Calls by impact funders
When you are looking for grant funding, we are here to support you. We have first-hand knowledge of grant opportunities that match your case and we can build on a strong track record of successful proposals.
- Grants for private sector investment in developing countries usually cover only part of a project budget and require a substantial cash and/or in-kind contribution. In case of development banks, grants are often tied and subject to their provision of a loan.
- Grant programmes typically target innovative and scalable projects with a high potential payoff in terms of the programmes development goals. Grant programmes are generally organised as competitions that generally attract far more entries than can be funded.
- Grant funding is financially attractive but comes with strict performance, reporting and accountability conditions. We provide support to help you comply with these requirements.
Only a selection of grant programmes is presented on our website. Contact us for more information!
IMEU-II Market Development Fund Call (Uganda):
The IMEU-II Market Development Fund is a €2.6M blended finance facility (2025–2028) targeted at growth-stage companies and institutions operating in Uganda. It aims to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies in the country. Focuses on reducing energy costs, lowering emissions, and improving productivity across agriculture value chains and the built environment. Comprises Results-Based Financing (RBF) for energy service providers and co-financing grants for SMEs and institutions of €10,000–€200,00, plus technical assistance. The call is rolling with deadlines on 20 May 2026 and 30 October 2026.
Netherlands-Ukraine Cybersecurity grant
The NL-UA CF is coordinated by the Dutch Cybersecurity Coordination Centre (NCC-NL). The grant amount per project is a minimum of €200,000 and a maximum of €250,000. A project has a duration of 6 months. The grant is aimed at businesses in the Netherlands and Ukraine that develop innovative cybersecurity solutions in the form of products and/or services. Under this grant, one Dutch and one Ukrainian company form a consortium and work together on a six-month project.
Global Gateway Early-Stage Investment Mechanism (GG EIM)
The GG EIM aims to provide upstream competitive grants to EU companies and consortia to support early-stage climate, energy, transport, urban development and digital innovation projects. Grant size is ~EUR 0.5 million to EUR 2 million per project. It is directed at early-stage project preparation, feasibility, design studies, market assessments and investor readiness. Funds support EU companies to build bankable deals with partners in Global Gateway partner countries.
Facility Investing for Employment
The IFE 2026 call offers €800K–€10M grants for investment projects creating private-sector jobs in six African countries. Public, private, and non-profit actors may apply. Funding includes a Job Creation Component and an optional Labour Migration window. Co–financing required. Deadlines: 1 June 2026 (Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia) and 30 June 2026 (Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco).
Due Diligence Fund (DDF)
Round 5 of the Due Diligence Fund (DDF) seeks to support consortia led by an EU-based commercial partner, plus at least one local or public-interest partner, in an ODA country, with projects implementing Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) in agricultural supply chains linked to EU markets. Focuses on mitigating risks, including labour conditions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, while promoting sustainable sourcing and traceability. Funding ranges from €50,000–€250,000. Co-financing (≥25% for SMEs) is mandatory. Deadline: June 15, 11:59 p.m. CEST.
NORAD Support for enterprise development in renewable energy 2026
The purpose of the call is to contribute to private sector development in renewable energy production and access. It prioritises projects in the on-grid and mini-grid renewable energy sectors. Grants will be given to support project activities in the period 2026-2029. Grants exceeding 5,000,000 NOK will be prioritised.
Dutch Fund for Climate and Development (DFCD)
DFCD provides grants and investment to climate adaptation projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Early-stage initiatives can access grant funding through the Origination Facility (up to 2025), with pathways to scale via debt or equity. The fund targets resilient land, water, and agroforestry solutions.
Fund for Innovation in Development (FID)
FID (by Agence Française de Développement) offers grants from €50,000 to €4 million to test and scale innovations that reduce poverty and inequality. Funding spans four stages, from prototyping to scaling. Priority areas include education, health, gender, and climate. Applications are accepted year-round.
Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)
CFC provides debt or equity financing of USD 300,000–2 million to SMEs working with (semi-)commodity value chains like coffee, cotton, or oilseeds. Projects must be commercially viable, engage smaller farmers, and generate socio-economic impact. Applicants must earn in hard currency.
