She Grows Green Cohort 1 Program @SEDA Initiative

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: SHE GROWS GREEN COHORT 1

Applications are now officially open for She Grows Green Cohort 1, an empowering initiative designed to support young women building solutions for a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

This programme is implemented by SEDA Initiative, with support from the Youth Empowerment Fund, a partnership between the European Union (EU) and the Global Youth Mobilization (GYM).

She Grows Green is dedicated to equipping young women with the knowledge, skills, mentorship, and funding opportunities needed to develop impactful solutions in the green economy.

💚 ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

She Grows Green is a climate-focused initiative aimed at empowering young women of African descent to become leaders in sustainability, climate innovation, and green entrepreneurship.

Across Africa and beyond, women are disproportionately affected by climate change but remain underrepresented in climate leadership and innovation spaces. This programme seeks to close that gap by building a strong community of women-led climate innovators.

Participants will be trained to design and implement sustainable solutions in areas such as agriculture, recycling, and environmental innovation.

🌍 CLIMATE INNOVATION TRACKS

Participants will be selected into one of two specialised learning tracks:

🌱 Climate-Smart Agriculture

This track focuses on sustainable farming practices and agribusiness development. Participants will learn about:

• Climate-smart agriculture techniques
• Sustainable vegetable production
• Climate adaptation strategies
• Agribusiness development and management
• Food security and market opportunities
• Building profitable and sustainable agricultural enterprises

♻️ Circular Economy & Waste Recycling

This track focuses on transforming waste into value through innovation and sustainability. Participants will learn about:

• Circular economy principles
• Waste management and recycling systems
• Plastic and nylon waste recycling
• Upcycling and product innovation
• Building recycling-based enterprises
• Scaling sustainable green businesses

👩‍🎓 WHO CAN APPLY?

The programme is open to young women of African descent (ages 18–30) who are:

• Running a climate-related or green business (agriculture, recycling, sustainability, etc.)
• Developing an early-stage green business idea
• Passionate about climate action and environmental sustainability
• Interested in green entrepreneurship and innovation

👉 You do not need to own an existing business to apply. Passion and commitment are highly valued.

🎯 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Phase 1: Application & Baseline Survey

Applicants will complete a climate and green economy survey to assess interests, challenges, and motivations. This helps shape learning content and selection.

Phase 2: Virtual Training (Starting July 2026)

Selected participants will attend expert-led online sessions covering:

• Climate science and sustainability
• Green business development
• Entrepreneurship and financial readiness
• Industry-specific training based on selected tracks

Phase 3: Facility Visits (Ibadan, Nigeria)

Participants will visit organisations working in climate-smart agriculture and circular economy solutions to gain real-world exposure.

Phase 4: Pitch Event & Closing Ceremony (Ibadan, Nigeria)

Participants will pitch their ideas and businesses. Outstanding projects will receive grant funding to support growth and implementation.

💰 PROGRAMME BENEFITS

Selected participants will gain access to:

• Expert-led climate and business training
• Mentorship and peer learning community
• Real-world exposure through facility visits
• Business development support and coaching
• Networking opportunities with industry professionals
• Grant funding opportunities for outstanding ideas
• Pitching and visibility opportunities

📍 LOCATION

• Virtual sessions: Open globally (African women in diaspora included)
• Physical sessions (Ibadan, Nigeria): Facility visits and final pitch event

Participants are responsible for their own travel to Ibadan if selected for in-person activities.

📅 IMPORTANT DATES

• Application Deadline: June 20, 2026 (10:59 p.m. WAT)
• Programme Start: July 2026

🔗 APPLY NOW

👉 Application Link: https://bit.ly/SGGbySEDA1
👉 Information Guide: https://bit.ly/SGGInfoDoc

📢 FINAL NOTE

She Grows Green is more than a training programme—it is a movement building a generation of women-led climate innovators across Africa and beyond. If you are passionate about sustainability, agriculture, recycling, or green entrepreneurship, this is your opportunity to learn, grow, and build impactful solutions.

Incomplete applications will not be considered, so ensure all sections are properly filled.