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GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) | MsingiLab

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GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)

$5K – $100K (for SME programs); larger for institutional

RollingWebsiteEst. 1975

GrantTechnical AssistanceResults-Based Financing (RBF)AgricultureEnergy & ClimateICT & DeeptechManufacturingEducationClean CookingSolar/Off-Grid EnergyPre-SeedSeedEarly Growth

Strong Gender LensModerate Climate Lens

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GIZ provides purpose-tied financial contributions for recipients to implement their own clearly defined activities on a prime cost basis. Eligible recipients may include local implementation partners as well as German and international public-benefit organisations or institutions, including NGOs. Funding supports development policy measures and transformation processes of political partners, with eligibility checks covering commercial and legal capacity as well as compliance with German public-benefit rules and EU state aid rules.

What You Get

Financial contribution for defined activities

GIZ provides a financial contribution so that the financing recipient can implement its own clearly defined activities.

Support for development policy measures

With financing arrangements tied to a specific purpose, GIZ supports local partners and public-benefit organisations in implementing development policy measures on a prime cost basis.

How to Apply

GIZ concludes financing arrangements tied to a specific purpose. Possible recipients include local implementation partners as well as German and international public-benefit organisations or institutions. Depending on the status of the funded organisation or institution, GIZ uses one of three contract types: grant agreements with German recipients, grant agreements with non-German recipients, or financing agreements with lead executing agencies in the partner country. Before concluding a financing agreement, GIZ checks whether recipients are commercially and legally eligible to use the financing properly, and may also check environmental and social compatibility of the measures to be financed.

Warm Intro

Recommended but not required

Geographic Focus

Global, Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Germany

Decision Timeline

3-6 months for most programs

Eligibility

Recipients may include local implementation partners.
Recipients may include German and international public-benefit organisations or institutions.
Recipients must be commercially and legally eligible to use the financing properly.
Financing arrangements must comply with the public-benefit rules set out in the German Fiscal Code and the EU rules on state aid.

Traction Required

Varies — some programs accept idea stage (WIDU), others need existing business (develoPPP)

Team Requirements

Varies by program

Selection Criteria

Commercial eligibility to use the financing properly.
Legal eligibility to use the financing properly.
Compliance with the public-benefit rules set out in the German Fiscal Code.
Compliance with EU rules on state aid.
Environmental compatibility of the measures to be financed.
Social compatibility of the measures to be financed.

Focus Areas

Development policy measures

Financing arrangements are used to support the implementation of development policy measures.

Transformation processes of political partners

GIZ uses financing arrangements to support ongoing transformation processes of its political partners and increase project impact.

What They Look For

German development agency with multiple SME-focused programs. develoPPP Ventures: up to EUR 100K grants for startups in SA. SAIS: agri-tech investment readiness + EUR 20K for African agtech startups. WIDU: EUR 3-5K matching grants for diaspora-backed entrepreneurs. AfNEXT: SME support in Ghana. EnDev (Energising Development): Results-Based Financing for energy access — solar companies and clean cooking providers receive performance-based grants upon verified delivery of products to end users. Active in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Mozambique, and more.

Post-Investment Support

Business development training, customized consulting, equipment grants (in-kind), investment readiness programs, market access support

Red Flags to Watch

Many small programs — can be confusing to navigate. Grant sizes are small.

Insider Tip

Applicants should show that their proposed activities are clearly defined, development-policy relevant, and suitable for implementation on a prime cost basis. Be ready to document legal and commercial eligibility, public-benefit status, and the environmental and social compatibility of the funded measures.

1975

Active Since

Yes

Deploying

Notable Investments

52 SMEs supported in Ghana via AfNEXT. SAIS: agtech startups across East Africa. WIDU: entrepreneurs in Kenya, Ghana, and more.

Opportunities

GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit)

What You Get

Application Details

Fit Criteria