Fund
The intervention "Accelerating inclusive green growth through agro-based digital innovation in West Africa (AGriDI)" supports innovations to address key challenges related to climate change, the sustainable use and management of biodiversity, as well as responsible production and consumption among farming communities in West Africa. It is funded through the ACP Innovation Fund of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented by the International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), within the framework of its Regional Coordination Unit of the Regional Grants and Innovation Fund (RSIF), in partnership with the University of Abomey Calavi, (Benin), and Agropolis Foundation (France) and Gearbox Pan African Network (Kenya).
AGriDI aims to strengthen innovation systems and promote the adoption of agro-based digital technologies in West Africa. Digital technologies offer the potential to make it easier and more efficient for farmers and small entrepreneurs, especially women and young people, to produce (thanks to access to information and technologies) and commercialise their goods and services, leading to higher profits. AGriDI will increase the identification, adaptation and utilisation of agro-based digital technologies by farmers, SMEs, especially women and youth, in order to improve agricultural production and marketing through strengthened links between research communities, industry and policy actors, and an improved policy environment.
AGriDI will contribute to the implementation of ECOWAS national policies and strategies related to Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) and ICT, as well as the African Union's Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA) 2024. The results support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Desired results
AGriDI has three main objectives:
i) Greater acceptance of digital agricultural technologies by farmers and SMEs, especially women and young people in West Africa
ii) Strengthened links between research communities, industry and policy actors in digital innovations in the region
(iii) A strengthened political environment for scaling up digital agribusiness innovations in the region.
Nature of grants
As with the first call for proposals (launch: 21 April 2021, close: 30 June 2021), AGriDI's second call for proposals will provide competitive grants to improve the capacities of key stakeholders in various areas of digital technologies and agroecological systems and strengthen synergies with the private sector, civil society and other community-based organisations. The grants support the development of tangible digital solutions that address real challenges for farmers and agribusinesses, especially among women and young people, thereby increasing employment and income opportunities in the region.
Target groups
The target groups for this call are:
i) scientists and researchers at universities and research institutes
ii) agribusiness owners and owners of legally incorporated small and medium-sized enterprises
iii) innovators in technology centres, innovation laboratories and university technology transfer offices
iv) policymakers in ministries, departments and national government agencies responsible for creating an enabling policy environment to promote digital innovations, including those responsible for rural development, gender and social inclusion
v) farmers from legally registered groups and cooperatives based in the eligible countries.
The call encourages the participation of women and young people, organisations and individuals (scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs, political actors, among others) from organisations in other parts of Africa and globally can also participate in the call. However, they ONLY can participate as 'collaborators' in a project. A collaborator brings a specific skill or expertise to implement specific activities in a project. Collaborators must be described in the proposal, and their role and contribution to the project must be clearly articulated.
Target groups
The total envelope for this call is up to 663.809,72 euros. A maximum of 3 (three) to 4 (four) grants are envisaged, depending on the category. Each grant will run for a maximum period of 15 months from the date it was granted.
Deadline: 31 May 2023
