FoodSafety4Africa has announced an open call for applications to support innovation hubs in training FS4Africa use case partners and Open Call 1 beneficiaries. The initiative aims to deliver mentoring and capacity-building programs designed to accelerate innovative business concepts, including social innovation and upscaling, within the African and European food systems.
Program Focus
• Refining value propositions and identifying target markets in African and European food systems.
• Strengthening business models, revenue streams, and financial sustainability beyond grant funding.
• Promoting social innovation approaches, including community engagement, gender inclusion, and local embedding.
• Identifying feasible upscaling and replication pathways.
• Enhancing market access, regulatory awareness, and ecosystem integration.
• Developing impact measurement and investment-readiness strategies.
Funding and Eligibility
• Total Budget: €200,000 to support at least five projects.
• Funding Allocation: Up to €40,000 per selected project through Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP).
• Eligible Applicants: The opportunity is open to innovation hubs.
• Application Structure: Applications will only be accepted from one entity per proposal; consortia are not permitted.
Project Requirements
• Program Structure: Each selected project must design and implement a structured program of at least six training–mentoring activities.
• Implementation Period: The program must be completed within an eight-month period.
• Activity Criteria: Activities must have clearly defined objectives, target beneficiaries, learning outcomes, delivery methods, and follow-up actions. Activities consisting solely of lectures without structured mentoring or measurable outputs will not meet requirements.
• Beneficiary Support: Applicants must deliver at least two training activities supporting at least two different Open Call 1 beneficiaries, tailored to their specific food safety challenges.
Call for Evaluators
• Role: FS4Africa is seeking independent evaluators to review Open Call 2 applications.
• Eligibility: Applicants must be nationals of an EU or Horizon Europe associated country.
• Expertise: Required expertise includes food safety systems and experience evaluating European Commission proposals or similar programs. Knowledge of innovation and entrepreneurship support in the African informal sector is an advantage.
• Conflict of Interest: Evaluators must not be affiliated with any organization applying to the FS4Africa Open Call or participating in the FS4Africa consortium.
Application Deadline
• Deadline Date: August 31, 2026
For comprehensive details on the application process, eligibility criteria, and program objectives, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official FS4Africa website.