Supporting climate resilient livelihoods in the Sahel

Managing the Boom and Bust: Supporting climate resilient livelihoods in the Sahel
Ced Hesse, Simon Anderson, Lorenzo Cotula, Jamie Skinner,Camilla Toulmin

Published by IIED, 2013, 26 pages

For decades the Sahel has been presented as suffering from irreversible degradation, leading to desert advancement and the impoverishment of the population. This issue paper develops an alternative profile and identifies the considerable potential of the Sahel’s dryland ecosystems. It explores the inherent resilience within existing crop and livestock production systems based on exploiting climatic variability; systems which local people in the Sahel have used to establish successful local and national economies. This new profile can help re-define development interventions and promote a more climate resilient future.

South Africa in Horizon 2020 Information Day

14 January 2014. Brussels. An information day focused on cooperation with South Africa under Horizon
2020. This followed the annual South Africa-European Union Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee (JSTCC) meeting, which brought together senior officials of the South African Department of Science and Technology, and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, to review current and launch new flagship initiatives to strengthen South Africa-EU cooperation.

The seminar highlighted South Africa’s scientific and technological expertise in some of the priority research the ESASTAP Plus Platform, to support South African-European cooperation under Horizon 2020.
and innovation focus areas of Horizon 2020. The event was an opportunity for European organisations interested to cooperate with South Africa under Horizon 2020 to learn more about the countries’ capacities. Details were presented of the various advisory and support services.

Related:

National Launch: Presenting the European Union’s new Framework Programme Horizon 2020 (H2020)

• 27 January 2014, Gauteng [Agenda]
• 28 January 2014, Limpopo (Polokwane) [Agenda]
• 29 January 2014, Free State (Bloemfontein) [Agenda]
• 29 January 2014, North West (Potchefstroom) [Agenda]
• 30 January 2014, KwaZulu-Natal (Durban) [Agenda]
• 30 January 2014, Eastern Cape (East London) [Agenda]
• 31 January 2014, Western Cape [Agenda]

Related:
15 January 2014. The South African government has launched an updated bio-economy strategy that seeks to harness partnerships with industry and academia in order to accelerate the development of bio-based services, products and innovations in South Africa.

Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom 

announces South Africa's bio-economy strategy in Pretoria. 

Picture: PUXLEY MAKGATHO

The science-based Bio-Economy Strategy, approved by the Cabinet in November and launched by Science and Technology Minister Derek Hanekom on Tuesday 14/01, positions bio-innovation as essential to the achievement of the country's industrial and social development goals. The new policy replaces the 13-year-old National Biotechnology Strategy.

In agriculture, the SA government wants to focus on locally developed, genetically modified crops and animal vaccines. In health, the push is to develop vaccines, AIDS drugs, and diagnostics and medical devices.

For industry and the environment, the strategy identifies reducing waste and using waste byproducts more effectively as areas of opportunity. It also says there is potential in manufacturing herbal products and medicines. (Ref: Proposed R2bn fund aims to boost bio-economy)

The Bioeconomy Strategy.
© Department of Science and Technology 2013.
48 pages

The Department of Science and Technology of South Africa, in consultation with other relevant stakeholders, has identified three key economic sectors – agriculture, health and industry – as being the most in need of, and likely to benefit from key levers to drive the implementation of the South African Bioeconomy Strategy.

Agriculture
Of the three sectors identified as crucial elements of the bioeconomy, the agricultural industry currently has the highest economic impact. With relatively little capital infrastructure required, it remains a key opportunity for poverty alleviation, job creation, economic development and household food security in South Africa, on the African continent and abroad.

The Bio-economy Strategy’s objective for agriculture is:

• to strengthen agricultural biosciences innovation to ensure food security, enhance nutrition and improve health, as well as enable job creation through the expansion and intensification of sustainable agricultural production and processing. 
• These interventions should be driven by strategic need as well as market demand, and will require strong private-sector involvement.
• Biotechnology will play a crucial role in helping to improve the heat-resistance and drought-tolerance of crops and address the challenges of climate change, diminishing water and grazing, and potential loss of biodiversity. 
• The skills and solutions that emerge from biotechnology research need to be effectively transferred to emerging, small-scale and commercial farmers.

