Enhanced resilience in economies, people and nature
This initiative focuses on catalysing climate-resilient development that balances economic growth with ecosystem stewardship and social prosperity, emphasizing how to make agriculture more sustainable in Africa.
The economies of Tanzania and Mozambique are highly reliant on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, with large parts of their populations living in rural areas, dependent on subsistence farming and natural resources for their survival. Both countries are also highly vulnerable to climate change (e.g. increase in cyclones in Mozambique and droughts in Tanzania) leading to major economic costs affecting millions of people and their livelihoods.
SUSTAIN Africa, conceived as a multi-year initiative, concluded its phase 1 in 2020, implemented across the Southern Agriculture Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) and the Zambezi Valley in Mozambique. The first phase established a solid foundation of partnerships among businesses, government agencies, local communities, farmer groups, and others in the landscape, to deliver this vision. Encouraging the implementation of sustainable food systems by adopting a holistic approach, including all aspects related to the food system (i.e. value chains, markets, etc.), alongside economic, environmental and social impacts. To be sustainable, food systems need to be supported by well-functioning ecosystems.
This initiatives continues today through two new complementary programmes: SUSTAIN ECO and SUSTAIN PRO – both underpinned by equity and inclusion, and both striving to accelerate a shift from business as usual to development paradigms that build resilience in economies, people and nature.
Programme Objectives
Protect and restore ecosystems to secure the services needed for sustainable livelihoods, including agricultural production.
SUSTAIN ECO (2023 – 2025) aims to enable healthy ecosystems and prosperous communities in Tanzania by improving governance and rights, strengthening sustainable management practices and catalysing investment in the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems, the delivery strategy encompasses: (i) strengthening coordination amongst governance structures for sustainable and inclusive management of natural resources; (ii) integrating landscape management to improve ecosystem health and generating inclusive business and livelihood opportunities and (iii) investing in the protection and restoration of ecosystems and their services and strengthen climate resilience for people and ecosystems.
The programme is being implemented in two landscapes in Tanzania; Sumbawanga and Kilombero.
Support the implementation of healthy food systems making agriculture more sustainable
SUSTAIN PRO (2022- 2025) aims to support sustainable food systems and healthy productive landscapes in Mozambique and Tanzania. The delivery strategy encompasses: (i) upscaling solutions for sustainable agriculture production; (ii) restoring land health through multi-stakeholder partnerships and (iii) investing in sustainable and inclusive value chains to drive systemic change.
The programme is being implemented in two landscapes in Tanzania; Ihemi and Kilombero, and two landscapes in Mozambique; Vanduzi and Baruè.
Together, SUSTAIN ECO and PRO form the continuation of SUSTAIN-Africa, building on its successes and learning from the challenges that were encountered during the first five years of the programme. The geographical footprint and partnerships established in the first phase of SUSTAIN make up the lion’s share of interventions in these two complementary programmes, ensuring continuity and aiming at long-term sustainability.