FAO-HASTEN business Incubation Programme 2025 for youth-led enterprises – Opportunities For Africans

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Application Deadline: 27 June 2025.

Applications at the moment are open for the 2025 FAO-HASTEN business Incubation Programme. HASTEN business incubation programme is now accepting functions from youth-led enterprises in Lesotho, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. This distinctive alternative helps the subsequent technology of meals programs entrepreneurs and enterprises dedicated to constructing sustainable, inclusive and resilient agrifood programs.

HASTEN—Harnessing SDG-based Agrifood System Transformation through the Empowerment of the Next Generation of Agrifood Leadership in Africa— is an FAO venture beneath the Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC), working in Lesotho, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. It goals to:

• promote capability growth in transdisciplinary programs considering for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) interlinkages,
• foster multistakeholder collaboration by strengthening public-private-academic partnerships for inclusive governance,
• and help agripreneurship and youth empowerment by scaling eco-inclusive business fashions that contribute to the SDGs and generate employment.

Requirements

The programme particularly targets SMEs and startups that meet the next standards:

• Legally registered in Lesotho, Rwanda or Sierra Leone
• Operational for 1–3 years
• Led by entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35
• Demonstrate a transparent contribution to sustainable agrifood programs transformation
• Fully adjust to FAO integrity requirements and should not concerned in any UN prohibited or unethical practices

Benefits

• Selected enterprises (8–10 per nation) will take part in a 5-day, in-person incubation workshop, designed to strengthen sustainable business practices and help the expansion of eco-inclusive and socially pushed agripreneurship fashions. They will obtain tailor-made steering to develop sustainable business plans and monetary methods, using interactive workbooks and hands-on instruments, facilitated by worldwide and nationwide coaches.
• The remaining day of every workshop consists of an ecosystem occasion, the place contributors will pitch their business fashions and join with stakeholders from the private and non-private sectors, academia, and growth organizations, opening doorways to future collaboration and elevated visibility within the startup ecosystem.
• In addition, three enterprises per nation might be chosen for tailor-made follow-up help centered on scaling their operations and constructing strategic partnerships.

How to Apply:

1. Read full particulars on the eligibility, exclusion and choice standards on the HASTEN webpage.
2. Fill within the application form by 27 June 2025.
3. Shortlisted candidates might be contacted and might be invited to current their business nearly earlier than remaining picks are made.
4. Incubation workshops might be held in every nation from September – October 2025, with follow-up help for chosen enterprises going down in October- November 2025. 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the FAO-HASTEN business Incubation Programme