SWITCH to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa - Call for Projects

Expired – · Found: 2026-03-13 15:31

EU and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) co-financed programme for circular economy businesses in East and Southern Africa. Deadline March 16, 2026. Two complementary lots: Lot 1 (Innovation) provides grants of EUR 200,000-500,000 for early-stage circular economy solutions; Lot 2 (Scaling) provides grants of EUR 500,000-2,500,000 for post-revenue growth businesses. Total available EUR 6,000,000. Supports plastic packaging and e-waste value chains. Eligible applicants must be established in targeted countries (Kenya, East and Southern Africa) or partner with local organizations. Prioritizes women-owned and women-led enterprises.

Source: https://fundsforcompanies.fundsforngos.org/grant/grant-awards-and-technical-assistance-provision-for-circular-economy-businesses/

Funding Details

Funder

European Union and German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), implemented by GIZ and Expertise France

Funding Goal

Strengthen access to finance and technical assistance for circular economy start-ups and MSMEs in the plastics, packaging, and e-waste value chains across East and Southern Africa. The call aims to support Entrepreneurial Support Organisations (incubators, accelerators, grant managers) to deliver structured support programmes combining grant funding and technical assistance to circular economy businesses.

Funding Amount

Total: EUR 6 million. Lot 1 (Innovation/early stage): EUR 1M allocated, grants EUR 200,000-500,000. Lot 2 (Scaling/growth stage): EUR 5M allocated, grants EUR 500,000-2,500,000. (200.000 € – 2.500.000 €)

Deadline

2026-03-16 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Submit applications via Expertise France portal: https://pops.expertisefrance.fr/sdm/ent2/gen/ficheCsl.action?PCSLID=CSL_2026_T_bAOnyuLT&cycNum=0&ongletActif=2#tab2

Target Region

East and Southern Africa — specifically Kenya and other targeted countries in the region

Contact

Expertise France portal: https://pops.expertisefrance.fr

Last Checked

2026-03-15 11:15

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an Entrepreneurial Support Organisation (incubator, accelerator, venture builder, or grant manager)
• Must be established in targeted East and Southern Africa country, or partner with a local organisation if based elsewhere
• Must have proven experience managing donor-funded programmes and supporting SMEs with business development
• Must demonstrate experience supporting women-owned and women-led enterprises through gender-responsive approaches

Project Scope

• Project must focus on circular economy in plastics/packaging or e-waste value chains
• Choose correct lot: Lot 1 for early-stage innovation (EUR 200K-500K), Lot 2 for scaling enterprises (EUR 500K-2.5M)

Required Documents

• Application submitted via Expertise France portal by March 16, 2026
• Must demonstrate financial and operational capacity to manage grant funds and deliver TA to multiple beneficiaries

Summary

The SWITCH to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa (SWITCH-2-CE in ESA) programme has launched a Call for Projects to strengthen access to finance and technical assistance for circular economy businesses in the plastics, packaging, and e-waste value chains. The programme is co-financed by the European Union and Germany's BMZ, and jointly implemented by GIZ and Expertise France. The application deadline is March 16, 2026. The thematic scope covers circular economy in plastics and packaging, and electronics/e-waste value chains. The programme aims to foster inclusive circular economy transition through: policy reform, skills development, private sector investment, enabling women and youth participation, and improving access to finance for circular economy MSMEs and start-ups. Priority areas include strengthening technical and financial capacity of circular economy enterprises, gender-responsive and youth-focused entrepreneurship approaches. The call is structured into two lots. Lot 1 (Innovation) targets early or pre-seed stage circular economy solutions (EUR 200,000-500,000 per grant, total EUR 1M available). Lot 2 (Scaling) targets post-revenue or seed-stage start-ups and MSMEs ready to scale (EUR 500,000-2.5M per grant, total EUR 5M available). The geographic scope is East and Southern Africa, specifically Kenya and other targeted countries in the region. Applicants must be established in these countries or apply in partnership with a local organisation. Eligible applicants are Entrepreneurial Support Organisations (ESOs) such as incubators, accelerators, venture builders, or grant-managing organisations. They must demonstrate capacity to manage donor funds and deliver structured business support to multiple beneficiary enterprises, with proven experience in gender-responsive approaches. Total available funding is EUR 6 million. Applications are submitted via the Expertise France portal. The programme focuses on building a pipeline of scalable, sustainable circular economy businesses contributing to environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth in the region.

Historical Context

The SWITCH-2-CE in ESA (SWITCH to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa) programme is a regional initiative co-financed by the EU and BMZ, jointly implemented by GIZ and Expertise France. This Call for Projects is implemented under Specific Objective 3 of the programme, focusing on improving access to finance for circular economy enterprises.

Sources

• https://fundsforcompanies.fundsforngos.org/grant/grant-awards-and-technical-assistance-provision-for-circular-economy-businesses/

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