Facilitating multi-stakeholder processes

Knowledge Management for Development Journal (KM4D Journal)

12 January 2014. The December 2013 issue of the KM4D Journal is out. It focuses on "Facilitating multi-stakeholder processes: balancing internal dynamics and institutional politics" and contains the following articles:

Editorial
Facilitating multi-stakeholder processes: balancing internal dynamics and institutional politics PDF
Jan Brouwers, Karen Buchanan, Herman Brouwer, Laurens Klerkx, Mirjam Schaap, Ewen Le Borgne
3-10

Papers

• Analysing stakeholder power dynamics in multi-stakeholder processes: insights of practice from Africa and Asia ABSTRACT PDF
  Herman Brouwer, Wim Hiemstra, Simone van Vugt, Hettie Walters
  11-31 
• Reflective learning for purposeful change: making learning more explicit in multi-stakeholder processes ABSTRACT PDF
  Femke Gordijn, Jan Helder
  32-46 
• Evaluation as a multi-stakeholder process: the Programme for Capacity and Theory Building for Universities and Research Centres in Endogenous Development (CAPTURED) in Bolivia, Ghana and India ABSTRACT PDF
  David Millar, Rene Halkyer Orellana, Freddy Delgado Burgoa, Balakrishnan Nair, Darshan Shankar, Jan Brouwers
  47-62 
• Collaborative learning and stakeholder engagement: lessons and implications of the revitalization of the Continuing Professional Development policy for health workers in Nigeria ABSTRACT PDF
  Lisa Mwaikambo, Saori Ohkubo, Jarret Cassaniti
  63-78 
• Choice-making in facilitation of agricultural innovation platforms in different contexts in West Africa: experiences from Benin, Ghana and Mali ABSTRACT PDF
  Annemarie van Paassen, Laurens Klerkx, Samuel Adjei-Nsiah, Richard Adu-Acheampong, Bara Ouologuem, Elisabeth Zannou, Pierre Vissoh , Lassine Soumano, Fadiala Dembele, Mamoudou Traore
  79-94 
• Local participation in complex technological projects as bridging between different communities in Belgium ABSTRACT PDF
  Koen Sips, Marc Craps, Art De Wulf
  95-115 
• Dealing with critical challenges in African innovation platforms: lessons for facilitation
  ABSTRACT PDF
  Kees Swaans, Beth Cullen, André van Rooyen, Adewale Adekunle, Hlami Ngwenya, Zelalem Lemma, Suzanne Nederlof
  116-135 
• Water management, fact-finding and facilitation in multi-stakeholder platforms in North Afghanistan ABSTRACT PDF
  Jeroen Warner, Vincent Thomas
  136-152 

Case Studies

• Changing our ways: making sense of complex multi-stakeholder systems change by using the four quadrant model ABSTRACT PDF
  Hettie Walters
  153-166 

Interviews

• From project-based to institutionalised multi-stakeholder learning in the water sanitation and hygiene sector: experience from Uganda ABSTRACT PDF
  Carmen da Silva Wells, Peter Magara 
• 167-173 

Stories

• The functions of facilitation in multi-stakeholder learning: lessons learned from capacity development on value chains management in innovation platforms in Burkina Faso and Ghana
  ABSTRACT PDF
  Jean-Joseph Cadilhon
  174-181 

Monitoring and analysing food and agricultural policies in Africa

Monitoring and analysing food and agricultural policies in Africa.

Angelucci F., Balié J., Gourichon H., Mas Aparisi A., Witwer M., (2013). MAFAP Synthesis Report 2013. FAO, Rome, Italy.

© FAO, 2014

156 pages

The synthesis report by FAO’s Monitoring African Food and Agricultural Policies (MAFAP) team, is the first ever attempt to systematically analyse agriculture and food security policies in several African countries, using common methodology over years.

The report found that in the period between 2005 and 2010, the policy environment and performance of domestic markets depressed producer prices in the ten African countries analysed, though the trend is improving. Most governments resorted to market and trade policies to protect consumers and keep food prices down in the reference period whilst budgetary transfers, were mainly been used to support producers. The report concludes that producer prices would improve significantly if inefficiencies in domestic value chains were eliminated through better targeted policies. These inefficiencies however seem to be increasing in all ten countries surveyed. The current MAFAP partner countries are: Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.

Innovation Platform practice briefs

ILRI Innovation Platform practice briefs 

Innovation platforms are widely used in agricultural research to connect different stakeholders to achieve common goals. These ‘practice briefs’ are intended to help guide agricultural research practitioners who seek to support and implement innovation platforms. A contribution to the CGIAR Humidtropics research program, the development of the briefs was led by the International Livestock Research Institute; they draw on experiences of the CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food, several CGIAR centres and partner organizations.





Title: Impact of innovation platforms

Author: Duncan, A.J., Le Borgne, E., Maute, F., Tucker, J.

Date: 2013-11-30

Title: Power dynamics and representation in innovation platforms

Author: Cullen, B., Tucker, J., Homann-Kee Tui, S.

Date: 2013-11-30

Title: Innovation platforms to support natural resource management

Author: Misiko, M., Mundy, P., Ericksen, P.

Date: 2013-11-30

Title: Facilitating innovation platforms

Author: Rooyen, A. van, Swaans, K., Cullen, B., Lema, Z., Mundy, P.

