Introduction
The EU-funded Zambia for Agroforestry, Biodiversity, and Climate (Z4ABC) project has launched a Call for Proposals for Financial Matching Grants to support private sector actors, cooperatives, NGOs, and other non-public entities in implementing innovative, value-adding activities across priority value chains. This initiative is led by CIFOR-ICRAF in partnership with Prospero Limited.
Grant objectives
The Financial Matching Grants aim to:
- Promote innovation in technical and business practices
- Introduce environmentally sustainable technologies to improve productivity
- Enhance access to markets
- Create jobs and generate income, particularly for women and youth
Eligible applicants
This call targets proposals from fully registered Zambian private sector entities, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), cooperatives, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and other relevant non-public sector entities. For consortium applications, please clearly identify the lead applicant and sub-applicants, noting that only the lead applicant will enter into a grant award contract with CIFOR-ICRAF.
Eligible activities
Grant activities eligible for funding must directly focus on scaling up sustainable practices and supporting innovative value-adding business ventures in the targeted value chains.To this end, the financial grants will focus on enhancing and developing business opportunities that complement the core value chains identified in the pilot sites for the Z4ABC project. Duplication of activities already directly implemented by the Z4ABC project may not be funded under this grant. Each proposal must demonstrate how it will create added value within these value chains, while ensuring relevance and maximising impact in alignment with the Z4ABC project objectives. Emphasis will be placed on grant activities that incorporate value addition as a key part of their project design.
Grant amount
- Grants will range from €5,000 to €60,000.
- The minimum allowable duration for grant activities is nine (9) months, and the maximum is eighteen (18) months. All costs must be incurred and accounted for within the agreed performance period.
- The grants will follow a matching model, requiring applicants to contribute a portion of the project funding.
Location
Activities should take place in regions of Zambia, specifically the Lower Zambezi, Luangwa, and Nyika Corridors, or in other locations – provided they directly support value chain in Z4ABC pilot sites. (Refer to the Z4ABC pilot locations here.Deadline and important dates
- Deadline to submit applications: 8 September 2025
- Notification of results: Applicants will be notified on a rolling basis
- Commencement of approved grants: 26 February 2026
- Completion and final reporting of all grants to CIFOR-ICRAF: 26 August 2027
Evaluation and selection processAll submitted proposals will undergo a rigorous evaluation by a panel of experts. Applications with the highest scores will proceed to the grant contract preparation stage. Only proposals submitted by the deadline will be considered for funding.How to applyFill the application registration form to get more information and guidance on the application process here.
