Sviluppo rurale e sicurezza alimentare (Rural Development and Food Security) Grant

About this grant

The Rural Development and Food Security sector page of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), maintained by its Office VI, describes the agency's thematic approach to agriculture and food security under the 2030 Agenda, chiefly SDG 2 (ending hunger, food security, improved nutrition and sustainable agriculture). It explains that AICS aims to promote resilient, sustainable and quality food production systems and to improve nutrition and incomes of smallholder farmers, with particular attention to women and young people in agriculture. The page sets out the thematic areas funded by AICS: sustainable agriculture grounded in agroecology, circular economy, climate-resilient practices, biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources such as soil and water; food security and food systems transformation, including technologies for production, processing, conservation, food loss reduction and market linkages; urban food policies such as city food strategies, urban agriculture and school feeding programmes; and technical-scientific training and governance strengthening, involving Italian centres of excellence and civil society organisations. Interventions are focused on partner countries prioritised by Italian cooperation that are vulnerable and dependent on agro-pastoral and small-scale fisheries economies. Value-chain support is delivered through partnerships among institutions, research bodies and universities, civil society, producer organisations and local MSMEs, and the page notes a role for private-sector instruments such as innovative financial tools, know-how transfer and digitalisation. The page is largely a news and thematic overview (events such as CFS54, Terra Madre 2026 and Macfrut 2026, and examples from Colombia, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Lebanon and Syria). It does not itself publish a call for proposals, budget envelope, deadline or application procedure.

Eligibility

The page does not state formal eligibility criteria for applicants. It indicates that AICS works through partnerships with institutional actors, research bodies and universities, civil society organisations (OSC), producer and value-chain organisations, and local micro, small and medium enterprises in priority partner countries. Eligibility for any specific call would need to be checked in the relevant AICS bando or tender documentation linked from the site.

How it's scored

No evaluation criteria, scoring methodology or panel composition are described on this page.

Key requirements

• ✓Focus on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and food security outcomes
• ✓Support sustainable agriculture, agroecology, or value-chain development in partner countries
• ✓Address nutrition, rural development, or agro-industry strengthening

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for Sviluppo rurale e sicurezza alimentare (Rural Development and Food Security)?

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.