- Applications Open Until December 18th for Researchers and Students Seeking to Make a Difference
Dubai, 07 December: The Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme, launched by Goumbook in collaboration with HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, SAB (Saudi Awwal Bank), and supported by EIT Food, has garnered a strong response from various countries highlighting a collective drive to address the pressing climate-related challenges in the MENAT region.
The programme has shown strong appeal and impact in several regions, particularly during the first three weeks of its launch. The highest registration rates were observed in the UAE (34.1%), Egypt (24%), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (20%), and Turkey (4.5%).
With the application deadline set for December 18, 2023, the Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme stands as a pivotal opportunity to empower and upskill researchers and students dedicated to addressing the distinctive environmental challenges of the MENAT region.
The initiative represents a transformative journey, propelling individuals to make significant strides in addressing pressing agricultural challenges such as hunger, nutrition, and climate change. Beyond theoretical exploration, the programme offers a distinctive pathway for researchers to witness the realization of their impactful solutions in practical settings, exactly where they are most needed. It presents a unique opportunity for visionary minds to receive the support necessary to transform research-based solutions into tangible, real-world applications.
Participants benefit from an extensive array of resources, including access to a digital community platform, a range of online self-paced courses, expert talks and workshops, world-class mentorship, regional exposure, potential funding and incubation opportunities, and the chance to win one of three $10,000 grants and receive additional support to scale their impactful solutions.
Tatiana Antonelli Abella, Founder and Managing Director at Goumbook, emphasises: “As applications pour in, we are witnessing a diverse pool of enthusiastic and innovative participants highlighting the interest in our programme’s potential for significantly impacting the advancement of a resilient and sustainable agricultural future. Beyond seeking solutions, we are nurturing a movement, providing a platform for those ready to transition from research to impactful real-world applications. Together, we strive to build a resilient and sustainable future for agriculture in one of the world’s most challenging environments.”
The initiative provides a platform for participants to actively contribute to sustainable, long-term change, fostering economic, environmental, and social benefits tailored to the MENAT region’s unique agricultural conditions. It transcends the boundaries of a mere programme, evolving into a burgeoning movement towards a resilient and sustainable future firmly rooted in research, science, and practical solutions.
Abella added: “The programme has resonated deeply with researchers and students who are actively seeking guidance and support in their endeavours, offering crucial resources and support for their projects. With the application deadline approaching, we strongly encourage aspiring changemakers to seize this opportunity. Join us in this groundbreaking initiative and play a pivotal role in driving transformative change in agriculture and enhancing climate resilience.”
The programme culminates in a final showcase, where participants present their solutions to a panel of esteemed judges. The top three candidates will have the unique opportunity to collaborate with farmers to refine their concepts, ensuring practicality and high impact.
Interested individuals are encouraged to join this exceptional group of changemakers by visiting the Regenerative Agriculture Venture Programme website before the deadline on www.RegenerativeAgricultureVenture.com.
About Goumbook:
Goumbook operates as a non-profit sustainability social enterprise. With a successful 14-year track record of advocating for social and environmental sustainability, Goumbook has earned a respected status as an independent expert institution specialising in solutions related to sustainability issues specific to the GCC and the wider MENA region. Goumbook collaborates with all sectors through the key pillars of awareness (education), action (campaigns), and advisory (consulting). It has a strong history of engaging with the community and youth, and a remarkable ability to unite and partner with stakeholders across the public, private, academia, and civil society in its initiatives and campaigns, delivering long-lasting sustainability impact.
Goumbook’s most recent and notable projects include:
• Dubai Can for Dubai Department of Economy & Tourism. Campaign conceptualised and implemented by Goumbook as the Strategic Partner and Trusted Sustainability Expert, as a sustainability initiative by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
• Food Wise Challenge in collaboration with the UAE MOCCAE and DWTC, engaging university and school students to participate in submitting solutions for food security.
• Recipe of Change as the local implementation partner of UNEP’s regional initiative, tackling food waste awareness and reduction.
• Refill campaign as the local delivery partner of Refill global, facilitating refilling water on the go, while avoiding single use plastic water bottles.
• MENA Oceans Summit & Network, under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Climate Change & Environment – the Middle East’s first dedicated forum to take action for the sea, oceans & coastal communities.
• Ajman Mangrove Park – In partnership with Ajman Municipality the project focuses on environmental assessment and rehabilitation, mangrove afforestation while promoting education and research.
• Eat It or Save It – End Food waste campaign launched in 2018. Eat it or Save It is an awareness campaign that drives awareness on the social, environmental and economic repercussions of food loss and food waste and actions that can be implemented to address this problem.
• Fair Care – Accessible health campaign launched in 2017. Fair Care is a social impact and awareness campaign that supports low income communities in the UAE with access to healthcare and wellbeing services and products.
• Unisoap UAE launched in 2023 applying circularity to disposed hotel soap bars, reducing waste and supporting vulnerable communities gain access to basic hygiene products, as new soap bars.
• Forward Talks Podcast special series in the ‘Year of Sustainability’ and leading up to COP28 UAE: “Climate Leaders- Rising Up to Cop28” supported by Dubai Government’s Media Office, and in partnership with Mastercard
• Trees Matter & Give a Ghaf Tree Planting – Raising awareness of the local environment through planting the Ghaf, mangroves and other indigenous trees; while combating climate change, biodiversity loss and carbon sequestration as nature based solutions.
