The 11th Hour Project is a community-driven agroecology initiative coordinated by Seriti Institute and supported by partners including the Agroecology Fund, Citi Foundation, and the Social Employment Fund (SEF). Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project promotes local food production, sustainable farming, and resilient food systems across South Africa.
The overall objective of the initiative is to improve livelihoods and resilience for homestead and smallholder producers and small enterprises in local food systems based on consolidating and expanding the approaches and activities introduced during the project’s first phase. To realise this objective, partners need to support homestead and smallholder producer networks, with efforts to establish learning sites or hubs to demonstrate and promote agroecology and provide outreach to these networks.
Working with grassroots partners in Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, the project supports farmers through mentorship, training, and market access. From composting and seed saving to agro-processing and peer exchanges, each activity contributes to a healthier, more sustainable future.
Between April 2023 and March 2025, the project scaled its impact, with farmer mentorship and advocacy at the core. With a new grant secured through September 2026, the focus now shifts to strengthening training, growing markets, and deepening agroecology hubs.
