Grant Awards and Technical Assistance for Circular Economy Businesses in Plastic Packaging and E-Waste - East and Southern Africa

Expired – · Found: 2026-03-13 16:41

EUR 6 million grant program (EUR 200,000-500,000 per award) by Expertise France, German BMZ, and EU Commission for circular economy businesses in plastic packaging value chains. Covers 13 African countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda.

Source: https://www.developmentaid.org/grants/view/1607598/grant-awards-and-technical-assistance-provision-for-circular-economy-businesses-in-the-plastic-packa

Funding Details

Funder

Expertise France (EU + German Federal Ministry BMZ)

Funding Goal

Provide catalytic grant funding and targeted technical assistance to circular-economy startups and MSMEs in plastic packaging and e-waste value chains in East and Southern Africa

Funding Amount

Lot 1 (Innovation): EUR 200,000–500,000; Lot 2 (Scaling): EUR 500,000–2,500,000; total budget EUR 6,000,000 (200.000 € – 2.500.000 €)

Deadline

2026-03-16 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Submit proposal via the Expertise France SAS portal demonstrating capability to manage funding and provide technical assistance to multiple beneficiaries in circular economy sectors. Full details require member access on DevelopmentAid.

Target Region

East and Southern Africa: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia

Contact

Expertise France SAS portal; application details available via DevelopmentAid member access

Official Page

https://www.developmentaid.org/grants/view/1607598/grant-awards-and-technical-assistance-provision-f

Last Checked

2026-03-15 13:23

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Lead applicant must be a legal entity established in one of the 13 eligible African countries
• Acceptable entity types: ESOs, incubators, accelerators, venture builders, grant managers
• Must demonstrate operational/financial capacity for multi-beneficiary grant management
• Track record with donor-funded circular economy programmes required

Project Scope

• Gender-responsive approaches and support for women-led enterprises required
• Activities must focus on plastic packaging and/or e-waste value chains
• Lot 1 Innovation: EUR 200K-500K; Lot 2 Scaling: EUR 500K-2.5M

Constraints

• For-profit entities eligible but cannot retain profits
• Deadline: March 16, 2026

Summary

The SWITCH-2-CE Grant Awards and Technical Assistance Programme is a EUR 6 million initiative funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), administered through Expertise France SAS. The programme aims to foster an inclusive circular economy transition in East and Southern Africa, with a primary focus on plastic packaging and e-waste value chains. The programme operates under two lots. Lot 1 (Innovation) provides grants of EUR 200,000 to EUR 500,000, with a total envelope of EUR 1,000,000, targeting early-stage organisations with innovative approaches to circular economy business models. Lot 2 (Scaling) provides grants of EUR 500,000 to EUR 2,500,000, with a total envelope of EUR 5,000,000, targeting organisations ready to scale proven circular economy interventions. Eligible applicants are Entrepreneurial Support Organisations (ESOs) including incubators, accelerators, venture builders, and grant-managing organisations that are legal entities established in one of the 13 target countries: Angola, Botswana, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. External organisations may also apply if partnering with local entities. Both nonprofit and for-profit entities are eligible; however, for-profit applicants may not retain profits from the programme. Applicants must demonstrate operational and financial capacity to manage grants and provide technical assistance to multiple beneficiaries, a proven track record with donor-funded programmes, experience in the circular economy sector, and gender-responsive approaches that specifically support women-led enterprises. The programme prioritises access to finance for circular economy businesses, policy reform, and inclusive entrepreneurship. The programme is part of the broader SWITCH-2-CE initiative, which aims to accelerate the transition to circular economy models across East and Southern Africa, helping businesses and support organisations build the technical and financial foundations needed for sustainable plastic waste and e-waste value chains.

Historical Context

Part of the SWITCH-to-CE programme series funded by EU/BMZ. The call opened in late 2025 with a March 16, 2026 deadline. Programme is part of a wider EU-Africa Green Deal and circular economy agenda.

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