Date: 2013-11-30

Title: Linking action at different levels through innovation platforms

Author: Tucker, J., Schut, M.

Date: 2013-11-30

Zambia: Platform linking farmers, researchers formed to enhance agro production

31/12/2013. Lusaka, Zambia. A meeting was organised by PELUM to disseminate information on including smallholders in agriculture research. It was attended by researchers, farmers and representatives of civil society organisations.

The meeting was convened by PELUM Association to discuss a project called Including Small holders in Agriculture Research for Development (INSARD), whose objective is to facilitate the participation of a broader range of European and African civil society organisations in the formulation and implementation of Agriculture Research Development (ARD).

“When including Small holders in Agriculture Research for Development (INSARD), project which has been coordinated by PELUM Association in collaboration with Agriculture Consultative Forum and the University of Zambia, we were sensitised to be part of research to make it possible for research to work for us and that the research findings are used effectively by we the farmers. We have since identified our agriculture challenges, prioritised them and jointly developed research outcomes,” Mr Shonga, 66, a former headmaster, said.

He added:”let me take this opportunity to inform you that we know what challenges we meet. Sometimes, researchers spend time working on crop varieties while our major challenge is on markets.”

Mr Shonga, who has been growing maize, rice, soya beans and velvet beans but is diversifying to fish farming commended PELUM Association, the implementing agency for INSARD for creating a platform where small scale farmers meet researchers and policy makers to discuss the challenges in agriculture and to decide on appropriate research demands.

PELUM Association is a regional network of civil society organisations operating in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa involved in promoting ecological land use management practices, including seed and food security and providing support to small scale farmers in the region.

Faustin Vuningoma, the PELUM Association secretary general, said INSARD, a European Union project – a symbol of North-South partnership, is being piloted in three countries in Africa.
INSARD is working towards making it easier for civil society organisations, both non-governmental and farmer organisations, to be actively involved in influencing agricultural research systems in Africa.
Apart from Zambia, it is also being piloted in Tanzania and Senegal.

INSARD is a partnership between the Eastern and Southern Africa Small-Scale Farmers’ Association Forum, ETC Foundation, GRET, PELUM Association, Practical Action (2011/2012) and REPAOC).

Livestock sustainability through diversity

16 Dec 2013. The most detailed livestock analysis to date shows vast differences in animal diets and emissions.

The resources required to raise livestock and the impacts of farm animals on environments vary dramatically depending on the animal, the type of food it provides, the kind of feed it consumes and where it lives, according to a new study that offers the most detailed portrait to date of ‘livestock ecosystems’ in different parts of the world.

The study, published in an early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), is the newest comprehensive assessment assembled of what cows, sheep, pigs, poultry and other farm animals are eating in different parts of the world; how efficiently they convert that feed into milk, eggs and meat; and the amount of greenhouse gases they produce.

The study, produced by scientists at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), shows that animals in many parts of the developing world require far more food to produce a kilo of protein than animals in wealthy countries. It also shows that pork and poultry are being produced far more efficiently than milk and beef, and greenhouse gas emissions vary widely depending on the animal involved and the quality of its diet.

There’s been a lot of research focused on the challenges livestock present at the global level, but if the problems are global, the solutions are almost all local and very situation-specific’, says Mario Herrero, lead author of the study who earlier this year left ILRI to take up the position of chief research scientist at CSIRO in Australia.
‘Our goal is to provide the data needed so that the debate over the role of livestock in our diets and our environments and the search for solutions to the challenges they present can be informed by the vastly different ways people around the world raise animals’, said Herrero. 

‘This very important research should provide a new foundation for addressing the sustainable development of livestock in a very resource-challenged and hungry world, where, in many areas, livestock can be crucial to food security’, said Harvard University’s William C. Clark, editorial board member of the Sustainability Science section at PNAS.

Audio

• Listen to interview with Mario Herrero
  • Listen

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For the last four years, Herrero has been working with scientists at ILRI and the lIASA in Austria to deconstruct livestock impacts beyond what they view as broad and incomplete representations of the livestock sector. Their findings—supplemented with 50 illustrative maps and more than 100 pages of additional data—anchor a special edition of PNAS devoted to exploring livestock-related issues and global change. Scientists say the new data fill a critical gap in research on the interactions between livestock and natural resources region by region.

The initial work was funded by ILRI and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).

