AfroGrow Platform

AfroGrow is transforming agroforestry across Africa.

AfroGrow creates dynamic, multifunctional landscapes that strengthen food security, address climate change, and support biodiversity across Africa.
The project is transforming agroforestry by promoting sustainable systems that enhance climate resilience, food security, biodiversity, and gender equity. Through six Living Labs in Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, and Zambia, AfroGrow serves as a platform for innovation, collaboration, and knowledge exchange, blending traditional practices with modern tools. By co-creating scalable solutions with local communities and driving policy impact, AfroGrow strengthens agroforestry practices while fostering mutual learning and enabling shared innovation between African and European partners.
Call:

HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01

Topic:

HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-10

Type of action:

HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

GA No.

101182027

Starting date:

1 January 2025

Ending Date:

31 December 2028

Partners:

25

Countries:

Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Zambia, Belgium, Cyprus, Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom

Degrading African drylands

75
%

Deforestating hectares per year

3900
K

Challenges

Africa’s landscapes are increasingly threatened by climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and deforestation. These challenges have direct and far-reaching impacts on food security, ecosystems, and the livelihoods of millions.
Compounding the crisis are weak policy support, persistent poverty, gender inequality, and limited access to resources, all of which continue to hinder the resilience and progress of local communities across Africa.
  • Widespread Land Degradation

    75% of Africa’s drylands are degrading, pushing rural communities deeper into poverty.

  • Intensifying Extreme Weather

    Droughts, floods, and heatwaves are becoming more frequent and severe, threatening food production.

  • Rapid Deforestation

    3.9 million hectares of forest are lost annually, shrinking ecosystems and increasing carbon emissions.

  • Loss of Biodiversity

    Vital plant and animal species are vanishing, mainly due to habitat destruction and unsustainable land use.

  • Limited Support for Smallholder Farmers

    Many smallholders lack access to quality seeds, water, finance, and climate-resilient solutions.

  • Inequity in Land and Resources

    Gender gaps in land rights and inputs make women farmers more vulnerable to climate and economic shocks.

Each of these challenges is local, but their impact is global.

Our Vision

AfroGrow addresses region-specific challenges across Africa through its six Living Labs, focusing on the urgent need for climate-smart, inclusive, and sustainable agroforestry systems. By promoting eco-friendly, healthy, and circular practices, AfroGrow envisions the creation of resilient agroforestry ecosystems that support both people and the planet.  Through the use of digital tools and knowledge-sharing networks, AfroGrow balances environmental conservation with socio-economic development, while strengthening EU-AU partnerships. At its core, AfroGrow is committed to laying the foundation for prosperity, equity, and sustainability for future generations.

Innovating through Living Labs
AfroGrow establishes Living Labs across Africa to act as innovation hubs, demonstrating the benefits and viability of agroforestry practices and technologies in real-life settings.
By identifying the most suitable plant and animal species for different African regions, we aim to support balanced ecosystems, improve community well-being, and protect planetary health.
AfroGrow evaluates how agroforestry enhances soil health, biodiversity, socio-economic conditions, and community well-being, while addressing potential challenges.
AfroGrow’s digital tools and training programs make agroforestry more accessible, demonstrating the economic benefits of carbon farming and strengthening the entire value chain.
By promoting sustainable agroforestry, AfroGrow aims to reduce social inequalities, strengthen social bonds, and improve resilience to climate challenges.
AfroGrow delivers data-driven policy recommendations to strengthen AU-EU collaborations, supporting green transitions and advancing climate adaptation strategies.

Key Results

AfroGrow Platform

A dynamic digital hub that integrates AfroGrow’s interactive tools, data, and knowledge to support sustainable agroforestry across Africa. It connects stakeholders across Africa and Europe, fosters long-term collaboration, promotes gender equity, and ensures innovations create lasting impact in policy and practice.
Key Features
  • Hosts tools like the Climate-Smart Planner and Traceability Framework
  • Connects AU–EU stakeholders through a shared workspace
  • Stores data from Living Labs for long-term use
  • Promotes gender inclusion and transparency

Climate-Smart Agroforestry Planner

A web-based decision-support tool within the AfroGrow Platform that integrates real-world data from Living Labs, suitability maps, and species databases. The planner supports strategic planning at broader scales and helps design optimal agroforestry systems tailored to environmental and socio-economic contexts, informing policy and land-use decisions.

