The Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) Southern and Central Africa Hub is proud to announce the USAID-funded launch of the WE4F Zimbabwe Biogas Call for Innovations.

The $400,000 program will support selected Zimbabwean biogas innovators, helping increase their capacity and productivity. Scaling these selected small- and medium-sized enterprises will improve farmers’ access to climate-resilient technology that can increase food production. WE4F will provide the biogas innovators with grants, technical assistance and help to facilitate the activity.

For most Zimbabwean people, firewood remains the primary source of energy, resulting in the country having the highest deforestation rates in Southern Africa. Biogas innovations present an alternative to traditional energy, like firewood, and a path forward for increasing food production. The slurry sourced from biogas digesters — a gas-sealed tank designed to break down waste to create biogas — provides farmers with an organic and easily accessible fertilizer source.

The Zimbabwe Biogas Call for Innovations awards range from $10,000 to $30,000. The awarded innovators are expected to match the funding amount in cash or in-kind contributions. The period of performance for individual awards is up to 1.5 years; however, the actual period of performance for each award will be determined at the time of award.

Applications for this call will be accepted on a rolling basis. All information, including eligibility criteria and application guidelines, is available at we4f.org/apply-zw.

Those interested in learning more about the Zimbabwe Biogas Call for Innovations can register for the Q&A webinar on August 17 at 11:30 a.m. Central Africa Time (CAT). To submit questions, please email the Southern and Central Africa Regional Innovation Hub Team at [email protected].