Unlock Funding for Impactful Sustainability Solutions
Are you a public institution or private non-profit organization with a proven digital innovation that tackles environmental challenges? If so, the Digital and Green Innovation Joint Action may be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.
This EU-funded initiative is offering up to €750,000 in grants to support digital solutions that contribute to the green transition. Whether your innovation focuses on climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, or sustainable resource management, this call for proposals could provide the financial backing and technical assistance to help your project scale.
But hurry – the application deadline is September 4th, 2024. In this article, we’ll dive into the key details you need to know to submit a winning proposal.
Eligibility: Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for this funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Legal Status: You must be a legal entity, either a public institution or a private non-profit organization.
- Responsibility: You must be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the proposed action, not acting as an intermediary.
- Grant Experience: You must have previously managed a grant (of public funds) amounting to at least 40% of the amount you’re applying for.
The call for proposals is open to organizations in 13 African partner countries of the Belgian development cooperation: Niger, Senegal, Morocco, Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea-Conakry, Mozambique, Burundi, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
What Kind of Solutions Are They Looking For?
The Digital and Green Innovation Joint Action is seeking digital solutions that tackle environmental challenges and contribute to the development of circular, resilient local economies. Specifically, they are interested in innovations that leverage digital tools and technologies to address one or more of the following environmental objectives:
- Climate Adaptation and Resilience: Solutions that help communities adapt to the impacts of climate change and build resilience.
- Climate Mitigation: Innovations that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Protection: Projects that protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural habitats and ecosystems.
- Water and Maritime Resource Management: Solutions that ensure the sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources.
- Pollution Prevention and Reduction: Innovations that prevent or reduce pollution and waste.
- Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy: Solutions that promote the circular economy, reuse, and recycling of resources.
Importantly, the digital component of these innovations is not an end in itself, but rather a means to tackle pressing environmental and social challenges within the boundaries of our planet.
Evaluation Criteria: What Makes a Winning Proposal?
The jury will evaluate the proposed innovations based on three main criteria:
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Innovative Aspect: To qualify as an innovation, your solution must demonstrate novelty, either in terms of the technology used, the problem it addresses, or the approach it takes to tackle environmental issues.
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Scaling Aspect: Your innovation must have already reached the proof-of-concept stage and be ready to scale or in the process of scaling. This could mean expanding your geographical reach, increasing the number of users/beneficiaries, or developing new services.
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Green Aspect: Your innovation must clearly contribute to at least one of the environmental objectives listed above, such as climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, or sustainable resource management.
In addition, the jury will assess the alignment of your proposal with the thematic priorities and country portfolios of Enabel and its implementing partners. These priorities include:
- Sustainable agriculture and food systems
- Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency
- Circular economy and waste management
- Nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration
Funding and Support: What’s on Offer?
The total indicative budget for this call for proposals is €750,000. Individual grants will range from a minimum of €100,000 to a maximum of €150,000, with a project implementation period of 12 to 14 months.
In addition to the financial support, successful applicants will also receive:
- Tailored Technical Assistance: Experts from the implementing partners will provide specialized support to help you refine and scale your innovation.
- Capacity-Building Activities: You’ll have access to training and workshops to strengthen your organizational and technical capacities.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you believe your digital green innovation is a good fit for this funding opportunity, follow these steps to apply:
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Download and Review the Guidelines: Thoroughly read through the comprehensive guidelines, which contain all the necessary information and instructions for submitting your proposal.
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Complete the Online Application Form: Once you’re ready, head to the APPLY page and click the ‘APPLY’ button. Within the form, you’ll be asked to answer a series of questions and upload the required documents.
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Ensure Completeness: Double-check that your application form and all the necessary annexes are complete. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
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Seek Independent Support: If you need assistance with your application, you can click the ‘NEED HELP?’ button on the APPLY page to access independent support services.
Remember, the deadline for submitting your proposal is September 4th, 2024. Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock funding and scale your impactful digital green innovation!
Conclusion: Embracing the Green Digital Transition
The Digital and Green Innovation Joint Action represents a significant investment in sustainable solutions that can shape a more resilient and environmentally-conscious future. By leveraging digital technologies to address pressing environmental challenges, this initiative aims to catalyze the twin transitions towards a green and digital economy.
Whether your innovation focuses on climate adaptation, biodiversity protection, or resource efficiency, this funding opportunity could provide the boost your project needs to scale and make a real difference. So, what are you waiting for? Apply now and be part of the digital green revolution!