Key Features
  • Recommends the best-suited plant and animal species for a given location
  • Optimises management practices for climate resilience and biodiversity
  • Supports adaptive planning and carbon farming strategies
  • Offers policy-relevant insights for informed decision-making

AfroGrow App

A mobile crowdsourcing and mapping tool that supports community-based agroforestry management across Africa. Designed to work even in remote areas, the app collects local data and provides tailored recommendations to help land users make better, climate-smart decisions in real time.
Key Features
  • Enables local data input on species, soil, and practices
  • Delivers personalised feedback and agroforestry guidance
  • Functions in low-connectivity environments
  • Enhances community-driven decision-making

Pan-African Agroforestry Hub

A central collaborative space to connect policymakers, communities, and entrepreneurs across Africa. The hub strengthens post-project partnerships, supports capacity building, and encourages long-term adoption of sustainable agroforestry practices across the continent.
Key Features
  • Bridges Living Labs and local communities
  • Supports networking, training, and innovation exchange
  • Promotes post-project sustainability and partnerships
  • Acts as a regional agroforestry knowledge center

E-Learning Platform

An open-access digital platform offering training and knowledge resources tailored to local contexts. It supports skill-building and information exchange to strengthen agroforestry management and promote regional development.
Key Features
  • Offers interactive training materials and case studies
  • Adapts to local languages and community needs
  • Encourages peer-to-peer learning and knowledge sharing
  • Builds skills for climate-resilient agroforestry

Policy Recommendations

Concise, evidence-based insights that guide policy development for sustainable agroforestry at regional and Pan-African levels. Built on data from AfroGrow’s Living Labs and tools, these recommendations support effective, long-term decision-making.

Key Features
  • Translates research into actionable policy proposals
  • Supports climate, biodiversity, and land-use strategies
  • Aligns with AU–EU priorities and Sustainable Development Goals
  • Promotes lasting impact through informed policies

Target Groups

AfroGrow brings together diverse groups across Africa to work on sustainable farming, food production, climate change, and carbon farming. By overcoming obstacles to adopting new practices, we aim to create stronger, more resilient farming systems. We’re focused on improving the environment and tackling issues like climate change, inequality, and water security. Our work benefits communities in both Africa and Europe:

Research &
Academia

AfroGrow fosters collaborative, interdisciplinary research, enhancing cross-border academic efforts. The project promotes skill development for young scientists, contributing to innovation and knowledge advancement in agroforestry.

Policymakers

AfroGrow engages policymakers at local, national, and regional levels to support the development and implementation of evidence-based policies that foster sustainable agroforestry.

Investment advisors
in agroforestry

With AfroGrow, investment opportunities in agroforestry become clearer, leveraging advanced digital tools. This ensures alignment with sustainable agriculture strategies, providing credible analyses and maximising returns while supporting green initiatives.

Land Managers, Farmers, and Pastoralists

Proven agroforestry practices contribute to environmental performance and carbon sequestration, ensuring equitable access to resources. This enhances productivity and sustainability across diverse regions.

Agricultural/Agroforestry/Livestock Extension services

AfroGrow's solutions equip extension services with scientific evidence and innovative tools. These enhance advisory support for integrating sustainable practices and creating forward-thinking business models.

Agroforestry industry

AfroGrow fosters innovation, market development, and value chain integration, while promoting sustainable sourcing, product diversification, and circular economy principles. Through collaboration and access to data-driven tools, AfroGrow enables businesses to unlock new economic opportunities across the agroforestry sector.

Media

AfroGrow provides accurate, impactful information, enabling effective awareness campaigns about sustainable agroforestry. This fosters a deeper public understanding of climate resilience and innovative agricultural solutions.

Civil Society

The project raises awareness of sustainable practices, encouraging informed decision-making and advocacy for gender-responsive policies. It connects individuals with innovative approaches to address pressing local and global agricultural challenges.

Research Projects

AfroGrow contributes to dynamic partnerships by sharing insights, addressing food security, and driving evidence-based policy development. This strengthens agroforestry management and the broader AU-EU collaboration.

Informed Decision-Making for Agroforestry Systems in Africa through a Network of Living Labs

FOLLOW US:

Project Coordinator

Prof. Diofantos Hadjimitsis

Scientific Coordinator

Dr. Ioannis Varvaris

Project Communication

Georgia Michailidou

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

AfroGrow project – 2025 © All rights reserved