Cypriot centre of excellence coordinates EU - Africa agroforestry project

With the participation of 25 partners from 15 European and African countries, the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence of the Cyprus University of Technology is coordinating an agroforestry project which aims to drive innovation, encourage circular practices, and reinforce EU-AU partnerships to address urgent challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and socio-economic inequalities.

The official launch of the AfroGrow project, an EU-funded initiative dedicated to advancing agroforestry Living Labs for sustainable African growth, took place during a virtual kick-off meeting held on January 14, while partners are set to meet in Kenya between March 10–12.

Coordinated by the Eratosthenes CoE, the project, which began on January 1, 2025, brings together 25 partners from 15 European and African countries to foster sustainable growth through agroforestry systems that enhance climatic resilience and support biodiversity, implemented through six Living Labs across Africa, an Eratosthenes press release said here on Friday.

With a budget of nearly €6 million, the project is set "to drive innovation, encourage circular practices, and reinforce EU-AU partnerships to address urgent challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and socio-economic inequalities," it is further noted.

The virtual event opened with a welcome by Prof. Diofantos Hadjimitsis, Managing Director of ECoE, who expressed his confidence in the project’s future, while the meeting also featured presentations from consortium partners, including Ioannis Varvaris, the Deputy Research Coordinator of ECoE, who provided an overview of AfroGrow’s implementation strategy and key objectives.

It is noted that looking ahead, partners will convene in Kenya from March 10–12, 2025, for an in-person meeting to align on a shared vision and ensure AfroGrow’s activities address real-world challenges and opportunities.

AfroGrow aims to transform agroforestry practices across Africa through innovative solutions that integrate sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

The project employs a quintuple helix approach, fostering collaboration between governments, academia, industry, and local communities to address critical challenges in food security and environmental management.

Coordinated by the Eratosthenes Centre of Excellence, AfroGrow brings together a diverse consortium of partners to implement agroforestry Living Labs, contributing to the advancement of sustainable agricultural practices across Africa, the press release concludes.