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Restoring degraded forests, farmland and pasture
This year’s Land Accelerator is in partnership with AUDA-NEPAD and in support of AFR100, the pan-African initiative aiming to begin restoring 100 million ha of degraded landscapes by 2030
In 2018, World Resources Institute (WRI) and Fledge launched the Land Accelerator, the world’s first training and mentorship program targeted specifically toward businesses that restore degraded forests, farmland, and pasture. It’s a curated program that builds the capacity of restoration entrepreneurs to grow their businesses, engage Investors and build strong partnerships, impact both the environment and the local communities.
Forest and landscape restoration (FLR) refers to the process of regaining ecological functionality in deforested or degraded landscapes while improving the well-being of people who live in these places. FLR is not just about planting trees but rather encompasses a variety of approaches aimed at achieving the ecological, social, and economic goals of those who live in a landscape. These approaches are based on science and best practices, rooted in the local context, and anchored by traditional and indigenous knowledge. Common approaches to FLR include, but are not limited to, agroforestry (planting trees on cropland), reforestation, low-carbon agriculture, and silvopastures (trees on grazelands). Done right, restoration practices can improve crop yields, increase water retention and biodiversity, and create jobs and other economic benefits for local communities.
In 2023, WRI and our partners at Fledge and AUDA-NEPAD are taking a novel approach to the Land Accelerator Africa. This year, we are continuing to grow the network of land restoration entrepreneurs in Africa by selecting 100 entrepreneurs from across the continent to join us for an all-virtual business creation and growth accelerator. At least 50 of the participants will be under 35 years of age, and/or female company leaders. By the end of the program, entrepreneurs will have accessed the trainings and tools need to complete:
All restoration entrepreneurs from Africa are encouraged to apply to the Land Accelerator. The top 100 applicants will be accepted to the program and receive access to:
Recipients of the investment packs will receive:
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 65 percent of land in Africa is impacted by degradation every year. This degradation can encumber economic growth and exacerbate the impacts of climate change. However, African nations have pledged to take action to reverse the tide of deforestation and land degradation. Through global initiatives such as the Bonn Challenge and regional partnerships like the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), countries across Africa have pledged to restore millions of hectares of land.
To help countries achieve this ambitious goal, the World Resources Institute (WRI) launched the Land Accelerator, the world’s first accelerator program targeted specifically towards businesses that restore degraded forests and farmland. First launched in Africa in 2018, the Land Accelerator provides entrepreneurs with mentorship and networking opportunities, technical training, and workshops to build storytelling and pitching skills. Participants will leave the program more empowered to connect with potential investors so they can take their business to the next stage of growth.
The Land Accelerator envisions a world where Land Restoration businesses can scale to regenerate more hectares of land and impact the livelihoods of more rural dwellers. We will achieve this vision through identifying, building capacity, and promoting successful land restoration entrepreneurs as ambassadors of land restoration business models that are financially sustainable and ecology-promoting investments. We invite both debt and equity investors to join us on this journey and to get to know top Land Restoration business models from around the globe.