The DIV Fund
Grant funding for innovators and researchers wanting to test new ideas, take strategic risks, build evidence of what works, and advance the best solutions. Grants of up to $1.5 million depending on stage and scale of project.
DOEN Foundation
DOEN provides grants, loans, and early-stage investment to small, innovative initiatives advancing a regenerative economy, social inclusivity, or creative society. It supports enterprises and organizations in their first phases of development, typically funding up to one-third of the budget. Applications are open year-round.
AECF REACT 2.0-Ethiopia Programme
AECF has launched the REACT 2.0 Ethiopia. This is a matching grant funding seeking to support private-sector companies delivering renewable energy, productive use of energy (PUE), and climate-smart agricultural technologies in underserved areas of Ethiopia. The goal is to enhance agricultural productivity, improve energy access, and increase climate resilience. A call for proposals is currently open.
The Energy Transition Challenge Fund (ETCF) - NIGERIA
Funded by BMZ through KfW and implemented by AECF, the Energy Transition Challenge Fund (ETCF) is a €20 million initiative seeking to support the private sector in advancing Nigeria’s energy transition. Firms are invited to submit renewable energy solutions for Households, Commercial & Industrial users, and Public Institutions under a 1:1 matching grants of €100,000–€800,000 to scale sustainable, affordable energy access across Nigeria. Closes on 2 January 2026
Partnering for Green Growth (P4G)
P4G offers grants of USD 100,000–300,000 to partnerships tackling climate solutions in food, energy, and water across Colombia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, South Africa, and Vietnam. Each partnership must include an early-stage business and nonprofit. Technical assistance and investment matchmaking are included. Applications open regularly.
GREENTech4CE - Zambia
GREENTech4CE offers matching grants of €100,000–€500,000 to Zambian-owned businesses expanding green, circular, or digital operations. Eligible sectors include mining, manufacturing, energy, logistics, construction, and digital (excluding agriculture). Applicants must have 3+ years of operations and meet financial criteria. Projects must demonstrate innovation and inclusive job creation. The Fifth call for applications is currently open
Ukraine Partnership Facility
UPF offers grants of up to €4 million, covering up to 90% of eligible costs, for Dutch-led partnerships supporting Ukraine’s sustainable recovery. Projects must be non-profit and focus on agriculture, water, healthcare, sustainable energy, or circular construction. One local and one Dutch partner are required.
Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity (FRP)
FRP offers grants of US$500,000–2.5 million to SMEs in 20 African countries across agriculture, climate adaptation, and digital sectors. Projects must match at least 30% of costs and create work for youth, including women, people with disabilities, and refugees. Disbursement is milestone-based over 3 years.
DANIDA Green Business Partnerships (DGBP)
DGBP funds innovative market-based partnerships with grants of DKK 4–15 million (USD ~0.5–2.2 million) between at least one international commercial partner and a non-commercial partner to address green transition challenges and inclusive economic growth. Partnerships combine business viability with development impact across climate and inclusive growth. Annual calls invite project proposals
Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF)
ABF, led by GIZ, supports rural MSMEs in African agricultural value chains—particularly cocoa, maize, and livestock—through training, advisory services, and funding for climate-resilient innovations. Under the EU-OACPS-BMZ Joint Action, ABF promotes skills development, value chain integration, and South-South exchange. Calls for project ideas open periodically.
develoPPP Ventures
BMZ offers co-financing of up to €100,000 for innovative, early-stage companies registered in Ghana, Kenya, or Tanzania. The program supports scalable business models with strong development impact and alignment with the SDGs. Matching equity is required. Call for Applications is currently open
Powering Renewable Energy Opportunities (PREO)
PREO offers grants of up to £300,000 to support innovative, productive use of energy (PUE) projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. Funding targets locally relevant, commercially viable solutions that drive economic development through clean energy. Technical assistance is also available. New funding rounds open annually.
Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE)
CFYE offers co-financing from €100,000 to support scalable solutions that create better jobs for youth in Africa and the Middle East. Country-specific calls invite private sector, civil society, and knowledge institutions to address youth employment challenges with integrated, demand-driven approaches. Country window calls open periodically.
Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA)
BGFA offers results-based financing and catalytic capital to off-grid energy companies in Burkina Faso, Liberia, Mozambique, Uganda, and Zambia. Funding supports early- and middle-stage market expansion through scalable business models. Specific financial eligibility applies. Country funding rounds open periodically.
develoPPP Classic
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) offers up to €2 million in technical and financial support for companies expanding operations in developing and emerging countries. The program targets projects with long-term commercial interest and strong development impact. Applications are accepted year-round.
EEP Africa
EEP Africa offers grants and repayable grants of €200,000–€1 million to early-stage clean energy projects in Southern and East Africa. Funding supports innovative business models in technologies like solar, biogas, mini-hydro, and cookstoves. At least 30% co-financing is required. Applications are open annually.
AECF REACT 2.0 - Kenya Green Growth and Sustainability Program
Managed by AECF, this program offers milestone- and results-based grants of $100,000–$500,000 to Kenyan companies delivering low-carbon, climate-smart innovations. Priority areas include clean energy access, PUE, circular economy, e-mobility, and agri-processing.
Joint Innovation Facility (JIF)
Managed by GIZ under SPARK, the Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) supports Africa-Europe digital innovation and green transition. It funds cross-border consortia led by African entities with at least two partners (Africa-EU or Sub-Saharan). Grants range from €100,000–€250,000, milestone-based, for solutions with measurable impact in climate mitigation, adaptation in blue tech, mobility, energy, and smart cities. Currently open, with up to four more calls expected.
Clean Energy Demonstrators in Tanzania
Contracts for Innovation: Clean Energy Demonstrators in Tanzania UK Innovate offers contracts of £200,000–£800,000 to develop clean energy demonstrators in Tanzania. Projects must showcase innovative, scalable solutions that improve energy access and support local economic development. Open to UK and international organisations. Applications close Q3 2025.
Enterprise Zambia Challenge Fund
Implemented by Self Help Africa (with Imani Development), the EU-funded Enterprise Zambia Challenge Fund provided grants of EUR 150,000–1 million to Zambian for‑profit agri‑enterprises. Eligible firms had at least three years’ operations and a minimum annual turnover of EUR 150,000, integrating smallholders into value chains. Calls closed by 2024.
Business Partnership Facility (BPF)
The Belgian Development Cooperation and King Baudouin Foundation offer grants of €50,000–€200,000 to support entrepreneurial initiatives advancing the SDGs in developing countries. Projects must be commercially viable and part of the core business of at least one partner. Preference is given to Belgian-linked initiatives. Calls are periodic.
Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)
AECF offers grants and interest‑free loans ranging from USD 15,000 to 1.5 million, matched by at least 30 % co‑funding, to catalyze agribusiness and renewable energy enterprises across Sub‑Saharan Africa. The program supports commercially viable innovations that deliver rural livelihoods, climate resilience and sustained development impact. Different opportunities are published regularly.
Digital Energy Challenge 2026
The Digital Energy Challenge (2026) supports innovative SMEs developing digital and AI-driven solutions to improve energy access, utility performance, and renewable integration across Africa. Offers two funding windows: the Tech Accelerator (up to €150,000) for 3–4 SMEs to scale piloted solutions in areas like grid optimisation and microgrid management, and the Partnership Window (up to €400,000) for one project deploying a solution with Nigeria’s AEDC utility. Eligible applicants are SMEs (<250 employees, <€50M turnover) with strong R&D capacity and proven, pilot-stage solutions. Projects must be scalable and implementation-ready, with mandatory expert support included. Deadline: 17 June 2026 (23:59 CET); duration is 12–18 months.
KliK Foundation ITMOs
The KliK Foundation supports climate mitigation activities in developing countries that generate at least 250,000 ITMOs (or 500,000 in large economies) under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. Selected projects help Switzerland meet its international climate targets. Calls are open on a rolling basis.
Modern Cooking Facility for Africa (MCFA)
MCFA offers grants of up to €2.5 million to clean cooking companies providing affordable, energy-efficient cooking solutions in DRC, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The program supports scalable business models that improve access to modern cooking services. Funding rounds open regularly.