The rationale behind SUSTLIVES is that strengthening the research and innovation capacities of the actors in the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) and improving knowledge and information exchange on the Neglected and Underutilised Species (NUS) are central to trigger the transition toward sustainable and resilient agro-food systems in a changing climate environment in Burkina Faso and Niger. For that, participatory processes – with direct involvement of stakeholders – are central in SUSTLIVES with the aim to favour ownership and appropriation. The whole project is considered as a learning process, a living lab that allows continuous exchange of knowledge (traditional and scientific/modern) to increase resilience in a changing environment and climate. Moreover, the project is based on the awareness of the partnership that only a change of behaviour and practices of actors involved can ensure the sustainability of the project after its lifespan. SUSTLIVES activities can be grouped under three main axis linked to the theory of change: (i) scientific research and knowledge-gathering, which leads to (ii) bringing innovation into poor rural farmers’ communities, which in turn leads to (iii) impact achieved at a larger scale. SUSTLIVES promotes the enhancement of local agro-biodiversity and NUS to increase resilience of agro-food systems while boosting food and nutrition security and livelihoods by developing innovative and inclusive value chains (mainly for young people and women) and income-generating activities in rural areas through the production and commercialisation of stress-tolerant NUS.