Deadline: 31-Aug-2026
The K4GGWA Innovation Facility Call 5 supports innovations that address land degradation across the Great Green Wall region in Africa, including the Sahel and Horn of Africa.
It focuses on practical tools and technologies that can be used directly in the field by farmers, pastoralists, cooperatives, and restoration practitioners.
Key Focus Areas
Land Preparation and Planting
- Tools for efficient planting
- Land preparation equipment for manual, animal, or mechanized use
Soil Health and Carbon Retention
- Soil regeneration tools
- Technologies that improve organic matter and carbon storage
Water Harvesting and Conservation
- Rainwater harvesting systems
- Moisture retention and irrigation efficiency tools
Erosion Control and Soil Conservation
- Anti-erosion structures and tools
- Terracing and wind/water erosion control systems
Vegetation Establishment and Restoration
- Tree planting tools
- Reseeding and reforestation technologies
Labour Reduction and Productivity
- Mechanized or animal-drawn tools
- Equipment that reduces manual workload and improves efficiency
Eligible Innovations
Eligible solutions include:
- Hand-operated tools
- Animal-drawn equipment
- Tractor-mounted technologies
Requirements:
- Practical and field-ready
- Affordable and accessible locally
- Durable under harsh conditions
- Easy to repair and maintain locally
- Suitable for real land restoration challenges
Who Can Apply
- Innovators and entrepreneurs
- Researchers and engineers
- Manufacturers and fabricators
- Farmer organizations and cooperatives
- NGOs and restoration practitioners
Applicants must operate within Great Green Wall countries across the Sahel and Horn of Africa.
Funding Support
- Up to €30,000 per selected innovation
- Funding can support prototyping, testing, and scaling
- Focus on real-world deployment and adoption
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Effectiveness in land restoration
- Practical usability in field conditions
- Affordability for local users
- Durability in harsh environments
- Ease of local manufacturing
- Simple maintenance and repair
- Potential for wide adoption
Why It Matters
Land degradation in the Great Green Wall region reduces agricultural productivity, worsens food insecurity, and accelerates desertification.
This initiative supports:
- Soil restoration and ecosystem recovery
- Climate resilience and carbon sequestration
- Improved water retention and land productivity
- Reduced labour burden in rural communities
- Scaling of local green technologies
How to Apply / How It Works
Step 1: Develop Your Innovation
Define a clear tool or technology that addresses land degradation challenges.
Step 2: Align with Focus Areas
Ensure your solution supports at least one:
- Soil health
- Water conservation
- Erosion control
- Vegetation restoration
- Productivity improvement
Step 3: Submit Application
Prepare and submit your proposal through the official K4GGWA Innovation Facility Call 5 process.
Include:
- Technical description
- Use case and target users
- Implementation plan
- Expected impact
Step 4: Review and Selection
Applications are evaluated and shortlisted based on technical and practical criteria. Selected innovations receive funding support.
Common Mistakes
- Overly complex or expensive designs
- Lack of field practicality
- No clear maintenance or repair plan
- Poor alignment with land restoration needs
- Not suitable for local manufacturing
Tips for a Strong Application
- Keep solutions simple and scalable
- Design for rural field conditions
- Prioritize repairability with local materials
- Demonstrate real-world testing
- Clearly show environmental benefits
FAQ
What is this program about?
It is a funding initiative supporting land restoration innovations in the Great Green Wall region.
How much funding is available?
Up to €30,000 per selected innovation.
Who can apply?
Innovators, researchers, cooperatives, manufacturers, and restoration practitioners in eligible African regions.
What types of tools are eligible?
Hand tools, animal-drawn systems, and tractor-mounted land restoration technologies.
What are the key selection criteria?
Effectiveness, affordability, durability, practicality, and local manufacturability.
Where is it focused?
Countries in the Great Green Wall initiative across the Sahel and Horn of Africa.
Do I need a finished product?
No, but prototypes or clear working concepts are strongly preferred.
Conclusion
The K4GGWA Innovation Facility Call 5 supports practical, scalable land restoration tools that can be used across degraded landscapes in Africa. It prioritizes solutions that are simple, durable, affordable, and locally adaptable to improve soil health, water conservation, and ecosystem recovery.
For more information, visit Landscape Alliance.
