purchasing Systems
To reduce production costs and improve access to inputs, the project supports:
- Cooperative purchasing arrangements
- Bulk procurement systems
- Collective input distribution mechanisms
Water Management and Irrigation Solutions
Reliable water access is essential for successful market gardening.
The project promotes efficient water management systems such as:
Irrigation Infrastructure
- Irrigation networks
- Water distribution systems
- Water storage solutions
Solar-Powered Boreholes
The initiative supports:
- Renewable energy-powered water systems
- Reduced irrigation costs
- Improved water accessibility
Drip Irrigation
Benefits include:
- Efficient water use
- Reduced water waste
- Improved crop productivity
- Better climate resilience
Agroecological and Organic Production Approaches
The program places strong emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices.
Composting Centers
The project supports:
- Community compost production
- Organic waste recycling
- Soil fertility improvement
Organic Fertilizer Production
Activities include:
- Local production of organic fertilizers
- Farmer-led input enterprises
- Sustainable nutrient management
Biopesticide Production
The initiative encourages:
- Natural pest control solutions
- Reduced chemical dependence
- Environmentally sustainable farming
These interventions contribute to resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
Youth Entrepreneurship and Skills Development
The project aims to strengthen the capacity of young entrepreneurs across the vegetable value chain.
Technical Training
Participants will receive training in:
- Market gardening techniques
- Crop management
- Soil management
- Water management
- Sustainable production practices
Business Development Skills
Training may include:
- Entrepreneurship
- Financial management
- Business planning
- Marketing strategies
- Agribusiness management
Institutional Support
The initiative will strengthen support systems through:
- Business development services
- Incubation support
- Mentorship opportunities
- Networking platforms
Expected Outcomes
Employment Outcomes
The initiative aims to:
- Create 58,000 decent and sustainable jobs
- Increase youth participation in agriculture
- Support young women entrepreneurs
- Expand agribusiness opportunities
Agricultural Outcomes
Expected impacts include:
- Increased vegetable production
- Improved agricultural productivity
- Greater climate resilience
- Enhanced input accessibility
Economic Outcomes
The project seeks to:
- Increase farmer incomes
- Strengthen local economies
- Expand market participation
- Improve value chain competitiveness
Environmental Outcomes
Benefits include:
- Sustainable resource management
- Reduced environmental degradation
- Improved soil health
- Greater adoption of agroecological practices
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must be legally registered organizations operating in Burkina Faso.
Eligible entities include:
Private Sector Organizations
- Agricultural companies
- Agribusiness enterprises
- Input suppliers
Producer Organizations
- Farmer associations
- Producer organizations
- Agricultural cooperatives
Youth and Women’s Organizations
- Youth cooperatives
- Women’s cooperatives
- Youth-led agricultural enterprises
Business Support Organizations
- Business Development Service providers
- Incubators
- Enterprise support organizations
Development Organizations
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Civil society organizations (CSOs)
Applicants should demonstrate experience in:
- Youth employment initiatives
- Agricultural value chains
- Entrepreneurship support
- Consortium management
- Community engagement
Why This Funding Opportunity Matters
Tackling Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment remains a major challenge in Burkina Faso. The initiative provides practical pathways for young people to build sustainable livelihoods through agriculture.
Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture
The project supports climate-resilient production systems that help farmers adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Strengthening Local Food Systems
Increased vegetable production contributes to food security, nutrition, and local economic growth.
Empowering Young Women
The initiative prioritizes inclusion and aims to increase participation of young women in profitable agricultural enterprises.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your organization:
- Is legally registered in Burkina Faso
- Has relevant implementation experience
- Meets AGRA’s eligibility requirements
Step 2: Prepare a Concept Note
Clearly explain:
- Proposed intervention
- Target beneficiaries
- Expected outcomes
- Employment creation strategy
- Sustainability plan
Step 3: Align with Program Priorities
Demonstrate how your proposal contributes to:
- Youth employment
- Climate resilience
- Market gardening development
- Women’s economic empowerment
- Value chain strengthening
Step 4: Establish Partnerships
Consider collaboration with:
- Producer organizations
- Youth groups
- Women’s associations
- Financial institutions
- Technical service providers
Step 5: Submit Complete Documentation
Ensure all required documents are complete and submitted according to AGRA guidelines.
Tips for a Strong Concept Note
- Focus on measurable job creation
- Demonstrate climate resilience strategies
- Prioritize youth and women’s participation
- Include sustainable business models
- Present realistic implementation plans
- Address market access challenges
- Show strong partnership structures
- Include clear monitoring indicators
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak employment creation strategies
- Limited focus on youth inclusion
- Poor sustainability planning
- Unclear market access interventions
- Incomplete documentation
- Weak climate adaptation measures
- Unrealistic budgets and timelines
- Insufficient evidence of organizational capacity
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the total funding available?
The initiative has a total budget allocation of USD 2.3 million.
How many jobs does the project aim to create?
The program aims to create 58,000 decent and sustainable employment opportunities for young people.
What is the project duration?
Projects may be implemented over a period of up to 36 months.
How many market garden sites will be established?
The initiative plans to support the establishment of 40 market garden sites.
Who are the primary beneficiaries?
Young women and men aged 18–35 years are the primary beneficiaries, with special emphasis on disadvantaged youth and women.
What types of organizations can apply?
Eligible applicants include private companies, cooperatives, producer organizations, incubators, Business Development Service providers, NGOs, and civil society organizations legally registered in Burkina Faso.
What agricultural practices are promoted?
The initiative promotes climate-resilient farming, agroecological practices, composting, organic fertilizer production, biopesticides, drip irrigation, and sustainable water management systems.
Conclusion
AGRA’s USD 2.3 million Market Gardening Value Chain Program presents a major opportunity to create sustainable employment for young people while strengthening Burkina Faso’s agricultural sector. Through the establishment of 40 market garden sites, improved access to inputs and finance, climate-smart production systems, and expanded market opportunities, the initiative aims to generate 58,000 jobs and build resilient youth-led agribusinesses.
Organizations with expertise in agricultural development, youth entrepreneurship, climate-resilient farming, and value chain strengthening are encouraged to submit concept notes that align with the goals of the YEFFA initiative and support inclusive economic growth across Burkina Faso.
For more information, visit AGRA.