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Investing in the Agroecological Business Case

In order to catalyse the scaling of agroecology and advance the transformation of the food system, this programme wants to increase the availability of suitable capital and build an enabling environment for agroecological enterprises in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Agroecological enterprises as the key to social and ecological development

Agroecological enterprises (AEEs) such as entrepreneurial farms and cooperatives, food processing companies or producers of organic agricultural inputs (e.g. fertilisers) are key in supporting the agroecological transformation towards strengthened availability and access to healthy nutrition, better resilience of communities, local value creation and sustainability. In sub-Saharan Africa women are more often involved in agriculture and agro-processing and therefore agroecological enterprises can offer women and young people in particular, increased access to viable and sustainable jobs.

However, these agroecological enterprises are chronically underfunded, as most financial institutions, investors and donors predominantly finance enterprises following a conventional agricultural model, and traditionally focus on increasing productivity and income as only success indicators.

More funding for thriving agroecological enterprises

The aim of the programme is to increase the availability of suitable finance for agroecological enterprises, enabling them to thrive due to capital, capacity building and a more enabling environment.

To achieve the set outcomes, the programme synthesizes convincing arguments and research evidence for investors and donors and organizes innovative matchmaking events that connect donors and entrepreneurs. In addition, an agroecology accelerator is being developed with a local partner from East Africa, which supports agroecological enterprises in capacity building and financing. The focus here is on empowering women and youth.

Furthermore, tools such as the Business Agroecology Criteria Tool (B-ACT), which enables investors and donors to identify inspiring and promising agroecological enterprises and understand their benefits and contributions towards sustainable food systems, will be developed.

Successful agroecological enterprise showcases convince investors and politicians

With these tools, AEE champion showcases will be identified and promoted, to sensitize and influence decision makers to create a more enabling political and financial environment for agroecological enterprises.

to the project overview
InternationalSub-Saharan Africa
KnowledgePolitics
Overview
Project country:
International
Kenya
Uganda
Participants:
Agriculture and food industry actors
Decision-makers in politics
Donors and Investors
Small and medium sized enterprises
Project Officer:
Stefanie Pondini
Project phase:
2022-2024
Partner organizations:

Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)

Transformational Investing in Food Systems (TIFS) Initiative

Shona

AgroEcology Fund

Agroecology Coalition

One CG Agroecology Initiative

The project addresses the following SDGs from UN Agenda 2030:

This project is supported by SDC.

Downloads
Programme Overview: Investing in the agroecological business case

Project's website

Agroecology Info Pool

Biovision is committed to promoting favourable political and economic conditions for agroecology. An understanding of the potential of agroecology will be increased through well-founded information, through bringing together diverse actors in the food system (for example the private sector, civil society organizations and researchers), and through exchange among decision-makers. The project website agroecology-pool.ch gathers current findings from projects and science and makes them accessible to everyone to support a sustainable transformation of the food system.

BG00003-min
To the website
Dr. Million Belay, Generaldirektor AFSA
«It is time for donors and investors to focus on supporting agroecological enterprises in order to ensure that people build resilient futures despite the many crises.»
Dr. Million Belay, General Coordinator, Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)

To support this project or get further information, please contact

Sharon Nehrenheim
Head of Institutional Fundraising
E-mail
+41 44 512 58 13
Linkedin

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Facts and figures about the project

The project will enable
enterprises to successfully operate agroecologically
At least
donors or investors start to invest in agroecological enterprises
At least
decision makers are sensitized to agroecology

Donate now

With your support, you make a significant contribution to fighting hunger and poverty, building confidence and strengthening self-determined living. The Zewo seal of approval guarantees a conscientious and cost-conscious use of your donations.

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