SUSTLIVES is a project financed by the European Union in the framework of the DeSIRA initiative. The Italian Agency for development cooperation (AICS) is the project coordinator, whereas the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies of Bari (CIHEAM Bari) is responsible for the scientific and technical management of the project.

The project aims at promoting the transition toward sustainable and resilient agricultural and food systems in a changing climate environment in Burkina Faso and Niger, through the enhancement of local crops and their value-chains as sources of incomes in the Sahel region.

 The project will strengthen the research and innovation capacities of the actors in the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) on what concerns value chains of neglected and underutilized crops in concerned countries. SUSTLIVES stems from an in-depth analysis of socio-economic and agro-environmental characteristics of Niger and Burkina Faso where a global approach is proposed to protect and reinforce agro-biodiversity as well as an inclusive and participatory approach, which is particularly responsive toward age and gender issues. Indeed, these challenges concern even more youth and women, young men and women living in rural and marginal areas.

Project duration: 48 months