Agriculture remains at the heart of Africa’s economy — but climate change poses significant threats to crops, livestock, and agribusinesses. To help agripreneurs tackle these challenges, the Building Resilience Against Climate and Environmental Shocks (BRACE) Program is offering a transformative capacity-building opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) working in the agricultural sector across Africa.
The BRACE initiative is designed to equip agri-SMEs with practical knowledge, tools, and strategies to adopt climate-smart practices, improve sustainability, and gain access to climate financing.
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Program Highlights
The BRACE Program offers a six-week hybrid learning experience that combines self-paced online study with live virtual sessions. Participants engage in hands-on assignments, interactive discussions, and expert-led mentoring. The training covers critical areas including:
- Understanding climate risks and impacts on agribusiness
- Implementing climate-smart production techniques
- Exploring climate finance opportunities and green funding sources
- Developing tailored strategies to make agribusinesses more resilient
In addition to learning from seasoned climate experts, participants can connect and collaborate with other entrepreneurs across the continent, fostering a network of shared innovation and support.
Who Can Apply?
The program seeks to attract African citizens aged 18 to 40 who are owners or decision-makers in registered agribusinesses. Eligible enterprises can operate in any agricultural subsector, such as crop farming, animal husbandry, food processing, marketing, or aggregation. Applicants should be eager to integrate climate-smart solutions into their operations and scale their businesses sustainably.
Key Benefits of Participating
By joining the BRACE Program, agri-SMEs stand to gain:
- Practical skills for adopting sustainable, climate-smart farming and business practices
- Access to tools and insights for attracting climate finance and green investments
- Connections to a network of African agripreneurs and experts
- Guidance in transforming their businesses to withstand environmental shocks and market fluctuations
Participants who complete the program successfully also gain visibility through the African Food Changemakers (AFC) network, opening further opportunities for growth and collaboration.
How the Program Works
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Format: Hybrid (online modules + live sessions)
- Time commitment: Approximately 4–6 hours per week
- Language: English and French to accommodate diverse participants across Africa
- Program Fee: Free for selected participants
During the program, entrepreneurs will use diagnostic tools to assess their business’s climate resilience and create tailored action plans to green their operations. The curriculum blends theoretical knowledge with real-life examples and practical exercises.
How to Apply
Interested agripreneurs can submit their applications via the official BRACE portal. The program opens applications for different cohorts throughout the year. For the current call:
- Deadline: February 16, 2025
- Application portal: brace.afchub.org
Early application is advised, as slots are limited and highly competitive.
Conclusion
Africa’s agribusinesses have immense potential to drive economic growth and food security — but climate change remains a pressing obstacle. The BRACE Program offers a unique, actionable pathway for agri-SMEs to build resilience, adopt sustainable practices, and unlock new funding opportunities. For passionate AGRIPRENEURS seeking to future-proof their businesses, BRACE represents a powerful step forward.
