Faced with a proliferation of geopolitical, health, food, and climate crises, responsible investments in agriculture (RAI) are emerging as a strategic response to current challenges. Through its Agri-Accelerator 2.0 programme, FAO is implementing concrete mechanisms to promote responsible agricultural investments by small and medium-sized enterprises led by young people in the countries where it operates.

Among the levers identified to accelerate the impact of this approach, strengthening the capacities of responsible coaches (RAI coaches) has proven essential.

FAO organized a regional capacity development course bringing together around 30 selected RAI coaches to strengthen their skills and enable them to become supervisors of other coaches (master coaches). The aim is to enable them to effectively support and validate the performance of RAI coaches, as part of the acceleration of responsible agricultural investment projects in different countries, by ensuring consistent skills development and high-quality operational support. Tunisia, a pioneer in adopting the RAI approach since 2019, was chosen to host this initiative in recognition of its commitment and progress in this area.

This intensive face-to-face workshop is the second phase of a five-day hybrid capacity development course. It aims to consolidate the knowledge acquired during the first phase, while deepening advanced skills in personalized coaching, constructive conflict management, and mastery of support and monitoring tools. It also prepares participants for a remote mentoring phase, which will give them the opportunity to apply what they have learned in practice, while benefiting from individualized support to guide young agri-entrepreneurs in the implementation of their projects.

At the end of this training, master coaches will be able to monitor and support RAI coaches in their missions, facilitate coordination between the various stakeholders in the Agri-Accelerator programme, and validate deliverables. They will also be responsible for organizing new training cycles, where necessary, supporting the selection of agri-accelerators, and providing strategic support in the implementation of investment projects.

The Agri-Accelerator 2.0 programme promotes agricultural investments that improve food security and nutrition, respect fundamental human rights, and ensure a sustainable return on investment. It is based on an integrated approach founded on the triple performance of the “three Ps”: profit, by guaranteeing profitability for investors; people, by generating a positive socio-economic impact for communities; and planet, by ensuring the preservation and sustainable use of natural resources.

The Agri-accelerator enables young entrepreneurs and farm managers to develop responsible business plans that allow them to upscale their projects, contributing to the revitalization of the agricultural sector and the sustainable transformation of food systems.