On January 14, 2025, the AfroGrow project held its virtual kick-off meeting, officially launching this EU-funded initiative dedicated to advancing agroforestry Living Labs for sustainable African growth. Coordinated by the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence (ECoE), the project, which began on January 1, 2025, brings together 25 partners from 15 European and African countries to foster sustainable growth through agroforestry systems that enhance climatic resilience and support biodiversity, implemented through six Living Labs across Africa.  

With a budget of nearly €6 million, the project is set to drive innovation, encourage circular practices, and reinforce EU-AU partnerships to address urgent challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and socio-economic inequalities.  

The event opened with a welcome by Prof. Diofantos Hadjimitsis, Managing Director of ECoE, who expressed his confidence in the project’s future: “AfroGrow is going to be a four-year journey, and I am confident it will succeed.”  

The meeting also featured presentations from consortium partners, including Ioannis Varvaris, the Deputy Research Coordinator of ECoE, who provided an overview of AfroGrow’s implementation strategy and key objectives.  

Looking ahead, partners will convene in Kenya from March 10–12, 2025, for an in-person meeting to align on a shared vision and ensure AfroGrow’s activities address real-world challenges and opportunities.