Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature (RAIN) Challenge
RAIN aims to convert seed-level innovative agricultural ideas that are meeting resilience needs in East Africa and scale them to sustainable business ideas of interest to private investors and funders.
Kelvin Trautman | Kands Collective
Although the agricultural sector is rapidly becoming more susceptible to the harsh impacts of climate change, it is ripe with innovation and transformation potential. Supporting agricultural entrepreneurs’ resilient climate solutions is essential to adapt to climate change, build resilient food systems and enhance biodiversity. The United Nations at the UN Food System Summit (UNFSS) and through the UN Climate Change Conferences has called for a transformative response to agricultural development from the private sector. However, private capital is only available if resilience investments can show that they can potentially generate acceptable risk-adjusted returns.
In response, Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) has partnered with the Shockwave Foundation and the Munich Re Foundation on the Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature (RAIN) challenge. RAIN aims to convert seed-level innovative agricultural ideas that are meeting resilience needs in East Africa and scale them to sustainable business ideas of interest to private investors and funders. The aim is to identify new innovative agricultural initiatives and provide customised support to maximise each initiative’s potential for impact. The challenge aligns potential funders to these initiatives and drive attention to the urgent need for agricultural systems transformation.
RAIN is open to rural farmers, entrepreneurs, organizations or consortiums of organizations across public, private, civil society and grassroots organizations as well as academia in East Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda).
Winners will be connected to investors, receive a tailored mentoring program, and communications support. In addition, winners will be invited to an investor forum and pitching session in-person or virtually. Subject matter experts will facilitate a leadership academy for the winning entrants. Winners will also receive a cash prize after the initial mentoring period and after the leadership academy.
RAIN Phase I
RAIN Phase I was launched at COP27, and the shortlisted projects were announced in 2023. There are 18 shortlisted projects representing both for profit and non-profit organisations in East Africa. They are currently undergoing an initial mentoring period.
