Deadline: 18-Jul-25
A new grant opportunity is now open to support the transition toward sustainable and resilient food systems in the Central African region. This call for proposals invites organizations to scale up agroecological innovations that are locally adapted, economically viable, and environmentally sound.
The main aim of this funding initiative is to foster agricultural systems that rely on ecological principles rather than chemical inputs. It encourages the adoption of agroecological practices validated by producers, supported by appropriate technical, economic, and institutional systems. The ultimate goal is to promote food systems that are inclusive, climate-resilient, and aligned with local development.
Eligible project themes include alternatives to chemical inputs, circular economy models for agricultural waste, climate adaptation strategies, reduction of food waste and post-harvest losses, and innovations in market incentives or private sector engagement. Agroecological innovations in both crop and livestock systems are also prioritized.
Applicants can request funding ranging from EUR 150,000 to EUR 230,000 per project. Funded activities must produce clear, scalable results. This includes identifying and adapting agroecological practices, evaluating their performance in real-world conditions, and offering tailored support systems to ensure their adoption by farmers and communities.
Projects may involve testing new field solutions, certifying improved seeds or biopesticides, training farmers through demonstration plots, or developing farmer networks and cooperatives. They may also focus on integrating agroecology into agricultural training curricula or improving local support structures by training technicians and liaison officers.
In addition, projects that improve labor efficiency through technology, mechanization, and collective farming efforts are encouraged. Financial barriers are addressed through support for new markets, simplified certification schemes, and the creation of financial tools like microcredit and agricultural insurance to reduce producer risks.
However, some costs are ineligible for funding. These include expenditures unrelated to actual disbursements, debt servicing, staff bonuses, and land purchases unless directly necessary. Also ineligible are subcontracting arrangements that benefit internal members of the applicant organization.
Target beneficiaries of the initiative include producers, family farms, local households, processors, traders, and consumers involved in the food system. Applicants must be legal entities operating under private, non-profit structures. For-profit organizations may be eligible if they meet strict conditions that align their operations with public benefit rather than private gain.
This funding call presents a valuable chance for actors in Central Africa’s food systems to innovate, collaborate, and help shape a more equitable and sustainable future in agriculture.
For more information, visit Enabel.
