The Agroecology Learning Alliance in Southeast Asia (ALiSEA) successfully concluded its 2023 Small Grant Facility, awarding funding to 9 organizations across Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. This initiative, open from August to October 2023, aimed to support innovative projects addressing three critical themes:
- Supporting and improving market access for agroecological products.
- Linking field experience in agroecology and food systems to public policy frameworks.
- Empowering and strengthening the involvement of youth in agroecology initiatives.
ALiSEA received 30 proposals, demonstrating strong interest in advancing agroecology across the region. These proposals originated from various organizations, with 11 from Laos, 9 from Cambodia, 9 from Vietnam, and 1 from Thailand. Notably, the topics of “Improving market access” attracted the most proposals (15), followed by “Empowering youth” (11) and “Linking field experience to policy” (5).
There are a total of 17 main evaluators, plus an additional 2 evaluators from CIRAD (6 of whom are women), representing a diverse range of stakeholders on the selection committee including Board Members from Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, and representatives from GRET, Uni4Coop, IRD, and Chrysalis Consulting.
Following a rigorous selection process, ALiSEA awarded grants to 9 organizations:
Laos:
- Topic: Re-enchanting Agriculture for Youths through an Organic Network, Ban Suan Ai Oun Organic Farm Co., Ltd and Co-applicant: (1) Luangprabang Organic Agriculture Association (LOAA); (2) Luang Prabang Lao Youth Union.
- Topic: Youth and Women Empowerment for Agroecology (YWEA), Agricultural Development and Social Assistance Association (ADSA) and Co-applicant: (1) Phan-Thin Social Enterprise (Phan-Thin).
- Topic: Scale up Agroecological Products Access to Sustainable and Integration Markets Project (SAPSISM), The People With Disabilities Development Association of Xiengkhouang Province (PDDA.XKh) and Co-applicant: (1) Peak Organic Cooperative in Agriculture (POCA).
Cambodia:
- Topic: Integrated Agroecology: Study, Implementation and Practice (IASIP), Green Shoots Foundation (GSF) and Co-applicant: (1) Center of Excellence on Sustainable Agricultural Intensification and Nutrition (CE SAIN); and (2) Green Shoots Resources Organization.
- Topic: Empower and Strengthen Youth Involvement in Agroecology through Youth Agroecology Caravan (YAC24), Vivre De Sa Terre (VDST) and Co-applicant: (1) Bayon Education and Development (BED); and (2) Sustainable Soil For Life Association (SSLA) funded by Uni4Coop.
- Topic: Strengthening Organic Sesame Supply Chain in Preah Vihear province by Integrating AE Practices and Linking the Products to Markets, Agronomes et Vétérinaires Sans Frontières (AVSF) and Co-applicant: (1) Preah Vihear Mean Chey Union of Agricultural Cooperative (PMUAC) funded by Uni4Coop.
Vietnam:
- Topic: Expanding Market for Regenerative Vegetables through Improved Production and Distribution, Rikolto and Co-applicant: (1) Tuyen Quang Provincial Agriculture Extension Center (PAEC).
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Topic: Coffee Waste Solutions: Integrating Sustainable Models for Wastewater and By-Product Management into Local Environmental Policy, Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (NOMAFSI); and Co-applicant: (1) Thai Viet Coffee Cooperative.
Thailand:
- Topic: Strengthening a Network of Biochar Producers to Meet the Growing Demand for Biochar-Based Products, ECHO Asia Foundation and Co-applicant: (1) Warm Heart Foundation (Warm Heart) and Biochar Life (PBC); and (2) International Biochar Initiative (IBI).
These funded projects have the potential to make significant contributions to the advancement of agroecology in Southeast Asia. By bridging the gaps between field experiences and policy, enhancing market access for sustainable products, and engaging youth in the movement, these initiatives can pave the way for a more resilient and equitable food system in the region.
Overall, ALiSEA’s Small Grant Facility showcases the dynamism and potential of the agroecology movement in Southeast Asia. By supporting innovative initiatives, this program contributes to a more sustainable and equitable future for the region.