Deadline Date: May 08, 2026
The Business Partnership Facility (BPF) supports innovative partnerships between Luxembourg or European Union enterprises and partners in developing countries to address key societal challenges while expanding sustainable business opportunities.
The initiative focuses on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through projects that contribute to poverty reduction, food security, climate change mitigation, access to quality education, decent work, clean drinking water, and other development priorities in partner countries.
The Business Partnership Facility was established in 2016 by Luxembourg’s Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, Defence, Development Cooperation, and Foreign Trade to strengthen the role of the private sector in development cooperation. The program encourages enterprises from Luxembourg and the European Union to collaborate with partners in developing countries to implement innovative solutions that address social and environmental challenges while fostering sustainable economic growth.
Through this initiative, businesses can explore new markets and develop impactful projects with the support of co-financing. The program operates through two annual calls for proposals, with application deadlines typically set at the end of April and the end of October. Selected projects receive co-financing of up to EUR 200,000, which will increase to EUR 300,000 starting in 2026, covering a maximum of 50 percent of the total project cost.
The program supports a wide range of innovative initiatives across sectors as long as they contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Projects may involve conducting feasibility studies for innovative ideas in target countries, implementing pilot versions of new solutions in emerging markets, or scaling up production chains and innovative technologies to reach wider communities.
Eligibility for the Business Partnership Facility requires that the lead partner be a private-sector enterprise registered in Luxembourg or another European Union country for more than three years. The enterprise must have at least five employees and an annual turnover of at least EUR 500,000 or three times the amount of co-financing requested. Each project must involve at least one local partner based in a developing country eligible for official development assistance, such as a public or private organization, university, research institute, or civil society organization.
Projects submitted to the program are evaluated based on several criteria including innovation, societal impact, financial sustainability, and partnership value. Proposals must demonstrate that their solutions are distinct from existing products or services in the local market and that they provide meaningful contributions to development outcomes such as job creation, improved access to services, environmental protection, and climate action.
For more information, visit BPF.
