More than 110 participants from over 14 countries across Africa, Europe, and Asia gathered online to celebrate the international launch of AgrEcoNUS+, a programme that aims at making Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS), a driver of agroecological transition across Africa.
AgrEcoNUS+, Enhancing value chains and markets of Neglected and Underutilized crop Species to contribute to Agroecological transition in Africa, is a 4-years-programme funded by the European Union and implemented through a consortium led by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), SWISSAID, and CIHEAM Bari. The programme operates in nine countries: Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Niger, Guinea, Mauritania, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. It aims at strengthening production, value chains and markets for NUS, supporting farmer-managed seed systems, and promoting agroecological practices to contribute to more resilient, sustainable, and sovereign food systems.
The international launch of the programme brought together key speakers from the European Commission; the Director of AICS; the Director of the Production, Markets and Infrastructure Division from IFAD, from the Swiss Agency for Developpment and Cooperation, as well as from AFSA (the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa) and CORAF (Conseil Ouest et Centre Africain pour la Recherche et le Développement Agricoles), to discuss the growing role of NUS and agroecology in addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, malnutrition, and market shocks. Contributions from speakers highlighted the importance of placing locally adapted crops, farmer knowledge, and inclusive food systems at the centre of Africa’s agricultural transformation.
Related:
Neglected and underutilised species (NUS)—resilient, nutrient-dense, and culturally significant crops—are fast emerging as opportunity crops. They withstand climate shocks, require minimal inputs, enrich local diets, and create viable revenue streams for smallholder farmers, especially women and youth.To unlock their potential, the European Union and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) have launched a €2.7 million call for proposals under the AgrEcoNUS+/LEAP initiative.
Over 36 months, the selected consortium will drive value chain development by:
- Supporting at least 60 cooperatives, producer groups, and small businesses (30+ per country)
- Building capacity in business management, technical skills, and entrepreneurship
- Providing tailored financial assistance (up to €60,000 per organization)
- Expanding market access through 10+ strategic partnerships, awareness campaigns, and regional food fairs
- This initiative builds on frameworks like SUSTLIVES, CROPS4HD, and ORPH-CROP, with international actors including CIHEAM Bari, SWISSAID, and the Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT.
- Lead Applicant: NGOs with 7+ years’ experience in agriculture/rural development and proven financial management capacity (~€1M annually)
- Consortium Requirements: Must include local co-applicants in both Ghana & Côte d'Ivoire. Cooperatives, farmer organizations, BDS providers, financial institutions, and local NGOs are encouraged to join.
- Clarification Questions: 25 Nov 2026
- Proposal Deadline: 16 Dec 2026 at 15:00 GMT
- Contact: mailto:aics.accra@aics.gov.it
- Guidelines & annexes: Enhancing value chains and markets of Neglected and Underutilized crop Species to contribute to Agroecological transition in Africa - AgrEcoNUS+ Guidelines for grant applicants (42 p.)
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