About this opportunity
Applications are now open for the NourishNext West Africa Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge 2026, a regional initiative supporting youth-led innovations that strengthen nutritious fruit and vegetable value chains across West Africa. The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) leads the challenge for Improved Nutrition in partnership with the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and national implementing partners across Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal.
The initiative is supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The programme seeks innovative solutions that improve the processing, preservation, packaging, transportation, marketing, distribution, and consumption of fruits and vegetables while promoting resilient, inclusive, and nutrition-sensitive food systems.
Competition Categories Applicants can submit innovations in one of the following areas: Value addition and processing innovations for fruit and vegetable value chains Integration of locally produced fruits and vegetables into public nutrition and social protection systems Market and supply chain solutions that improve the availability, safety, and desirability of fruits and vegetables Consumer behaviour change initiatives that promote healthy diets and increased fruit and vegetable consumption
Eligibility
Applicants must: Be between 18 and 35 years old (women-led enterprises are eligible up to 40 years) Lead a youth-led enterprise or innovation operating in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, or Senegal Have an innovation that addresses at least one of the competition categories Operate within or directly support the fruit and vegetable value chain Benefits Selected innovators will receive: USD 5,000 in seed funding Tailored technical mentorship from industry experts Capacity-building and business development support Access to national and regional networking opportunities Opportunity to showcase their innovations at the NourishNext West Africa Regional Showcase in Dakar, Senegal Exposure to policymakers, investors, development partners, and private sector leaders
Documents to prepare
Applicants will need to submit: A completed online application form Proof of age (National ID, passport, or birth certificate) Evidence that the innovation is operational, such as: Photos Customer testimonials Financial records Pilot reports Other relevant supporting documents
Application steps
Interested applicants can submit their applications through the official application form: https://docs. google.
com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScwqqFOBTSJrb1UifeaZPXUwNHhMSWAFeREo3fXcLb5MtQqzQ/viewform
Who can apply
- Eligibility Criteria Applicants must: Be between 18 and 35 years old (women-led enterprises are eligible up to 40 years) Lead a youth-led enterprise or innovation operating in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, or Senegal Have an innovation that addresses
Sources and verification
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