Are you a young agripreneur in Rwanda driving food systems transformation? Apply now for the 2025 FAO-HASTEN Business Incubation Programme by 27 June 2025.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is now accepting applications for the 2025 FAO-HASTEN Business Incubation Programme — a unique opportunity for youth-led enterprises in Lesotho, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone committed to building sustainable, inclusive, and resilient agrifood systems.

This initiative is part of HASTEN—Harnessing SDG-based Agrifood System Transformation through the Empowerment of the Next Generation of Agrifood Leadership in Africa—a project funded under FAO’s Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC) and operating in Lesotho, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone.

HASTEN aims to:

  • Promote capacity development in transdisciplinary systems thinking for SDG interlinkages
  • Foster multistakeholder collaboration through strengthened public-private-academic partnerships
  • Support agripreneurship and youth empowerment by scaling eco-inclusive business models that generate employment and contribute to the SDGs

Up to 8–10 enterprises per country will be selected to join a five-day, in-person incubation workshop focused on:

  • Strengthening sustainable and inclusive business practices
  • Developing tailored business plans and financial strategies
  • Engaging in hands-on sessions led by international and national coaches
  • Leveraging interactive tools and workbooks to build viable growth models

The final day of the workshop includes an ecosystem networking event, where participants will pitch their business models to a broad audience of public and private sector stakeholders, academia, and development partners.

In addition, three enterprises per country will be selected for tailored follow-up support aimed at scaling their operations and building strategic partnerships.

Interested applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Legally registered in Lesotho, Rwanda, or Sierra Leone
  • Operational for 1–3 years
  • Led by entrepreneurs aged 18–35
  • Demonstrate a clear contribution to sustainable agrifood systems transformation
  • Comply fully with FAO integrity standards and must not be engaged in any UN-prohibited or unethical practices

Shortlisted applicants will be contacted to present their business virtually before final selection. Review full eligibility, exclusion, and selection details on the HASTEN webpage.