Applications are now open for the 2026 Power of Diversity Grants Programme, a funding initiative designed to support innovative projects that promote the production, processing, marketing, and consumption of underutilized yet highly valuable crops.

The programme will invest a total of €2.2 million in selected projects across six countries: Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Colombia. The initiative aims to strengthen opportunity crop value chains while enhancing food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and livelihood opportunities.

Managed through the Power of Diversity Funding Facility, the grant programme supports practical interventions that help unlock the potential of nutritious and climate-adapted crops that remain largely overlooked despite their importance to local communities and agricultural systems.

About the Grant Programme

The funding opportunity seeks proposals that contribute to stronger and more sustainable value chains for priority opportunity crops identified through national consultations and value chain assessments.

Selected projects should address challenges and opportunities within one or more stages of the value chain, helping increase the availability, accessibility, and market competitiveness of these crops.

Projects may focus on areas such as:

• Improving seed systems and access to quality planting materials
• Promoting climate-smart and sustainable agricultural practices
• Enhancing post-harvest handling and storage
• Strengthening processing and value addition
• Expanding market opportunities and value chain efficiency
• Increasing public awareness and consumer demand
• Supporting biodiversity conservation and sustainable food systems

Proposal Requirements

Project proposals should clearly demonstrate:

• Defined objectives, activities, and expected outcomes
• A realistic implementation timeline
• Key milestones and deliverables
• Long-term sustainability and scaling potential
• Integration of crop diversity conservation and utilization
• Engagement with relevant stakeholders and existing initiatives
• A detailed and justified project budget

Strong proposals should show how the intervention will contribute to resilient food systems, improved livelihoods, and greater use of opportunity crops.

Eligible Countries

Funding is available for projects operating within the programme’s target countries:

• Uganda
• Kenya
• Tanzania
• Zambia
• Nigeria
• Colombia

Projects must align with the identified crop priorities and intervention areas established for each participating country.

Important Dates

• Questions submission deadline: 25 May 2026
• Virtual information session: 29 May 2026
• Proposal submission deadline: 3 July 2026
• Notification of selected grantees: 10 August 2026
• Project implementation begins: 1 October 2026
• Project completion deadline: 31 March 2029

Selection Process

All submitted applications will undergo review by an independent expert evaluation panel. Proposals will be assessed based on relevance, technical quality, potential impact, sustainability, scalability, and value for money.

The programme seeks to support a diverse portfolio of projects that collectively strengthen opportunity crop value chains across participating countries.

About the Power of Diversity Funding Facility

The Power of Diversity Funding Facility is a global initiative dedicated to promoting the conservation, cultivation, and consumption of underutilized opportunity crops. Through targeted investments, the programme aims to improve nutrition, strengthen climate resilience, support biodiversity conservation, and create economic opportunities for farming communities.

The initiative is supported by international development partners committed to advancing sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems worldwide.

Scroll down for more details and click on the official link attached to apply now.