TERMS OF REFERENCE CALL FOR STUDENT SPONSORSHIP FOR THE 2ND EASTERN AFRICA AGROECOLOGY CONFERENCE

Introduction

Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) is a not-for-profit organization established in Kenya in 2009 by the  Biovision Foundation for ecological development in Switzerland and supported by the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Nairobi. The Trust’s goal is to  alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Kenya and other African countries through supporting dissemination of information and knowledge on appropriate technologies to improve human, animal, plant, and environmental health. BvAT is seeking for students to participate in the upcoming 2nd Eastern Africa AgroecologyConference to be held from the 25th to 28th March at Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi Kenya.

About the conference:

BvAT, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and over twenty partners under the African Union (AU) Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative are organising the 2nd Eastern Africa Agroecology Conference to be held from 25th – 28th March 2025 in Nairobi.
Conference Theme: Strengthening Agri-Food System Transformation for Resilience, Sustainability and Socioeconomic Development.

Sub themes:

1. Pathways for enhancing production, productivity and sustainability of agri-food systems with agroecological interventions
2. Food security, nutrition, and health nexus: Soil health and farmer managed seed systems
3. Movements for empowerment of women and youth in agroecology
4. Trade, markets and economy: Implications for agroecological transitions
5. Institutional and policy opportunities for unlocking potential of agroecology in agri-food systems
6. Financing mechanisms for agroecological pathways and transitions

Our website: https://ea-agroecologyconference.org

The AU EOA Initiative is implemented under the guidance and oversight of the AU chaired Continental Steering Committee (CSC) to establish an African organic farming platform based on available best practices; and to develop sustainable organic farming systems and improve seed quality. Its mission is to promote ecologically sound strategies and practices among diverse stakeholders involved in production, processing, marketing, and policy making to safeguard the environment, improve livelihoods, alleviate poverty and guarantee food security among farmers in Africa.

The goal of the EOA Initiative is to contribute to mainstreaming of EOA into national agricultural production systems by 2025 to improve agricultural productivity, food security, access to markets and sustainable development in Africa. In addition, these efforts are hoped to reduce exploitation of the organic farmers in Africa. The initiative embraces holistic production systems that sustain the health of soils, ecosystems, and people, and relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions rather than reliance on the use of external inputs with adverse effects on people’s total health (human, animal, plant and environmental). Kenya has been one of the Eastern Africa countries participating in the continental initiative.
Building on the first conference, held in Safari Park Hotel in 2023 and brought together about 600 participants, this second conference will attract over 700 participants from governments, private sector, farmers and farmers associations, NGOs, academia, research institutions, investors, strategic and development partners. The conference will connect biotrade actors, including investors, researchers, buyers and innovators and explore how the biotrade sector is addressing quality, market access, regulatory compliance and global competitiveness. The conference also aims toinvoke consciousness and motivate national, regional and continental institutions to invest in interventions that will ameliorate the negative impacts of the current unsustainable food systems and take deliberate measures towards more environmentally friendly solutions with long-term vision and planning. It will be a hybrid event comprising in-person attendance and livestreaming for on-line participants.

Purpose of the call:

The sponsorship courtesy of University of Bonn will expose students to various learnings linkingtheir studies to Agroecological work in Africa. Specifically, the students will be aligned with two sub-themes of the conference as follows:
❖ Sub theme 3: Movements for empowerment of women and youth in agroecology
❖ Sub theme 5: Institutional and policy opportunities for unlocking potential of agroecology in agri-food systems

Qualifications and experience:

Master’s or PhD students with experience or active research in Land Use Policies or related fields.
The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

1.  A deep understanding of how policy decisions influence various SDGs at both Regional and National levels.
2. A clear knowledge of the role of Regional and National Science Policy Interfaces (SPIs) in shaping land use policy decisions.
3. Awareness of how Land Use conflicts and synergies are considered in the work of SPIs and thereby promoting sustainable solutions.
4.  Insight into factors driving coherent Land Use Policies.

Duration:

❖ 2 weeks
❖ Conference period, 25th to 28th March 2025.
❖ Reporting period, 31st March to 4th April 2025.

Application process and requirements:

Documentation to demonstrate that the student meets the qualification requirements should be provided.
It should include the following:

1. An application letter requesting sponsorship and providing justification on how the conference will benefit their studies.
2. A valid student ID card from a recognized University in Kenya.
3. Approved thesis from the University in Land Use Policy and related work.
4. Recommendation letter from the University.

How to Apply:

If you are interested in taking part at the conference and can demonstrate your ability to meet the qualifications required, then submit your CV, cover letter and an abstract to info@eaagroecologyconference.org with the subject heading: CALL FOR STUDENT SPONSORSHIP FOR THE 2ND EASTERN AFRICA AGROECOLOGY CONFERENCE
The closing date for applications is 17th March 2025. Only shortlisted students will be contacted.

Benefits

If you meet the above requirements and are selected as a beneficiary, BvAT will pay for the registration fee and transport within Nairobi to and from the conference

Download the Printable Version Here