CCSI’s Executive Training on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture provides an interdisciplinary approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities of agricultural investments. The program is designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to address some of the key challenges posed by international investments in agriculture, and to encourage a rich dialogue about practices from around the globe.

Who should attend?

This interdisciplinary program is designed for mid-level public sector officials and civil society representatives from low- and middle-income countries, whose responsibilities relate to investments, agriculture, land, or rural development. Representatives of bilateral development agencies, foundations, intergovernmental organizations, UN agencies, and the private sector may also be admitted.

Where and when will the program be held?

The program will be held virtually from May 7-17th, 2024.

The virtual training will include asynchronous and synchronous learning and peer-to-peer sharing components:

Short and interactive live training sessions will take place each business day from May 7-17. These sessions will be dedicated to engagement with course lecturers and practitioners, and to peer-to-peer sharing. A detailed schedule of live sessions will be shared with participants in early 2024.

Background materials for each training topic, including video presentations and readings, will be shared with participants through a dedicated course platform and available for review by participants in advance of the live sessions.

What are the program fees?

The training will be made freely available to accepted participants who fall into the following categories:

• Non-profit organizations (must be registered as a non-profit in your jurisdiction)
• Government officials from low- and middle-income countries

A program fee of USD $500 applies to all other accepted participants, including those who fall into the following categories:

• Government officials from high-income countries
• Private sector
• Funders (including bilateral development agencies and foundations)
• UN agencies
• Intergovernmental organizations

How can I apply?

An online application form is accessible here. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until March 15, 2024. To increase your chances of being selected, we encourage you to apply as early as possible.



What past participants have said about CCSI’s in-person Executive Training on Sustainable Investments in Agriculture:

Vivion Scully, Chief Executive Officer, Agro-Investment Corporation of Jamaica: "Collaborating with participants from different continents was an enriching experience. We had the chance to exchange ideas, share success stories, and learn from the unique perspectives of our peers…As I reflect on this course, I am filled with enthusiasm and motivation to apply the knowledge and skills gained to drive positive change in sustainable agriculture investments in Jamaica. I am excited to collaborate with fellow alumni and professionals worldwide to advance sustainable farming practices, promote food security, and preserve our natural resources."

Jeremy Agyemang, Head of Agribusiness Unit, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana: “The training at CCSI was phenomenal. It equipped me with knowledge that has enhanced my understanding of the investor-state relationship. Those delivering the training were experts in their field, and more than willing to provide participants with assistance to make the learning experience fruitful. Great technical resources were also provided to participants. I highly recommend the training to anyone working in the agricultural investment space.”

Shyamal Chandradathsingh, Vice President, Investor Sourcing, Invest in Trinidad & Tobago: “The quality of the presenters was top notch … I highly recommend it.”

Mohamed Coulibaly, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Mali; Consultant, Institute of Research and the Promotion of Development Alternatives (IRPAD): “The training offered me the opportunity to meet and share experience with people from different countries, continents and different backgrounds for a mutually reinforcing experience.”

Mamadou Diarrah, Senior Development Officer,  African Union Commission: “I want to express my sincere appreciation to the organizers for such a wonderful training workshop. … [T]he expertise of the presenters and organizers substantially raised my knowledge bar. Additionally, the discussion with the other participants opened my mind to new and exciting ideas from other parts of the world that could be tested in my region of interest in order to bolster investments into agriculture for the benefit of the populations.”

Sigrid Stensrud Ekman, Private Sector Advisor, NIRAS / Agricultural Sector Development Support Programme (ASDSP), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Kenya:  “I would recommend this course for everyone working on land issues and agro-investments. The lecturers were highly knowledgeable, and the diverse group of participants (coming from various geographic regions and backgrounds, ranging from civil society to the private and public sectors) made for insightful discussion. I particularly enjoyed putting theory into practice using case studies each day. The training also provided a great opportunity for networking.”

Syl-Brians Kamara, Deputy Director, Environment Protection Agency, Sierra Leone: “The training course is fantastic, and certainly fulfilled my expectations. Since returning to Sierra Leone, I have already engaged with my colleagues and other institutions to implement solutions proposed and discussed during the course.”

If you have any questions about the program, please contact us at ccsitrainings@law.columbia.edu