Global Pastoralist Gathering

9-15 December 2013. Nairobi, Kenya. IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, through its Global Drylands Programme and the World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism (WISP), and in partnership with the World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples (WAMIP), organized a gathering of pastoralist leaders in Emasho Camp Lodge, Kiserian, Kajiado County

The Kiserian Gathering was funded by IUCN, UNEP, IFAD, FAO, the International Planning Committee on Food Sovereignty, the Civil Society Mechanism for the Committee on World Food Security and AU-IBAR. It provided a forum for developing a strong and coordinated position on the role of pastoralism in the Green Economy and how this will contribute to the achievement of global food security, and the Sustainable Development Goals. The gathering outputs will feed directly into high level meetings in 2014 and into the development of the Sustainable Development Goals, scheduled for 2015.

The Kiserian Gathering brought together over 100 pastoralist delegates from 50 countries across the globe including pastoralist community leaders, elected representatives, government dignitaries, and civil society organizations. The Gathering also provided an opportunity for dialogue for members and prospective members of the World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples.

GLOBAL PASTORALISTS GATHERING FLYER

• Flyer 296KB

The Impact of Chinese, Indian and Brazilian Investments on Agricultural Development in Africa

Agricultural Development and Food Security in AfricaThe Impact of Chinese, Indian and Brazilian Investments
Edited by Fantu Cheru and Renu Modi
Zed Books 8/08/2013, 263 pages

The subject of food security and land issues in Africa has become one of increased importance and contention over recent years. In particular, the focus has shifted to the role new global South donors - especially India, China and Brazil - are playing in shaping African agriculture through their increased involvement and investment in the continent.

Approaching the topic through the framework of South-South co-operation, this highly original volume presents a critical analysis of the ways in which Chinese, Indian and Brazilian engagements in African agriculture are structured and implemented. Do these investments have the potential to create new opportunities to improve local living standards, transfer new technology and knowhow to African producers, and reverse the persistent productivity decline in African agriculture? Or will they simply aggravate the problem of food insecurity by accelerating the process of land alienation and displacement of local people from their land?

Topical and comprehensive, Agricultural Development and Food Security in Africa offers fresh insight into a set of relationships that will shape both Africa and the world over the coming decades.

Rebuilding West Africa's Food Potential:Policies and market incentives for smallholder-inclusive food value chains

Rebuilding West Africa's Food Potential:Policies and market incentives for smallholder-inclusive food value chains -7.8Mb
Edited by Aziz Elbehri
© FAO 2013
503 pages

This book offers an in-depth analyses of value chain policies, past and present in West Africa. The book contains a large number of in-depth case studies of food value chains in particular countries, including traditional export commodities (cocoa, cotton), high value exports (mangoes, horticulture) and the most important staple food value chains (oil palm, rice, maize, sorghum and millet and cassava) in the region. It also contains a large number of private and public initiatives, and thematic analyses relating to the role of the private agro-industry and producer organisations and their role as market agents.

The study argues that countries could benefit significantly from policy support that targets broader agricultural development and greater coordination among producers, private industry and the public and financial sectors.

 “Although some West African countries in the region are doing better than others, the region has lagged behind other parts of Africa in terms of basic infrastructure, investments, research and development and agricultural processing,” said FAO Senior Economist Aziz Elbehri, who edited the publication. 

The study reasons that the region should direct greater efforts to develop its staple food crops, which in the past had been sidelined in favour of a few export commodities. 

• maize and cassava, two of the main pillars of West Africa’s food security, could form the backbone for a thriving agro-industry given their multiple market applications. 
• There is a huge production deficit in rice in the region, which currently imports an unsustainable 70 per cent of what it consumes. “And yields of sorghum and millet – critically important for the food security of 100 million people in the Sahel – could double or triple with the help of improved seed varieties and fertilizer.” 
• providing farmers with the means to boost the yields of staple food crops was not enough. 

The study also underscores the importance of continued investment in export crops such as cotton, coffee and cocoa, which play a significant role in generating income and employment, and flags tropical fruit and vegetables and other emerging niche products like sesame and cashew nuts as another viable area for export growth. 

• among the hurdles that governments need to address are poor transport networks, excessive regulation and conflicting trade policies among different countries, all of which result in costly delays on West African trade routes. 
• countries need to prioritize credit and resources for women, who had a central role in the staple food value chains of the region. 

“Whether rice parboiling in Burkina Faso, cassava production in Cameroon or small-scale oil palm processing in Ghana, much of the staple food production and processing in West Africa is carried out by women,” said Elbehri.

It also highlights the importance of strengthening farmers’ organizations, which put farmers in a stronger position to negotiate arrangements with suppliers and buyers and play a critical role in advocacy and policy dialogue. Its key recommendations are aimed at helping to accelerate implementation of the region’s national agricultural investment programmes under the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme. 

