The Elevating the Voices of Women in Agriculture (EVWA) Changemakers Campaign is dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges faced by women farmers in Africa.
Through this campaign and the EVWA Council, the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens (BKMC) aims to empower women farmers across the continent.
Women make up nearly half of the world’s smallholder farmers and produce 70% of Africa’s food. Despite their significant contribution, they face numerous obstacles, including limited access to land, finances, and education due to gender inequalities and the impacts of climate change.
Applications Now Open for EVWA Changemakers 2024!
Nominate yourself to become an EVWA Changemaker and stand a chance to be recognized as one of the 30 under 30 exceptional young Africans who lead initiatives to empower women farmers.
Gain global visibility, expand your network, and compete for the prestigious $5,000 EVWA Champion Award. The EVWA Champion will also be featured in a professional documentary highlighting their work and impact. Don’t miss this opportunity—nominate yourself by Sunday, June 30th!
Framework
EVWA Changemakers Campaign
The EVWA Changemakers Campaign is an annual initiative recognizing and giving a platform to exceptional Africans under the age of 30 who lead projects empowering women farmers. Selected EVWA Changemakers are spotlighted on the EVWA webpage.
- Nominations Period: June 10 – June 30, 2024
- Notification Period: July 18 – July 26, 2024
Timeline
Nominations
Are you working to empower women farmers? If yes, it’s time to nominate yourself or someone you know. The nomination period is from June 10 to June 30, 2024. Notifications of the selected nominees will be sent out between July 18 and July 26, 2024.
Promotion
In August 2024, the campaign will officially launch, celebrating the efforts and initiatives of the EVWA Changemakers. This promotion period will highlight their work and raise awareness about the importance of empowering women farmers.
EVWA Champion
The EVWA Champion will be selected by a panel of experts and announced in September 2024. The chosen Champion’s journey and project will be featured in a documentary film, providing significant exposure and recognition.
COP29
The EVWA Champion will be announced at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024. The documentary featuring the Champion’s work will be showcased, and the Champion will receive $5,000 in seed funding to scale their project.
EVWA Champion Recognition
The EVWA Champion is awarded for leading the most innovative and inspiring project. This title comes with a $5,000 seed-funding award to help scale the impact of their project. Additionally, the EVWA Champion will be featured in a multimedia documentary and social media campaign, which will be published through BKMC channels and at key events such as COP conferences.
Previous EVWA Champions
- EVWA Champion 2023: Njieforti Princewill Gana, Founder and CEO of SustainAfric, empowers widowed women farmers in Cameroon with training on climate-smart agricultural practices, specifically snail farming.
- EVWA Champion 2022: Lilian Nakigozi, Founder and CEO of Women Smiles Uganda, recognized for her initiative empowering women farmers in Uganda.
EVWA Council
The EVWA Council fosters dialogue between women farmers in Africa, young changemakers, and key institutional players in gender, agriculture, and climate change. Composed of 11 experts from academia, international organizations, NGOs, and government representatives, the Council works with women smallholder farmers and young changemakers to incorporate their perspectives into policy recommendations.
Deadline
The deadline for EVWA Changemaker nominations is June 30, 2024.
Click HERE to apply.
Conclusion
The EVWA Changemakers Campaign and the EVWA Council are crucial initiatives that empower women farmers in Africa by providing them with the recognition, resources, and support they need to overcome challenges and succeed. By highlighting these changemakers, the campaign seeks to inspire broader action towards gender equality and sustainable agricultural practices.