The Joint Innovation Facility has launched a funding call offering €100,000–€250,000 to support scalable climate-focused digital innovations across Africa through African–European partnerships.
The Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) has unveiled a new funding window offering between €100,000 and €250,000 to support climate-focused digital innovation projects in Africa. The initiative targets scalable, impact-driven solutions that use technology to tackle climate change and its effects on communities across the continent.
Launched under the Africa-Europe Digital Innovation Bridge (AEDIB 2.0), the facility is funded by the European Union, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Implementation is led by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with the HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd.
The programme seeks African-led consortia made up of at least one African and one European partner. Eligible applicants can include startups, established companies, research institutions, and innovation support organisations. These partnerships must present tested, commercially viable innovations that are ready for scaling. Priority will be given to projects from one of 14 focus countries, including Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, and South Africa.
According to the organisers, the funding will support initiatives that contribute to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and resilience while leveraging digital technology. Target sectors include Blue Tech, renewable energy, sustainable mobility, and smart city solutions. In addition, the facility is placing emphasis on gender-responsive and inclusive innovations that can create long-term socio-economic benefits.
The support extends beyond financial assistance. Successful projects will benefit from milestone-based grants as well as non-financial resources through a dedicated “Project Studio.” This component will provide technical advisory services, mentorship, investment-readiness coaching, and networking opportunities with potential investors and partners. Recipients will also gain strategic visibility through the Africa–Europe partnership platforms and alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development framework.
The application process follows a two-stage approach. Interested consortia must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) by 15 September 2025. Shortlisted applicants will then be invited to submit full proposals for final evaluation. The organisers have stressed that proposals must demonstrate measurable climate impact, a viable business model, and strong potential for replication in other regions.
The Joint Innovation Facility is part of broader efforts to strengthen Africa–Europe cooperation in the digital and green economy. By fostering partnerships between innovators, researchers, and private sector actors from both continents, the initiative aims to accelerate the development and deployment of climate-positive solutions tailored to African contexts.
Organisers believe the facility will unlock fresh opportunities for African entrepreneurs and innovators to access not only funding but also international networks and expertise. This, they say, is critical to advancing homegrown solutions that can address climate challenges while creating jobs and promoting sustainable economic growth.
Full details on eligibility, focus areas, and application guidelines are available through the Joint Innovation Facility’s official call for proposals.