Regional Dialogue on Family Farming

11- 12 December 2013, Brussels, Belgium. FAO in collaboration with the World Rural Forum, the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), the World Farmers Organization (WFO) are hold a series of regional dialogues. The 66th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, declared 2014 as the “International Year of Family Farming” (IYFF) and invited FAO to facilitate its implementation, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

Their outcomes will set the ground to provide regional overview of Family Farming issues that will be further discussed at the Global Forum and Expo on Family Farming to take place in Budapest on 4-7 March and be addressed in the IYFF Global Dialogue to be held in Rome in October 2014.

By focusing on the regional perspectives, Regional Dialogue for Europe and Central Asia will be complementary to the conference on "Family farming: A dialogue towards more sustainable and resilient farming in Europe and the world" organized by European Commission, which took place in Brussels, on 29 November 2013.

The Regional Dialogue of Family Farming for Europe was designed to:

• Understand the “state-of-the art” on family farming in different parts of the Region in terms of opportunities and challenges, including existing policy environment.
• Identify cases of successful family farming models at regional or country level including innovation, effective organizational models through producer organizations and cooperatives in each sub-region. 
• Propose common priorities for the promotion of family farming in each sub-region.

	Concept note
	Background Report
Presentations
	Family Farming: a Europe and Central Asia Perspective Sophia Davidova, Centre for European Agri-Environmental Studies (CEAS), University of Kent
	Enabling Environment and Existing Programmes and Strategies in Support of Family Farming, including Research and Innovation Programmes focused on Family Farming Professor Ken Thomson, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
	Livestock Farmers at the Wheel of their Development  Experience of yak herders in the Eastern Pamirs

PAEPARD ARD funding opportunities

A G R I C U L T U R E

Rwanda innovation dans agriculture

Les Pays-Bas initient un fonds de 2 millions d’euros destiné à l’innovation dans agriculture. ASDF offre deux fenêtres de financement à savoir : le fonds pour l’innovation dans le secteur agricole (ASIF) et le fonds de renforcement des capacités et de financement des petits investissements (CaBIF).

Nutrition - Diversified Agriculture for balanced nutrition in Sub-Saharan Africa 

The Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) has launched a new funding instrument. BMEL seeks to strengthen the contribution of Germany’s agricultural research to the development of an efficient agricultural sector in partner-countries, by fostering long-term partnerships between agricultural research institutions in Germany and in developing countries especially in Africa. Deadline: 17 march 2013.

Horizon 2020

The Work Programme on ‘Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research and the bioeconomy’ offers opportunities in finding diverse 
and innovative solutions to well-identified challenges in key EU policy priorities. Through generic or dedicated topics, a broad multidisciplinary participation is welcomed in these efforts.
Specific topics related to Africa:

·         SFS-6-2014: Sustainable intensification pathways of agro-food systems in Africa (page 14) Deadline 26/06/2014

·         SFS-18-2015: Small farms but global markets: the role of small and family farms in food and nutrition security (page 29) Deadline First stage 24/02/2015

Related: Horizon 2020 Calls For Proposals - Info Day 2014

Info Day 2014 in Brussels, on 17 January 2014, from 9.00 am till 5.00 pm, at the "Charlemagne building, Rue de la Loi 170, Brussels",

Agriculture Fast Track Fund for Agribusiness

The AFDB Agriculture Fast Track Fund aims to boost investment in African agriculture by providing grants up to US$ 1.5 million in support of African agribusiness. Grants can be used for feasibility studies, market research, financial modeling, business plan development, and environmental and social impact studies. The eligible pilot countries are Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Mozambique, and Tanzania. The application deadline is 31 December 2013.

EU-Egypt Innovation Fund

The EU-Egypt Innovation Fund supports consortia of European and Egyptian researchers for innovative projects in renewable energy, food production, aquatic resources, sustainable tourism, and other themes. The program is open to applicants that partner with at least six co-applicants. Applicants must be registered and based in Egypt. Funding will range from from €300 thousand to €750 thousand, subject to cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/135159/M/ACT/EG. The application deadline is 03 February 2014.

CTATop 20 Innovations

CTA is calling for proposals on innovations in use or have potential in smallholder agricultural production systems in ACP countries and which if known and widely promoted can benefit other farming communities. They have to reach CTA no later than 15 February 2014

Africa/Brazil Marketplace  

The Agricultural Innovation MKTPlace is an international initiative supported by different partners aiming to link Brazilian, African and Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) experts and institutions to develop cooperative research projects for development.  This call was launched on 18th November 2013 and will be open till 18 February 2014.

Research Training Partnership with Uganda

Sida will fund partnerships between Swedish universities and Makerere University in Uganda. The aim is research strengthening at Makerere. The call is open to all Swedish and to participating institutions at Makerere University, including the colleges for agriculture and environmental sciences; natural resources; veterinary medicine and animal resources; and others. The deadline for submitting letters of intent is 19 February 2014.

