The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has launched a US$2 million Call for Proposals to support transformative food systems initiatives across the Central Sahel. The regional grant seeks an eligible organization, government agency, private sector entity, research institution, or consortium to implement innovative interventions that strengthen food security, climate resilience, and inclusive economic growth in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. This funding opportunity focuses on scalable solutions that improve agricultural value chains while creating sustainable livelihoods for rural communities, particularly women and young people. About the IFAD Grant Programme The Support for Food Systems Transformation in the Central Sahel project is financed through an IFAD regional grant valued at US$2 million. The initiative responds to the region’s growing challenges, including food insecurity, conflict, climate change, land degradation, and limited economic opportunities. Working alongside the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, as well as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), IFAD has identified three priority agricultural value chains with high potential for regional transformation: Livestock Cassava Rice Selected projects should deliver innovative, commercially viable, and climate-resilient solutions that strengthen production, processing, marketing, and consumption across these value chains. Grant Value and Project Scope The programme provides catalytic seed financing to support regional initiatives capable of generating long-term, scalable impact. Successful proposals should demonstrate: Regional relevance across the Central Sahel Climate-smart and environmentally sustainable approaches Commercial viability and market-based solutions Inclusion of women and youth Potential for scaling transformative results Contributions to food security and regional economic integration Projects are expected to address critical bottlenecks while unlocking opportunities throughout agricultural and food systems. Eligible Applicants IFAD welcomes proposals from a wide range of institutions with the capacity to implement regional development programmes. Eligible applicants include: Governmental agencies International and national organizations Private sector entities Research institutions Multi-partner consortia Other eligible institutions capable of delivering regional food systems projects Consortium applications are encouraged where complementary expertise can strengthen project delivery across multiple countries. Priority Countries The grant supports interventions implemented within the Central Sahel, specifically: Burkina Faso Mali Niger Proposals should clearly demonstrate regional collaboration and measurable benefits across one or more of these countries. Required Application Documents Applicants must submit a complete electronic application in PDF format. The required documents include: Grant Concept Note Template Self-Certification of Eligibility for IFAD Grant Financing (Standard Form) Self-Certification of Eligibility for IFAD Grant Financing (UN Entities, where applicable) Institutional Profile Template General Provisions Applicable to IFAD Grant Agreements Incomplete submissions may not be considered during the evaluation process. Why This Funding Opportunity Matters The Central Sahel remains one of the world’s most vulnerable regions to food insecurity and climate-related shocks. By investing in resilient agricultural value chains, the IFAD programme aims to increase rural incomes, strengthen regional markets, improve nutrition, and create employment opportunities for underserved communities. The emphasis on livestock, cassava, and rice reflects sectors with strong potential to attract private investment while supporting sustainable food systems transformation across West Africa. How to Prepare a Competitive Proposal Organizations should ensure their proposal presents a clear strategy for achieving measurable regional impact. Strong applications typically include: A well-defined problem statement supported by evidence Innovative and scalable technical solutions Strong partnerships across participating countries Gender and youth inclusion strategies Climate resilience and environmental sustainability measures A realistic implementation and monitoring framework Clear commercial and financial sustainability plans Applicants should closely follow the official concept note template and evaluation criteria provided by IFAD. Important Deadlines Two key deadlines apply to this Call for Proposals: ActivityDeadlineDeadline for submitting questions2 October 2026Final proposal submission16 October 2026, 23:59 GMT Questions should be submitted to the official IFAD email address before the enquiry deadline. Responses will be published through the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section of the call webpage. How to Apply Eligible organizations must submit all required application documents electronically in PDF format to the official IFAD submission email before 16 October 2026 at 23:59 GMT. Applicants should review the complete Call for Proposals, evaluation methodology, concept note template, eligibility forms, and grant provisions before preparing their submission. VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) does not take ownership or credit for the opportunities shared on this platform. All opportunities are sourced from official announcements and external sources for informational purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to verify all details, deadlines, and eligibility requirements from the official source before applying. Opportunities may be updated or changed by the providing organisations.