Country: Nigeria
Africa Food Changemakers - Building Resilience Against Climate and Environmental Shocks (BRACE) program.
About The Project
The Building Resilience Against Climate and Environmental Shocks (BRACE) program, led by Africa Food Changemakers and supported by Verst Carbon, is a capacity development initiative designed to support agripreneurs—small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the agribusiness sector—by helping them recognize how their businesses are affected by climate change. The program equips agripreneurs with strategies to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change by adopting climate-smart practices and tapping into climate finance opportunities. BRACE is structured as a hybrid learning
experience, combining training, peer-to-peer learning, networking, practical assignments, and the co-creation of solutions to foster climate resilience. The program’s goal is to empower agripreneurs to not only sustain their businesses in the face of climate challenges but also to drive the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices across Africa. With monthly webinars attracting over 400 participants, BRACE leverages an intensive, hands-on learning approach to ensure agripreneurs gain the skills, knowledge, and tools needed to enhance their climate resilience and thrive in a changing environment.
The Problem
Africa’s agricultural SMEs, many of which are the backbone of local economies, face mounting challenges due to the impacts of climate change. Erratic weather patterns, droughts, floods, and other climate shocks pose significant risks to agricultural productivity and profitability. Despite the growing awareness of these challenges, many agripreneurs lack the knowledge and capacity to adopt climate-smart practices that could mitigate the effects of climate change on their businesses. Furthermore, limited access to climate finance opportunities hinders their ability to invest in sustainable solutions that could enhance resilience and long-term business growth.
The Solution
BRACE addresses these challenges by providing agripreneurs with the necessary tools and knowledge to build climate resilience. The program is designed to foster a deep understanding of the climate risks that businesses face and offer actionable solutions to adapt to those risks. Through a combination of diagnostic tools, peer learning, practical applications, and expert mentorship, BRACE helps agripreneurs develop tailored strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change on their businesses.
Program Components / Benefits:
Climate Diagnostic Tool
The program begins with the deployment of a diagnostic tool to assess participants’ level of awareness about the impact of climate change on their agribusinesses. This tool also evaluates their familiarity with local climate solutions and readiness to implement them.
Greening Agribusinesses
Participants engage in practical assignments that help them “green” their businesses, positioning them to take advantage of climate financing opportunities. By the end of the program, participants will have implemented strategies to reduce their environmental footprint and increase their sustainability.
Self-Paced Learning
The core of the program is a six-week online learning experience, offering a relevant and practical climate curriculum tailored to agripreneurs. This self-paced format allows participants to learn at their own convenience, ensuring they can balance their learning with ongoing business operations.
Interactive Learning and Peer Engagement
BRACE emphasizes the importance of peer-to-peer learning, networking, and collaboration. Participants engage in group discussions, share experiences, and co-create solutions. These interactions not only enhance learning but also build a strong community of agripreneurs who can support each other in navigating climate challenges.
Access to Experts and Mentoring
Throughout the program, participants have direct access to industry experts, trainers, and successful agripreneurs via live interactive and mentoring sessions. These sessions provide valuable insights, personalized feedback, and expert advice on climate-smart practices and business strategies.
Resources and Tools for Investment
BRACE provides participants with access to information, resources, and tools necessary for making informed decisions that lead to sustainable climate solutions. This includes guidance on how to leverage climate finance opportunities, secure investments, and position their businesses for long-term success.
AFC Hub Membership
Upon completion of the program, participants gain access to the AFC hub community, which offers additional resources, data, funding support, and market linkages. This extended network helps agripreneurs enhance business visibility, profitability, and growth.
Impact Made So Far
The BRACE program empowers African agripreneurs to build resilience against climate change by providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt to environmental shocks. The program fosters a strong understanding of climate-smart practices, enabling participants to implement sustainable solutions that reduce their climate risk. Through this initiative, Verst Carbon aims to strengthen Africa’s agricultural sector by creating a
generation of agripreneurs who are equipped to navigate the challenges posed by climate change.
BRACE’s holistic approach to capacity building ensures that agripreneurs are not only prepared to face climate shocks but are also positioned to lead the transformation towards sustainable agriculture in Africa.
Key outcomes include:
Increased Climate Resilience
Agripreneurs develop and implement strategies to reduce their vulnerability to climate change, improving their ability to sustain and grow their businesses.
Adoption of Climate-Smart Practices
Participants gain practical experience in applying climate-smart agricultural techniques, reducing their environmental impact, and contributing to broader sustainability efforts in their regions.
Access to Climate Finance
By equipping participants with the skills to leverage climate finance opportunities, BRACE helps agripreneurs secure the funding needed to invest in sustainable business practices.
Stronger Agribusiness Networks
Through peer learning and networking, participants build valuable connections with fellow agripreneurs, industry experts, and financial supporters, fostering collaboration and innovation within the agricultural ecosystem.