Research on China's Impact in Africa

The ESRC and DFID announced a research program to investigate the economic development impact of China's engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa. The scope includes research related to aspects of agriculture and natural resources, among other themes. The program encourages academics from developing and developed countries to work together in any configuration; principal investigators can be from anywhere in the world. The application deadline is 13 March 2014.

Capacity Building in African Universities

The UK's Royal Society collaborates with UK's DFID to strengthen the research capacity of universities and research institutions in sub-Saharan Africa through partnerships with the UK. Research priorities in the current round are water and sanitation; renewable energy; and soil-related research. Funding contributes towards research expenses, travel and subsistence costs, PhD training, and limited funds for equipment. The closing date for the first round of applications is 09 April 2014.

Food and Business Applied Research Fund (ARF) 

This Call for proposals invites consortia composed of private and public practitioners organisations and research organisations, from the 15 Dutch development partner countries and from the Netherlands, to submit project proposals for applied research for innovation. Of the 15 partner countries for Dutch international cooperation, following countries are from Africa: Benin, Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, South Sudan, Uganda. A grant amounts to a minimum of 50,000 euro (for six months) to a maximum of 300,000 euro (for 36 months). Proposals can be submitted continuously during the course of this first Call for proposals. This Call closes at 15 April 2014.

Innovations in Ethiopian Agriculture

The Innovation Fund for Ethiopia Agriculture invites proposals for innovative projects that link activities in agriculture and health in order to reduce food security and malnutrition. Applicants are Ethiopian NGOs and Ethiopian national or private research institutes, optionally working with external partners (external partners are limited to 25% of the total agreement). USAID anticipates making three awards, at least one of which will focus on pastoralist areas. Funding Opportunity APS-663-14-000002. The application deadline is 15 May 2014.

C L I M A T E  C H A N G E 

Funding for Doctoral Students in Climate Change

WASCAL (West African Science Service Center on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use) is a partnership of German and West African institutions for research and science-based advice on impacts, mitigation, and adaptation measures related to climate change. The program offers scholarships and research support to qualified candidates in WASCAL member countries. WASCAL's support for doctoral students (program West African Climate System) has a deadline of 31 December 2013.

Global Poverty Action Fund for UK Nonprofit Organizations

The latest round of the Global Poverty Action Fund focuses on MDG-1 ("eradication of extreme poverty and hunger"), with a thematic focus on jobs and livelihoods. This GPAF funding round calls for proposals in both the Community Partnership window and the Impact window. The deadlines are 20 January 2014 for the Impact window, and 27 January 2014 for the Community Impact window.

Funding for Climate Projects in Developing Countries

The Nordic Climate Facility has launched a call for proposals on the theme of “Inclusive green growth projects contributing to private sector development.” Grants up to €500 thousand will be made to partnerships between relevant Nordic (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Norway and Iceland) institutions and qualified local partners in low-income countries. Co-financing of at least 20% is required. The application deadline is 31 January 2014.

Call for Concept Notes for CCAFS Flagships

The CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) announced two open calls for concept notes:

1) help develop its portfolio of work related to climate-smart agricultural practices, specifically around the area of local adaptation planning processes, and scaling up and out approaches (Flagship 1).

2) contribute to the resilience and adaptive capacity of agriculture through climate information services and climate-informed food security safety nets (Flagship 2).

Deadline for submission of the concept notes is 1 March 2014

Private Enterprise and Climate Change

The French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) announced a second call under FISP-Climat as an innovation facility to encourage private enterprise to use green technologies for fighting climate change in developing countries. The FFEM will support projects in climate mitigation and adaptation for up to €500 thousand per project . Proposals must include at least one private company. Projects can be located in ACP countries, with preference for North Africa and the Mediterranean region. The closing date is 09 February 2014.

Research on Private Enterprise in Development

The UK Center for Economic Policy Research (CEPR)  and the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) jointly sponsor research on Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries (PEDL). PEDL encourages proposals which address cross-cutting issues such as climate, environment, and social compliance -- among others. PEDL currently invites applications for: (i) Exploratory Grants ranging between £10 thousand and £35 thousand; and (ii) Major Research Grants, with an average grant size of £300 thousand. The application deadlines are 31 January 2014 for Exploratory Grants, and 03 March 2014 for Major Grants.

B I O D I V E R S I T Y

Echoing Green - Fellowships 2014

Echoing Green helps emerging social entrepreneurs around the world with grants of seed capital and technical assistance to support their start-up organizations. Past grants include several that address renewable energy, waste management, smallholder farming, and other societal challenges of developing countries. The application period (Phase I) is 03 December 2013 through 06 January 2014.

