Call for Applications: AfriFOODLinks Incubation Program (Tunisia)

AfriFOODlinks strives to create an enabling environment for improving food security and urban sustainability in African cities by adopting several strategic approaches. First, it aims to transform urban food environments and encourage public adoption of healthy and sustainable diets. Second, it promotes inclusive and multi-stakeholder governance to enable public officials, small businesses (formal and informal), communities, youth and women to play an active role in structuring their food systems. Finally, it seeks to accelerate the development of innovative agribusinesses led by women and youth, thereby supporting local value creation and inclusive economic participation.

The AfriFOODlinks project, funded by the European Union, aims primarily to address food insecurity issues in African countries by encouraging and stimulating the transition to sustainability. This project focuses primarily on improving the urban food environment, considered a crucial pillar to ensure this transformation. To achieve this, it relies on investing in sustainable innovation and restructuring organizations active in the value chain of this ecosystem, while taking into account the social and cultural preferences of African countries.

Proposed Program 

• The program offers personalized support in 3 stages, each stage of this course offers the entrepreneur the opportunity to expand and develop his or her business idea or project with the support and guidance of experts. The program also offers participants the opportunity to expand their professional network, as it offers the opportunity to be supported and advised by mentors on technical aspects.
• In order to ensure greater inclusiveness and availability by minimizing travel, the program during its incubation phase offers blended learning, a mix of face-to-face and online sessions.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age requirement: 18 to 65 years old.
• Status: Priority given to women and young people without permanent employment, in vulnerable situations or wishing to develop their business.
• Industry Relevance: Must be involved in or planning a business related to agribusiness:
  • Food production: agriculture, fishing or livestock farming with sustainable practices.
  • Food processing: manufacturing or preserving food products with an emphasis on quality and safety.
  • Food Distribution: Manage logistics, retail or delivery with a focus on accessibility and efficiency.
  • Catering services: operating or planning restaurants, caterers or street food with an emphasis on innovation or cultural significance.
  • Food innovation: developing new products, methods or technologies aimed at sustainability or health.
  • Other related sectors
• Development stage: idea, initial or expansion stages.
• Motivation: Strong commitment and conviction in the importance of the agri-food sector.
• Social impact: Potential for positive community or environmental impact:
  • Community impact: supporting local economies, creating jobs or improving food security.
  • Environmental impact: promoting sustainable practices such as reducing food waste, using environmentally friendly packaging or supporting organic farming.
  • Application of the circular economy concept
• Innovation: Creative solutions to food sector challenges:
  • Introduce new or improved products, services or processes in the food sector such as traceability solutions, inventory management software, etc.
  • Address urban food sector challenges such as short supply chains (local products), food security, health or sustainability with new approaches.
• Scalability: Potential for implementation, growth and expansion.

For more information, visit Hivos.