Key Takeaways:
- Applications are now open for the second edition of the MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Program (RAVP), running through 2024/2025.
- The program, supported by partners including Goumbook, Saudi Awwal Bank (SAB), HSBC, EIT Food, and the Climate Champions Team, focuses on developing regenerative agriculture solutions tailored to the MENAT region.
- Innovators, researchers, and students can apply until January 6, 2025 at www.MENATRegenerativeAgriculture.com.
- Selected participants will receive training, mentorship, and a chance to win $20,000 grants for scaling their projects.
- Regenerative agriculture offers critical solutions to food security, water management, and ecosystem restoration in arid and water-scarce regions.
Empowering Innovation for Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Goumbook, in collaboration with Saudi Awwal Bank, HSBC, EIT Food, and the Climate Champions Team, has launched the second edition of the MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Program (RAVP). This initiative aims to equip researchers, students, and innovators with the tools to address food security, biodiversity loss, climate change, and water management across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT).
The program’s 2024/2025 cohort will focus on transforming research and nature-based solutions into scalable, accessible outcomes for small to medium farm holders. By fostering collaboration between academia, research institutions, and the business sector, the program aims to address the unique agricultural challenges posed by the region’s arid climate, saline soils, and water scarcity.
“By welcoming a new cohort of change-makers, we aim to further the journey begun last year, where talented researchers laid the groundwork for agricultural solutions that actively combat food, water, and climate issues,” said Samantha Kayruz, Goumbook’s Strategy and Sustainability Impact Director.
Program Details and Benefits
Application Process
- Deadline: January 6, 2025
- Eligibility: Innovators, researchers, and students focusing on regenerative agriculture solutions in the MENAT region.
Program Structure
- Selected Participants: 20 participants will be chosen to take part in intensive boot camps and receive mentorship from industry leaders.
- Final Event: Participants will pitch their solutions, with three winners each receiving $20,000 grants and additional support to scale their projects.
Building on the Success of the Inaugural Cohort
The inaugural 2023/2024 program attracted 158 applicants from 18 countries, representing 19 universities and research institutes. Participants achieved significant milestones, translating research into actionable solutions that enhance climate resilience and food security.
“By fostering a culture of innovation and resilience, we aim to support impactful solutions for Saudi Arabia and the broader region’s unique challenges in soil health, water scarcity, and sustainable food production,” said Faten Abalkail, Chief Governance and Corporate Affairs Officer of SAB.
Why Regenerative Agriculture?
The MENAT region faces pressing agricultural challenges, including:
- Water Scarcity: Agriculture consumes 85% of renewable water resources.
- Land Degradation: Up to 70% of agricultural land is affected by salinity, nutrient depletion, and erosion.
Regenerative agriculture, with its focus on reducing chemical inputs, improving soil health, and adopting resilient crop varieties, offers a path forward. The approach also supports carbon sequestration, addressing both climate mitigation and adaptation goals.
“This initiative aligns with HSBC’s strategy to build global partnerships and support climate-resilient innovations,” said Sabrin Rahman, Head of Sustainability for HSBC in the MENAT region.
Apply Now to Shape the Future of Agriculture
Applications for the 2024/2025 MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Program are open until January 6, 2025.
For more information on the program, eligibility criteria, and how to apply, visit their website.