€50,000–€150,000 Funding Opportunity 2026 — ESTDEV Call for Green & Digital Transition Projects in Africa.
The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) has launched a new grant funding programme offering €50,000–€150,000 per project to support innovative, people-centred initiatives advancing green and digital transition in selected African countries. Open to organizations working on climate-smart solutions, digital skills development, innovation ecosystems, education systems, and women’s empowerment, this funding opportunity provides critical support for scalable, high-impact development interventions. The application deadline is 30 January 2026.
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Background & Programme Description
About ESTDEV
Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) is Estonia’s governmental agency responsible for managing international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. ESTDEV focuses on promoting sustainable development, digital transformation, good governance, innovation, and inclusive economic growth, with a strong emphasis on sharing Estonia’s expertise in digitalisation and e-governance.
Through partnerships with governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organisations, ESTDEV supports projects that are:
- Innovative and scalable
- People-centred and inclusive
- Aligned with global development priorities
- Capable of delivering long-term impact
Overview of the Green & Digital Transition Grant Programme
For 2026, ESTDEV has opened a Call for Applications aimed at supporting projects that accelerate green and digital transition across selected African countries. The programme is designed to fund practical, solution-oriented initiatives that address development challenges while fostering sustainability, innovation, and digital inclusion.
The grants are intended to:
- Support pilot projects and scalable solutions
- Strengthen local innovation ecosystems
- Promote inclusive access to digital skills and technologies
- Advance climate-smart and environmentally sustainable practices
Eligible Countries
Projects must be implemented in one or more of the following countries:
- Botswana
- Kenya
- Namibia
- Zambia
- Uganda
- Tanzania
Regional or multi-country projects involving these eligible countries may also be considered, provided they meet programme objectives.
€50,000–€150,000 Funding Opportunity 2026: ESTDEV Call for Green & Digital Transition Projects in Africa
Funding Scope & Priority Areas
Grant Size
- €50,000 – €150,000 per project
The funding level allows for meaningful implementation while encouraging efficiency, innovation, and results-based delivery.
Priority Thematic Areas
Projects submitted under this call are strongly encouraged to focus on one or more of the following areas:
1. Green & Climate-Smart Solutions
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Renewable energy and energy efficiency
- Sustainable natural resource management
- Climate adaptation and resilience solutions
2. Digital Skills & Inclusion
- Digital literacy and skills development
- Youth and workforce digital upskilling
- Access to digital tools and platforms
- Reducing the digital divide
3. Innovation Ecosystems
- Support for startups and SMEs
- Innovation hubs and tech ecosystems
- Digital entrepreneurship and innovation financing
- Public-private collaboration
4. Education Systems
- Digital transformation of education
- EdTech solutions
- Teacher training and digital curricula
- Skills development aligned with labour market needs
5. Women’s Empowerment
- Women’s participation in digital and green economies
- Gender-responsive innovation initiatives
- Economic empowerment through technology
- Inclusive leadership and entrepreneurship
Projects that integrate gender equality, inclusion, and sustainability across all activities are particularly encouraged.
Eligible Applicants
While specific eligibility criteria are defined in the official call, typical applicants may include:
- Civil society organisations (CSOs)
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
- Academic or research institutions
- Social enterprises and innovation hubs
- Private sector entities (in partnership models)
- Consortia of organisations
Applicants are generally expected to demonstrate:
- Proven capacity to manage grant funding
- Experience in project implementation
- Strong local or regional partnerships
- Alignment with green and digital development objectives
Key Activities Supported
Funded projects may include activities such as:
- Pilot implementation of innovative solutions
- Capacity building and training programmes
- Development of digital platforms or tools
- Research, testing, and scaling of green technologies
- Community-based interventions with digital components
- Policy-relevant innovation and learning initiatives
Projects should demonstrate clear outcomes, measurable impact, and sustainability beyond the grant period.
Application Timeline
- Call Opens: Ongoing
- Application Deadline: 30 January 2026
- Project Start: As specified in grant agreement
Early preparation is strongly recommended due to the competitive nature of the call.
Evaluation & Selection Considerations
Applications are typically assessed based on:
- Relevance to green and digital transition objectives
- Innovation and scalability of the proposed solution
- Feasibility and cost-effectiveness
- Expected development impact
- Gender equality and inclusion considerations
- Strength of partnerships and local ownership
Additional Information
Funding Type
- Competitive grant funding
Grant Value
- €50,000–€150,000 per project
Geographic Focus
- Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania
Thematic Focus
- Green transition
- Digital transformation
- Education and skills
- Innovation ecosystems
- Women’s empowerment
Deadline
- 30 January 2026
This funding alert is shared by an independent website and does not represent ESTDEV. Applicants should refer only to official ESTDEV documentation for final eligibility and application requirements.
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Body | ESTDEV |
| Grant Size | €50,000–€150,000 |
| Eligible Countries | Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania |
| Focus Areas | Green transition, Digital skills, Innovation, Education, Women’s empowerment |
| Funding Type | Project Grant |
| Deadline | 30 January 2026 |
| Year | 2026 |
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