Sviluppo rurale e sicurezza alimentare Grant

About this grant

This AICS thematic page describes the work of Office VI of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation on rural development and food security, aligned with the 2030 Agenda, mainly SDG 2 (ending hunger, food security, nutrition and sustainable agriculture). It frames the problem as worsening global hunger driven by climate crises, wars and conflicts, with rising undernourishment particularly in North and Southern Africa. The stated aim is to promote resilient, sustainable and quality food production systems, improve nutrition and incomes of smallholder farmers, and support access for women and young people in agriculture. The page sets out the thematic areas of AICS-funded initiatives: sustainable agriculture (agroecology, circular economy, climate-resilient practices, biodiversity, natural resource and soil/water management); food security and food systems transformation (technologies for production, processing, conservation, food waste reduction and market links); urban food policies; and technical-scientific training with Italian excellence, civil society organisations and other actors to strengthen governance. Initiatives are implemented through partnerships among institutions, research bodies, universities, civil society, producer organisations and local MSMEs, mainly in priority partner countries. The page is largely a news and events digest (Terra Madre 2026, Macfrut 2026, and related panels in Colombia, Albania, Bosnia-Erzegovina, Lebanon, Syria, Mozambique, Cuba, El Salvador and Vietnam). It describes ongoing projects and partnerships but does not set out an open call, application procedure, or funding amounts for applicants.

Eligibility

The page does not state explicit eligibility criteria for applicants. It indicates that initiatives are focused on AICS Partner Countries, prioritised by Italian development cooperation and most vulnerable to food insecurity, and that partnerships may involve Italian and local institutions, research bodies, universities, civil society organisations, producer organisations and MSMEs. Eligibility rules for any specific call would need to be checked on the linked AICS bandi pages.

Key requirements

• ✓Alignment with SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and food security outcomes
• ✓Focus on agroecology, good agricultural practices, or agro-industrial value chains
• ✓Demonstrated impact on rural development and/or urban food policies
• ✓Applicant must be eligible organization type working in developing regions supported by Italian development cooperation

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Sviluppo rurale e sicurezza alimentare?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL-SOUTH, AFRICA, ASIA, LATAM; nonprofit, charity, social-enterprise, cooperative, university, research-institution, local-authority, community-group. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Food systems funding covers sustainable production, supply-chain resilience, food loss, nutrition and smallholder livelihoods. It is offered by agriculture and development agencies, multilateral programmes and foundations, often with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Applicants are generally asked to show local partnerships and how benefits reach farmers or consumers.