Grants for business develoPPP Classic from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

The develoPPP Classic grant programme is implemented as an ideas competition and aims to support business projects that contribute to sustainable development in developing countries and emerging markets.

Implementation and partners:

• The programme is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
• Participating companies receive support from two key implementing partners — DEG Impulse gGmbH and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, which provide assistance in project preparation, structuring, and implementation.
• DEG Impulse offers financial expertise and support to help companies implement impactful and sustainable private-sector projects.
• GIZ provides technical expertise, access to international networks, and hands-on implementation support, drawing on its experience in more than 120 countries.

Expected outcomes:

• The programme supports innovative business projects with strong development impact, contributing to local economic growth, job creation, and long-term sustainability.
• Participants benefit not only from financial support but also from expert guidance, strategic partnerships, and access to international development opportunities.

The eligibility criteria and participation requirements for the grant programme establish a set of organizational, financial, and strategic conditions that companies must meet. The key requirements include the following:

• The company must be a privately owned, profit-oriented organization legally registered in an EU country, an EFTA member state, or a country listed on the OECD DAC list.
• Applicants must demonstrate a stable financial position, including positive net income, sufficient equity, and liquidity to ensure their required contribution to the project.
• Companies are required to provide at least two audited annual financial statements, confirming financial transparency and implementation capacity.
• The applicant must have an annual turnover of at least EUR 800,000 and employ a minimum of eight staff members, indicating sufficient operational scale.
• The company must possess adequate internal staff resources and technical expertise to implement the project independently or in cooperation with partners.
• The proposed project must contribute to sustainable development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and deliver benefits not only to the company but also to the target country.
• The project should also go beyond routine business operations and demonstrate additional developmental value and long-term impact.

• The programme operates in more than 60 developing and emerging countries and offers a flexible approach in terms of sectors and thematic focus.
• It supports projects across various areas — from training local experts and piloting innovative technologies to developing sustainable supply chains and improving environmental and social standards.
• A core requirement is the combination of a long-term business interest with a sustainable developmental benefit in the country of implementation.
• Funding decisions are made through an ideas competition held twice a year.
• The BMZ provides funding ranging from EUR 100,000 to EUR 2,000,000, covering up to 50% of the total project costs, with the remaining share to be co-financed by the company.
• During implementation, the company cooperates with one of the implementing partners — DEG Impulse gGmbH or GIZ.

• The programme operates as an open ideas competition, held twice a year and open to companies that meet the eligibility requirements.
• Funding is provided to projects that contribute to economic, environmental, and social development, including sustainable supply chains, workforce training and qualification, and sustainable agricultural systems.
• The current competition places special emphasis on projects aligned with the European Commission’s Global Gateway strategy, particularly in the areas of climate and energy, transport, digital economy, health, and education.

The application process for participation in the grant programme is conducted through a centralized digital system and follows defined timelines and procedures

• Applicants must submit their application via a dedicated online application platform, which is used for centralized submission and management of applications.
• Through the platform, applicants can upload all required documents, complete the application, and manage their submission throughout the process.
• The platform also enables applicants to track progress and communicate with programme representatives if clarification or additional information is required.

Application periods

• The ideas competition is held twice per year in an open call format.
• Applications can be submitted during the following periods:

1. 15 February – 31 March (first cycle);
2. 15 August – 30 September (second cycle).

Key evaluation criteria:

• The project must be implemented in a country included in the develoPPP Classic country list and comply with the programme’s geographic requirements.
• The proposal must demonstrate clear economic benefits for the company, while also contributing to environmental, social, and/or economic sustainability in the project country.
• The project must align with the development policy priorities of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
• Assessors evaluate the coherence and quality of the project design, the realism of objectives and activities, and the appropriateness of the cost–benefit ratio.
• Particular importance is given to the creation of long-term structures ensuring sustainability of results beyond the funding period.
• The intended changes and results must be measurable within the project duration.
• The principle of additionality is assessed — the applicant must demonstrate that the project would not be implemented without develoPPP support.
• Funding must be compatible with European state aid law.

Evaluation process:

• Each application undergoes an individual review and quality assessment based on standardised criteria.
• The implementing partners (DEG Impulse and GIZ) identify the most suitable proposals and further develop them jointly with the applicant company.
• A second assessment stage follows; if the evaluation is positive, a funding contract is concluded.

Overall assessment approach:

• The programme supports projects that combine long-term business interests with sustainable development impact.
• Proposals must demonstrate benefits not only for the company but also for local communities and the broader economy.
• Evaluators consider the project’s potential to create sustainable change, innovation, and long-term development effects.

Copies of the last two audited annual financial statements.

The deadlines for submissions are 31 March and 30 September.

Project funding must be compatible with European state aid law.