Deadline: June 27, 2025
Applications are open for the UN FAO HASTEN Business Incubation Programme 2025 for youth-led enterprises in Lesotho, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. This unique opportunity supports the next generation of food systems entrepreneurs and enterprises committed to building sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood systems.
HASTEN—Harnessing SDG-based Agrifood System Transformation through the Empowerment of the Next Generation of Agrifood Leadership in Africa— is an FAO project under the Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC), operating in Lesotho, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. It aims to:
- promote capacity development in transdisciplinary systems thinking for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) interlinkages,
- foster multistakeholder collaboration by strengthening public-private-academic partnerships for inclusive governance,
- and support agripreneurship and youth empowerment by scaling eco-inclusive business models that contribute to the SDGs and generate employment.
Benefits
- Selected enterprises (8–10 per country) will participate in a 5-day, in-person incubation workshop, designed to strengthen sustainable business practices and support the growth of eco-inclusive and socially driven agripreneurship models. They will receive tailored guidance to develop sustainable business plans and financial strategies, utilizing interactive workbooks and hands-on tools, facilitated by international and national coaches.
- The final day of each workshop includes an ecosystem event, where participants will pitch their business models and connect with stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia, and development organizations, opening doors to future collaboration and increased visibility in the startup ecosystem.
- In addition, three enterprises per country will be selected for tailored follow-up support focused on scaling their operations and building strategic partnerships.
Eligibility
The programme specifically targets SMEs and startups that meet the following criteria:
- Legally registered in Lesotho, Rwanda or Sierra Leone;
- Operational for 1–3 years;
- Led by entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35;
- Demonstrate a clear contribution to sustainable agrifood systems transformation;
- Fully comply with FAO integrity standards and are not involved in any UN prohibited or unethical practices.
They are especially looking for:
- Resilience boosting startups that enhance the resilience of agrifood systems to climate change and other systemic shocks and stressors, through sustainable agricultural practices and climate-smart innovations.
- Safe and nutritious food enterprises that produce or enhance access to healthy, nutritious, safe and affordable food, support food quality and safety standards and increase public awareness around nutrition and healthy diet choices.
- Inclusive business models that promote value chain and livelihood opportunities for smallholder farmers, women and youth.
Application
- Shortlisted applicants will be contacted and will be invited to present their business virtually before final selections are made.
- Incubation workshops will be held in each country from September – October 2025, with follow-up support for selected enterprises taking place in October- November 2025.
For more information, visit UN FAO HASTEN Business Incubation Programme.
