AGRA and CGIAR have opened an Expression of Interest for women-led agribusinesses in sub-Saharan Africa that are contributing to climate adaptation, offering selected businesses an opportunity to receive grant funding, technical assistance and capacity-building support.
The initiative is being implemented by AGRA through its VALUE4HER initiative and CGIAR through the Adaptation Insights project. It aims to identify and support women-led agribusinesses that are developing practical approaches to adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Selected businesses may receive a small grant alongside technical support to document and communicate their climate adaptation practices. The programme is intended to help showcase solutions being developed by women entrepreneurs within Africa’s agrifood sector.
AGRA and CGIAR Climate Adaptation Programme
The Climate Adaptation & Financing for Women-Led SMEs programme focuses on women-led agribusinesses operating across sub-Saharan Africa.
The Expression of Interest provides eligible businesses with an opportunity to demonstrate how their activities contribute to climate adaptation and resilience.
The programme is particularly relevant to women entrepreneurs whose businesses are responding to challenges associated with changing climate conditions while contributing to agricultural and food-system development.
Through the initiative, selected businesses may benefit from:
- A small grant to support their activities.
- Technical assistance.
- Capacity-building support.
- Assistance documenting climate adaptation practices.
- Support to communicate and showcase their climate adaptation approaches.
The programme therefore combines potential financial support with knowledge development and visibility for women-led businesses.
Who Is the Opportunity For?
The Expression of Interest is specifically aimed at women-led agribusinesses operating in sub-Saharan Africa.
Businesses applying should be able to demonstrate that their activities are contributing to climate adaptation.
The eligibility screening begins by asking whether the agribusiness is led or majority-owned by a woman or women.
Applicants are required to answer the eligibility questions honestly before proceeding with the application.
Women entrepreneurs working within the agricultural and agribusiness sectors who are developing solutions to climate-related challenges may therefore find the programme particularly relevant.
Application Deadline: Thursday 20th August, 2026
What Does Climate Adaptation Mean for Agribusinesses?
Climate change presents significant challenges for agricultural businesses, including changing weather patterns, water shortages, extreme weather events and other risks affecting production and livelihoods.
Climate adaptation involves developing strategies, technologies, business models and practices that enable communities and businesses to respond to these changing conditions.
Women-led agribusinesses across sub-Saharan Africa are increasingly developing solutions that can strengthen resilience within agricultural value chains.
The AGRA and CGIAR initiative seeks to identify such businesses and help document their approaches so that useful adaptation practices can be better understood and communicated.
Support Available to Selected Businesses
Businesses selected through the programme may receive a combination of financial and non-financial assistance.
The support includes a small grant, which can provide selected businesses with financial resources to support their climate adaptation work.
In addition, businesses may receive technical assistance and capacity-building support.
Another important component is documentation and communication. Selected businesses may receive support to document their climate adaptation practices and communicate their experiences more effectively.
This could help demonstrate how women-led businesses are responding to climate challenges and provide examples that may inform wider discussions around climate adaptation and agricultural resilience.
Programme Implementers
The initiative is being implemented jointly through programmes associated with AGRA and CGIAR.
AGRA is implementing its component through the VALUE4HER initiative, which focuses on strengthening opportunities and support for women in agribusiness.
CGIAR is implementing its component through the Adaptation Insights project, which focuses on generating and sharing insights related to climate adaptation.
The collaboration brings together expertise in agriculture, climate adaptation, entrepreneurship and financing to support women-led businesses.
How to Apply
Interested businesses are required to complete an Expression of Interest form.
The application begins with an eligibility screening section. Applicants are asked to provide information that will determine whether their businesses meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.
The online form is estimated to take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete.
Applicants should be prepared to provide accurate information about their business and its climate adaptation activities.
The application process includes an initial question asking whether the business is led or majority-owned by a woman or women.
Applicants who meet the initial requirements can proceed through the remainder of the application process.
Important Application Information
Prospective applicants should carefully review the programme’s full concept note before submitting an Expression of Interest.
The concept note provides the full overview of the programme and should be consulted alongside the application form for detailed information about eligibility, selection and support.
Applicants should also ensure that the information submitted through the Expression of Interest accurately represents their business and climate adaptation activities.
Why Women-Led Agribusinesses Should Apply
The programme provides an opportunity for women entrepreneurs to potentially access financial and technical support while increasing the visibility of their climate adaptation work.
For women-led agribusinesses already implementing climate-resilient practices, the programme could provide an opportunity to document their approaches and contribute to broader knowledge about climate adaptation in African agriculture.
The combination of grant support, technical assistance and capacity building also provides a broader form of support than financing alone.
AGRA and CGIAR Climate Adaptation Programme at a Glance
Programme: AGRA and CGIAR Climate Adaptation & Financing for Women-Led SMEs
Target applicants: Women-led agribusinesses
Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Sector: Agribusiness and climate adaptation
Support: Small grants, technical assistance and capacity building
Implementers: AGRA through VALUE4HER and CGIAR through the Adaptation Insights project
Application type: Expression of Interest
Application time: Approximately 20–30 minutes
Application Deadline
The information provided for the Expression of Interest does not state a closing date. Prospective applicants should therefore check the live application form and the official programme information for the current deadline before submitting.
Businesses should also review the full concept note to confirm all eligibility requirements and programme conditions.
