GREENTech4CE Financial Support for MSMEs Transitioning to a Green, Circular and Digital Economy

The focus areas of this opportunity are the financial allocation provided by the GREENTech4CE, the Project has been designed to provide financial support to Zambian companies amounting to EUR 15.7m, the budget allocated to this Call is EUR 4 million, the objectives of the GREENTech4CE project aim to address the challenges MSMEs face in transitioning into a sustainable and diversified green, circular, and digital economy, the project intends to enhance MSMEs’ capacities through technical assistance and financial support, to increase local value addition and sector diversification, to link value chains associated with CRMs and increase market awareness and access for GCD products, by improving the availability and diversity of financial products for MSMEs and fostering public-private learning and policy advocacy, the project seeks to attract more investments and facilitate MSME growth in Zambia’s GCD economy, specific objectives include support and development of 550 start-ups and micro-enterprises through technical assistance and grant support for business development, and boosting of economic growth by enhancing market access including local, regional, and international markets to 330 start-ups and micro-enterprises and 250 SMEs.

Further impact investors or venture capital will develop and provide access to financial options for GCD MSMEs, joint ventures and start-ups, the Project has earmarked catalysing at least EUR 20 million of new investment for GCD MSMEs and start-ups, eventually translating into job creation of 2,000 new full-time equivalent jobs and 4,000 existing FTE jobs sustained, an estimated 500 individuals from targeted MSMEs will complete specialised training and attain relevant qualifications through courses and modules in circular economy and financial, digital and management literacy, the project will support approximately 800 MSMEs and engage with 8–15 Business Development Service Providers, two FabLab’s will be established to support design and prototyping,

The project will target 50% women and 75% youth entrepreneurs, the project will also enhance the policy and enabling environment through engagements with government bodies to create an enabling environment for MSMEs and the GCD economy, funding available depending on the funding window including Feasibility Studies with EUR 25,000–100,000 and 30% match funding, Medium Enterprises with EUR 100,000–500,000 and 50% match funding, and Startups with EUR 100,000–500,000 and 50% match funding, eligible sectors include Manufacturing excluding food processing, Green Mining with a focus on artisanal mining, Urban mining with e-waste recycling, Services, Construction and construction material, Digital, Green Transport and Logistics, and Waste to energy, and there are three areas of eligibility: the applicant, the actions, and the costs.

This opportunity provides substantial financial backing to strengthen Zambia’s emerging green, circular and digital economy. Through diverse funding windows, businesses may access grants starting from EUR 25,000 and going up to EUR 500,000, with some opportunities extending up to EUR 1,000,000 for enterprises partnered with the EU or those demonstrating a strong digital component. Match funding requirements range from 30 percent to 50 percent, ensuring shared commitment to project success.

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