Fellowships in Design and Innovation 2014-2015 

IDEO is a nonprofit organization that uses design and innovation to address the challenges of poverty. IDEO invites applications from designers and from the social sector to apply human-centered design in projects related to several development subjects that include water and sanitation, agriculture, and others. There are no nationality restrictions. The deadline for applications is 06 January 2014.

Securing Water for Food

USAID and Sida are collaborating to identify and accelerate innovations in science, technology, and business that improve water access and sustainability for increased food security and poverty alleviation. Organizations of any type or size are eligible to apply for funding, with a preference for applications submitted by local and international partners. Awards will range from US$100 thousand to US$3 million for awards up to three years. The submission period for concept papers is 27 November 2013 through 17 January 2014.

Energy and Environment Partnership for Southern and East Africa

6th Call for Proposals. The EEP for Southern and East Africa announced a new call for projects in renewable energy. The focus is on promising local private projects that are close to commercial maturity, but need a limited amount of bridging finance. Projects should be implemented in one or more of the following countries: Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, or Zambia. Grants range from €200 thousand to €1 million, depending on co-financing shares. The submission deadline for concept notes is 15 January 2014.

Forest Research in the Mediterranean Region

The European Commission(EC)'s Research Directorate (FP7) will fund collaborative projects and networking through the program FORESTERRA. The two research themes include one on a regional approach to learn how global change affects Mediterranean forest ecosystems, and another on managing biodiversity in forest systems. Applications are made by consortia of organizations from the participating countries, including Algeria and Tunisia in North Africa. The application deadline is 15 January 2014.

Darwin Initiative Scoping Awards and Fellowships

The Darwin Initiative funds of the UK Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) for capacity building, training, research, and education in support of the three major conventions on biodiversity -- focusing on the developing world. The scoping awards cover travel costs to enable prospective partners to collaboratively develop an application for a Darwin project. Fellowships support participants in recent or current Darwin projects with opportunities to work towards formal qualifications or to develop policy skills. The application deadline for scoping awards and fellowships in Round 20 is 03 February 2014. Link Scoping    Link Fellowships 

Water and Sanitation in Malawi

The EU will fund projects to provide low-income areas in peri-urban zones of Malawi with improved water supply and sanitation services. Proposals may be submitted by organizations in the EU member states, the ACP countries (which include Malawi), and international organizations. All proposals must include at least one applicant or co-applicant from Malawi. Grants will range from €300 thousand to €1.5 million, subject to cost shares. Reference EuropeAid/135226/L/ACT/MW. The deadline for submissions is 21 February 2014.

Small Grants for Conservation in the Albertine Rift and Great Lakes Region of Africa

The ARCOS Small Grants enhance collaboration to develop sustainable solutions for biodiversity and people, focusing on critical landscapes and watersheds of the Albertine Rift and the Great Lakes Region of East and Central Africa. The program is open to civil society organizations. Governments and for-profit actors cannot apply, but may participate as cooperation partners in the project, or in coalitions where a civil society organization is the main applicant. The maximum grants is US$5 thousand. Applications are received in two periods each year: 01 April to 15 May, and 01 August to 15 September 2014.

Grants in Ecological Agriculture 2014

The Ekhaga Foundation (Sweden) makes grants for research in ecological agriculture and biological medicine. Universities, research institutes, etc., from all over the world are invited to apply, although Ekhaga recommends cooperation with a European institution. The deadline for applications is 31 May 2014.

Purchase of Nature 2014

The World Conservation Union in the Netherlands (IUCN-Netherlands) manages the Purchase of Nature program, funded by the Dutch Postal Code Lottery. The program provides grants of up to €85 thousand for the purchase and protection of threatened wildlife habitats and vulnerable ecosystems, mainly in tropical developing countries. The grants are to local conservation organizations in those countries. Pre-proposals are due before 01 May 2014.

Fellowships/Scholarships 

Canada-Africa Research Exchange Grants (CAREG) 2014

With funding from Canada's IDRC, CAREG will support short-term exchanges between Canadian and African universities and research institutes in research themes that include agriculture and environment (among others). Grants of up to CAD$40 thousand are for joint projects between researchers in Canada and researchers in eligible African countries. The closing date for applications is 18 February 2014.

ILRI- Africa Biosciences Challenge Fund 2014

The Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub awards research fellowships to African agricultural researchers for short-term projects at the BecA-ILRI Hub in Nairobi. Candidates should be currently engaged in agricultural research and be affiliated with a national agricultural research program or university in the eligible countries. The Fund supports travel, accommodation, stipend, and research costs. The application deadline is 28 February 2014

Netherlands Fellowship Programs 2014-2015

Netherlands Organization for Cooperation in Higher Education (NUFFIC) offers opportunities for professionals in 50 developing countries to pursue masters degrees, PhD studies, and short courses in the Netherlands. Individuals applying for fellowships must be admitted to the relevant academic programs in order to be eligible for funding. Programs include subjects in agricultural and veterinary sciences; sustainable energy; marine biology; water resources; environmental governance; and various other areas related to environment and natural resources. Application deadlines vary by sub-programs -- with deadlines on 04 February 2014, 06 May 2014, and 07 October 2014.

