We are pleased to announce that the 7th Call for the Formative Assessment of Soil Projects (FASP) has now concluded. Of the five projects evaluated, two successfully met the FASP criteria by demonstrating strong alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the "4 per 1000" vision, and have received the endorsement of the "4 per 1000" Initiative. The other projects, that participated in the evaluation process, were provided with detailed advice on opportunities for project refinement.

MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme

The MENAT Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme is an accelerator that identifies and supports regional research, scientific, and nature-based innovations through tailored learning journeys, bootcamps, mentorship, grants, and incubation opportunities to advance regenerative agriculture in the region. By strengthening awareness, technical capacity, and entrepreneurial skills, the programme enables researchers and academic institutions to scale their impact while fostering cross-sector collaboration. Focused on MENAT’s specific agricultural challenges, including arid landscapes, land degradation, saline soils, desertification, and water scarcity, the programme has demonstrated remarkable regional engagement since its launch in December 2023. It has attracted over 660 registrations from 65 countries and more than 80 academic institutions, resulting in 160 validated applications and the creation of a database of over 900 academic and research institutes. Notably, 32.9% of the 40 developed solutions were led by female researchers, underscoring the programme’s commitment to inclusive innovation. The initiative has awarded $90,000 in grants to six selected solutions and delivered 90 hours of mentorship and 30 hours of workshops with 17 expert speakers, supported by 23 mentors and 25 judges. This comprehensive support has led to significant outcomes, including patent achievements such as KAUST’s Affordable Nanotech for Arid Environments and Cyanoboost biofertilizers, startup launches like EcoCyan and The Waste Lab, and international recognition at AgriNext 2024 and AgraME 2024. The programme culminated in the inaugural MENAT Regional Regenerative Agriculture Summit in May 2025 in Riyadh, held under the patronage of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture. Strategic partnerships with HSBC, Saudi Awwal Bank, EIT Food, and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions help ensure that supported solutions transition from research to real-world application while contributing to enabling policy environments.

HURISOIL

The HURISOIL project aims to restore soil fertility, strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable rural communities, and promote sustainable agricultural practices in western Cameroon. Led by the international NGO HURIFBA – Human Rights and Forest Brain Africa, HURISOIL combines the regeneration of degraded land, community reforestation, agroecology, and environmental education. It promotes carbon sequestration in soils through practices such as composting, mulching, cover crops, and sustainable organic matter management. The project also emphasizes social inclusion, providing practical training, technical support, and access to resources for people with disabilities, rural women, and youth. An agroecological pilot center will serve as a hub for local innovation and demonstration of climate-friendly agricultural practices. By empowering communities and valuing local knowledge, HURISOIL seeks to improve livelihoods sustainably while restoring ecosystems.

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