Resilient Agriculture Innovations for Nature (RAIN) Challenge 2024

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 will align potential funders to these initiatives and drive attention to the urgent need for agricultural systems transformation.

We are looking for innovative and scalable nature positive solutions that drive investment in ecosystems and increase resilience while resulting in a stronger and better context for nature positive agriculture to flourish. The initiatives must build resilience for those most vulnerable to shocks and stresses, and include a focus on gender, equity and human rights, and protect biodiversity. Specific awards will be considered for initiatives with women and young people as end users, and within these women-led and youth-led initiatives are preferred.

• Table of Content
• About United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
• RAIN RAIN Challenge
• Aim and Benefits of RAIN RAIN Challenge
• Requirements for RAIN RAIN Challenge Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for RAIN RAIN Challenge
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

When the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was created, it brought together several existing foreign assistance organizations and programs. Until then, there had never been a single agency charged with foreign economic development, so with the passage of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (pdf) by Congress, U.S. foreign assistance activities underwent a major transformation. Leading this transformation was President John F. Kennedy. President Kennedy recognized the need to unite development into a single agency responsible for administering aid to foreign ... continue reading

RAIN RAIN Challenge

Aim and Benefits of RAIN RAIN Challenge

• Winners will be connected with potential funders, donors, and investors. As well as receive a tailored mentoring program and communications support.
• The 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 shortlisted entrants.
• Winners will also receive a cash prize after the initial mentoring period and after the leadership academy.

Requirements for RAIN RAIN Challenge Qualification

RAIN is open to not-for-profit organisations across public, local civil society, international NGOs and academia, as well as for-profit organisations, farmers, and entrepreneurs in East Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda). We encourage and welcome proposals from youth-led and women-led organisations.

Interview date, Process and Venue for RAIN RAIN Challenge

Timeline

• Application window from 10 December 2023 – 30 January 2024. 
• Webinar for potential applicants on 22 January 2024 from 15:00 – 16:00 EAT. Register for the webinar here: https://stockholmuniversity.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_gcb4xe_cQwaE1WynIFJTvQ#/registration
• Application due on 30 January 2024. 
• Shortlisted applicants will be notified by mid-march 2024.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For profit organisations

• For profit guidelines available here. 
• For profit application form here

Non-profit organisations

• Non-profit guidelines available here. 
• Non profit application form here

For more details,visit RAIN website