International Training Programs 2014

Sida funds short-term training in selected development topics for participants from developing countries. The Global program includes courses in the following subject areas in year 2014: (i) efficient energy use and planning, with submission deadlines 01 February and 01 August 2014; and (ii) integrated sustainable coastal development, with submission deadline 01 March 2014. Information about course content and eligibility are included with each course description. Note: Interested individuals should follow the website for additional courses that may be announced, including at regional levels.

ANSTI/DAAD Post-Graduate Fellowships 2014

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) cooperates with the African Network of Scientific and Technical Institutions (ANSTI) -  by offering financial support for Masters and Ph.D degrees at institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa. The fellowships are awarded to nationals in Sub-Saharan Africa for studies outside the applicants' home countries. Participants must be from ANSTI member institutions, and be less than 36 years old at the time of application. The application deadline is 31 May 2014.

Fellowships for Agricultural Research at U.S. Universities

The Norman E. Borlaug Leadership Enhancement in Agriculture Program (Borlaug LEAP) offers fellowships for graduate students from developing countries for agricultural research at universities in the USA. The program currently invites applications from citizens of USAID-assisted countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Each research project is coordinated by a university in the student's home country, a university in the USA, and a mentor in the CGIAR. The application deadline is 01 May 2014.

Cours et stages internationaux 2014-2015 CUD/CIUF

Le CIUF accorde 150 bourses d'études et 70 bourses de stage.

·         Master complémentaire en aquaculture.

·         Master complémentaire en sciences et gestion de l'environnement dans les pays en développement.

·         Master complémentaire  en gestion des ressources animales et végétales en milieux tropicaux.

·         Master complémentaire en gestion des risques naturels

·         Master complémentaire en sciences et technologie des aliments

·         European Microfinance Programme

·         Master complémentaire en protection des cultures tropicales et subtropicales

·         Stage méthodologique en appui à l'innovation en agriculture familiale

·         Stage en environnement et gestion durable des ressources minerals

Master (ICP) or training (ITP) programmes that are recognized and funded by VLIR-UOS

VLIR-UOS International Master Programmes 2014-2016

·         Master of Science in Aquaculture

·         Master of Science in Biology - Specialisation Human Ecology

·         Master of Science in Statistics - Specialisation Biostatistics

·         Master of Science in Environmental Sanitation

·         Master of Science in Marine and Lacustrine Science and Management (Oceans & Lakes)

·         Master of Science in Molecular Biology (IPMB)

·         Master of Science in Nematology

·         Master of Science in Nutrition and Rural Development

·         Master of Science in Physical Land Resources

·         Master of Science in Food Technology

·         Master of Science in Water Resources Engineering

VLIR-UOS International Training Programmes 2014

·         Technology for Integrated Water Management

·         Dairy Nutrition

·         International Training Programme in Food Safety, Quality Assurance Systems and Risk Analysis

A W A R D S 

Award for Best Practices

The Dubai Municipality collaborates with UN Habitat to offer Best Practices Awards for outstanding contributions to improve the living environment, particularly for poor and disadvantaged populations. The categories of best practices include awards for organizations (i.e., NGOs and associations), businesses and enterprises, university research, and individuals. The deadline for submissions requesting feedback is 01 March 2014. The final deadline is 31 March 2014.

Prizes for Research in Agriculture and Natural Resources 2014

The Fiat Panis Foundation (Germany) makes awards for university thesis and dissertation research in themes of agriculture and natural resources, with a focus on food security in developing countries. The Justus von Liebig Award for World Food is €25 thousand; the Hans Hartwig Ruthenberg Graduate Award is €7.5 thousand. The deadline for both awards is 30 April 2014.

Practices to Improve Tenure Security in the Muslim World

The Global Land Tool Network is sponsoring a competition on the theme of good practices for tenure security in the Muslim world. This refers to successfully increased security of tenure and access to land, housing, and property rights in Muslim communities -- with special reference to the poor, women, and youth. The three best papers will be awarded cash prizes. The application deadline is extended to 2 April 2014.

King Baudouin African Development Prize 2014

The King Baudouin African Development Prize rewards innovative initiatives to improve the quality of life of local communities in Africa. Candidates for the Prize can be individuals or organizations, working in any field of endeavor. Past winners include champions of fair trade, environmental conservation, and land reform (among a wide field of other issues). The Prize is worth €150 thousand, awarded every other year. The deadline for nominations for the 2014 award is 28 February 2014.