Building Momentum for a Circular Future: Insights from the July CBEN Monthly Call

Participants engaging during the virtual Call

The July CBEN monthly call marked another milestone for our growing network, bringing together new, enthusiastic faces just one month after the successful IBI/CBEN Biochar Academy and Conference. Many of these new members represent the wide spectrum of stakeholders who participated in the event — from large international partners and smallholder farmers to circular economy project developers, fertilizer producers and policymakers, sustainable agriculture professionals, and waste management and recovery researchers.

The Biochar Academy and Conference left a lasting impact on participants, sparking vital conversations about the potential of biochar production from agricultural waste and the economic viability needed to scale it. Participants discussed the critical role of certification and marketing in boosting trust and uptake of biochar products, as well as the need for a centralized platform for sharing knowledge. This highlighted CBEN’s unique opportunity to serve as a central hub for biochar research, innovation, and certification in the region.

The call also provided an important moment to update members on the ongoing CBEN registration and formalization process as an association in Kenya. This step will strengthen CBEN’s visibility, allowing it to operate freely and deliver on its mission to promote sustainable agricultural practices through circularity, both in Kenya and beyond.

To better support organized, inclusive, and dynamic engagement within our network, CBEN is launching a WhatsApp Community. This will bring together all related groups — including the Policy Working Group, the Biochar Innovation and Research Group, and the Dialogue Group — into a single, collaborative space. Members will benefit from an open fellowship for exchanging ideas, sharing research insights, announcing job openings, scholarships, and grants, and fostering collaboration while respecting diverse perspectives.

Finally, the call offered participants a chance to share insights on the importance of consistent farmer engagement and training, clear messaging, and the economic realities that shape successful biochar projects.

CBEN remains committed to connecting stakeholders, amplifying circular solutions, and advancing sustainable agriculture for a resilient future.

By Erick O. Abala

Head of Communications-CBEN