Launched in 2017, ChangeNOW is a social enterprise that accelerates the environmental and social transition by fostering the deployment of concrete actions and solutions responding to the biggest challenges of our century.

AWARD will convene a side event: “Unlocking the Power of Gendered Climate Smart Agriculture through Innovative Nature-based Solutions”

About the session

Recent evidence shows that inadequate action on climate adaptation is deeply crippling development, threatening livelihoods and exacerbating gender inequalities. At a time when climate-related risks continue to persist, and driving increased global hunger, there is an urgent need for concerted, and coordinated action to increase climate adaptation. Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) with its triple promise of increasing productivity, building resilience and reducing emissions offers a powerful pathway to achieve food security and sustainable development.

At the ChangeNow 2026 Summit, African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) in partnership with the African Women Presence Initiative (AWPI) will co-host a high-level panel session that will explore:

• The current state and potential of gender responsive CSA in Africa
• Successful CSA models and practices worth celebrating and emulating.
• Tools and strategies to guide actors in developing and implementing inclusive smart agriculture.
• Collaborative strategies and policy levers that prioritize gender and infuse a gender and inclusive lens in CSA.
• How gender-lens investing strategies can accelerate inclusive participation in developing, implementing, and promoting uptake of innovative nature-based solutions for effective CSA.

Speakers

• Éliane Ubalijoro– CEO, CIFOR-ICRAF
• Michèle Mbo’o-Tchouawou– Deputy Director, AWARD
• Professor Hortense Atta Diallo– Université Nangui Abrogoua, Côte d’Ivoire
• Rokiatou Traoré– Founder and CEO, Herou Alliance, Mali, and One Planet Laureate
• Fabienne Rouamba– Research Engineer, PhD candidate, Boku University, Austria and One Planet Laureate

 AWARD will also participate in the opening session on Africa for Change: The Better Future We Continue Shaping Together. The session will aim to spark inspiring conversations on the African continent’s role in driving the transition; its solutions, its voices, and the leaders shaping change. The session will bring together leading voices and experts across Africa including Dr. Michele Mbo’o-Tchouawou, AWARD Deputy Director.