Deadline: 23-Jul-2026
The Building Resilient Livelihoods Through Water-Smart Value Chains Request for Applications (RFA) supports projects that improve productive water access, climate-smart irrigation, and inclusive agricultural value chains across the drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa. The program aims to create resilient livelihoods and dignified employment opportunities for youth and women by strengthening irrigation services, market access, water governance, and sustainable agricultural enterprises.
Building Resilient Livelihoods Through Water-Smart Value Chains
About the Program
The Building Resilient Livelihoods Through Water-Smart Value Chains program seeks to strengthen agricultural resilience in the drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa through improved access to productive water resources and market-oriented irrigation systems.
The initiative promotes sustainable farming practices, climate-smart agriculture, and inclusive value chains that help communities increase agricultural productivity, improve food security, and generate sustainable incomes.
By combining water management, enterprise development, innovation, and market access, the program aims to empower rural communities while enhancing climate resilience and economic opportunities for women and young people.
Funding Period
The program supports projects for a maximum duration of:
- Grant period: Up to 23 months
- Implementation period: 1 August 2026 – 30 June 2028
Each proposal should be tailored to the applicant’s proposed solution and implementation approach.
Program Objectives
The initiative aims to:
- Expand access to productive water resources for agriculture.
- Improve irrigation efficiency and reliability.
- Increase agricultural productivity in dryland areas.
- Create dignified employment opportunities for youth and women.
- Promote climate-smart and water-smart agriculture.
- Strengthen agricultural value chains.
- Improve market access and value addition.
- Enhance water governance and institutional coordination.
- Support innovation and sustainable agricultural enterprises.
Focus Areas
Projects may address one or more of the following areas:
Productive Water Access
- Irrigation development
- Productive water services
- Solar-powered irrigation systems
- On-farm water management
- Efficient irrigation technologies
- Last-mile irrigation service delivery
Climate-Smart Agriculture
- Water-smart agriculture
- Climate-resilient farming
- Sustainable water resource management
- Resource-efficient production systems
- Circular bioeconomy solutions
Agricultural Value Chains
- Market-oriented agriculture
- Agricultural value chain development
- Value addition
- Quality compliance
- Product diversification
- Market systems strengthening
- Market linkages
Livelihoods and Enterprise Development
- Youth employment
- Women’s economic empowerment
- Agribusiness development
- Enterprise incubation
- Private sector engagement
- Entrepreneurship support
- Rural livelihood development
Water Governance
- Water governance systems
- Water user associations
- Community-based resource management
- Local coordination mechanisms
- Practical water by-laws
Innovation and Research
- Agricultural research
- Innovation
- Technology incubation
- Digital advisory services
- Evidence generation
- Scaling successful innovations
Institutional Strengthening
- Community mobilization
- Capacity building
- Policy engagement
- Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL)
- Knowledge management
- Multi-country programme management
Expected Project Outcomes
Successful projects are expected to:
- Improve access to productive irrigation services.
- Increase farm productivity and water-use efficiency.
- Strengthen climate resilience.
- Improve incomes through stronger agricultural markets.
- Support youth-led enterprises.
- Expand economic opportunities for women.
- Improve value addition and product quality.
- Strengthen water governance structures.
- Promote sustainable natural resource management.
- Increase adoption of innovative irrigation technologies.
Who Is Eligible?
The program is open to organizations with demonstrated expertise in one or more relevant fields, including:
- Water governance
- Solar irrigation
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Water-smart agriculture
- Agricultural value chain development
- Horticulture
- Aquaculture
- Circular bioeconomy
- Community mobilization
- Research organizations
- Innovation hubs
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Private sector engagement
- Women’s economic empowerment
- Youth employment programs
- Policy development
- Technology incubation
- Multi-country programme implementation
Why This Program Matters
Water scarcity remains one of the greatest barriers to agricultural productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa’s drylands. Limited irrigation infrastructure, weak market access, and climate change continue to reduce income opportunities for rural communities.
This program addresses these challenges by combining productive water access with enterprise development, climate-smart farming, stronger value chains, and improved governance. Its integrated approach helps communities build long-term resilience while creating sustainable jobs and improving food security.
How to Apply
Organizations should follow these steps:
- Review the Request for Applications (RFA) and confirm eligibility.
- Identify the water, irrigation, or value chain challenge your project will address.
- Develop a solution aligned with the program’s objectives.
- Design activities that strengthen livelihoods, irrigation services, and market systems.
- Include clear strategies for youth and women’s participation.
- Demonstrate institutional capacity and relevant technical expertise.
- Prepare a realistic implementation plan covering the 23-month project period.
- Submit the grant concept application according to the RFA requirements.
Tips for a Strong Application
To strengthen your proposal:
- Clearly demonstrate expertise in water-smart agriculture.
- Include measurable livelihood outcomes.
- Show strong community participation.
- Explain how women and youth will benefit.
- Present sustainable irrigation and governance models.
- Include market-based approaches rather than production alone.
- Build partnerships with local institutions and the private sector.
- Incorporate monitoring, evaluation, and learning from the outset.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common errors:
- Focusing only on infrastructure without livelihood outcomes.
- Weak market linkage strategies.
- Limited plans for sustainability after project completion.
- Excluding women or youth from project design.
- Lack of evidence for technical expertise.
- Poor monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
- Ignoring local water governance systems.
- Submitting generic proposals that are not contextualized to local conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for this funding opportunity?
Organizations with expertise in areas such as irrigation, water governance, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural value chains, research, innovation, enterprise development, youth empowerment, women’s economic empowerment, monitoring and evaluation, and policy engagement are eligible to apply.
What is the objective of the program?
The program aims to improve resilient livelihoods by expanding productive water access, strengthening irrigation services, promoting inclusive agricultural value chains, and creating dignified employment opportunities for youth and women in Sub-Saharan Africa.
How long can funded projects last?
Projects may run for a maximum of 23 months, from 1 August 2026 to 30 June 2028.
Which sectors are prioritized?
Priority sectors include irrigation, water governance, climate-smart agriculture, agricultural value chains, horticulture, aquaculture, enterprise development, innovation, and community capacity building.
Does the program support youth and women?
Yes. Economic empowerment of youth and women is one of the program’s central priorities, with projects expected to create inclusive employment and business opportunities.
Are innovation and technology encouraged?
Yes. The RFA encourages digital advisory services, technology incubation, innovative irrigation solutions, research, and evidence-based scaling.
What makes a competitive proposal?
Strong proposals combine technical expertise with sustainable irrigation solutions, inclusive value chains, market access, water governance improvements, measurable livelihood outcomes, and meaningful participation of women and youth.
Conclusion
The Building Resilient Livelihoods Through Water-Smart Value Chains program provides a significant opportunity for organizations working in Sub-Saharan Africa to strengthen climate resilience, improve agricultural productivity, and expand economic opportunities through sustainable water management. By supporting water-smart agriculture, irrigation innovation, inclusive value chains, and community-led governance, the initiative aims to create lasting improvements in livelihoods while empowering women, youth, and rural communities.
For more information, visit AGRA.
