Our most read news of 2021

A new training series under the Fit For Market programme focuses on “Environmental Sustainability Management”. It covers sustainable management of soil, water and waste. Since May 2021, pairs of our ACP expert trainers have delivered online group training to 134 participants from around 30 countries. At the end of the training, companies are offered additional support through in-company coaching. You can read more about this “cascading” capacity building here.

In June, an online workshop from the Fit For Market SPS programme presented the changes and potential impacts of the new European Union (EU) Organic Regulation 2018/848, which enters into force in January 2022. COLEACP’s latest “Update on the new EU Organic Regulation and associated Implementing and Delegated Acts” (November 2021) is available here.

The Pan-African Farmers’ Organization (PAFO) and COLEACP (through the Fit For Market programmes) jointly organise the Innovations Series of webinars, which highlight African farmer-led businesses and SMEs. The first five sessions have reached out to 1,782 participants from more than 100 countries worldwide. Each session includes contributions from inspiring entrepreneurs, some of whom are showcased in this article.

This innovative STDF-funded project to develop the skills of young technical managers provides a model for future training. The project was implemented by COLEACP in collaboration with Togolese companies, working in partnership with the European Union Delegation, the German development agency GIZ, the Plant Protection Directorate (DPV) of Togo, and the producers’ association APROTELF. In June we celebrated the enthusiasm, motivation and endurance of all 22 young participants receiving their certificates, as well as the dedication of the trainers and the strong involvement of the Togolese companies. You can read more about the project here.