Call for Concept Notes: Seed Sector Development Project in Uganda

Deadline: 25-Jul-2026

The Seed Sector Development Project in Uganda, launched by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kampala, invites concept notes from eligible organizations to strengthen Uganda’s seed sector. With a total programme budget of up to €10 million over five years, the initiative aims to improve access to quality seed, strengthen agricultural productivity, and increase incomes for smallholder farmers through sustainable seed system development.

What is the Seed Sector Development Project?

The Seed Sector Development Project is a large-scale agricultural development initiative under the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ Food Security portfolio.

The programme seeks to build a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable seed sector in Uganda by improving the production, availability, affordability, and adoption of quality seed. It combines support for smallholder farmers with investments in commercial seed systems, market development, and regulatory strengthening to improve long-term agricultural productivity and resilience.

Program Overview

• Programme Name: Seed Sector Development Project Uganda
• Launched By: Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Kampala
• Programme Type: Agricultural development and seed sector funding
• Application Stage: Concept Notes
• Total Programme Budget: Up to €10 million
• Project Duration: Five years
• Country Focus: Uganda
• Primary Objective: Strengthen Uganda’s seed sector and improve smallholder farmer productivity and incomes

Funding

The programme provides:

• Up to €10 million in total programme funding.
• A five-year implementation period.
• Support for consortium-based implementation where appropriate.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate efficient use of funds, with the majority of resources directed toward field implementation rather than administrative costs.

Programme Objectives

The Seed Sector Development Project aims to:

• Improve access to quality seed for smallholder farmers.
• Increase agricultural productivity.
• Improve rural household incomes.
• Strengthen Uganda’s commercial seed sector.
• Support farmer-managed seed systems.
• Promote sustainable agricultural development.
• Improve resilience to climate and market challenges.
• Strengthen investment and coordination across the seed sector.
• Build long-term local ownership of seed system interventions.

The programme promotes an integrated approach that combines seed production, market development, institutional strengthening, and policy support.

Focus Areas

The programme supports projects related to:

• Seed sector development
• Quality declared seed
• Farmer-managed seed systems
• Commercial seed production
• Agricultural productivity
• Food security
• Smallholder agriculture
• Seed market development
• Agricultural value chains
• Seed regulation
• Agricultural investment
• Capacity building
• Agricultural resilience
• Sustainable farming systems

Projects should contribute directly to improving the accessibility and use of quality seed throughout Uganda.

Two-Pronged Development Approach

The programme combines support for both community-based seed systems and commercial seed markets.

1. Support for Smallholder Farmers

Projects may focus on:

• Improving access to quality declared seed.
• Strengthening farmer-managed seed systems.
• Increasing seed affordability.
• Expanding the adoption of improved seed varieties.
• Building community-level seed enterprises.

2. Strengthening the Commercial Seed Sector

Projects may include:

• Commercial seed production.
• Seed distribution systems.
• Private sector partnerships.
• Market expansion.
• Investment promotion.
• Improved seed availability nationwide.

Together, these approaches aim to create a stronger and more resilient national seed system.

Importance of Local Ownership

The programme places strong emphasis on sustainable local implementation.

Priority is given to initiatives that:

• Strengthen local seed businesses.
• Support community-based organizations.
• Build institutional capacity.
• Promote locally led development.
• Continue delivering benefits after project completion.

Long-term sustainability is a key evaluation criterion.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Successful implementation is expected to involve collaboration with:

• Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries
• Agricultural research organizations
• Private sector companies
• Farmer cooperatives
• Development partners
• Local seed enterprises

Consortium-based implementation is encouraged where partners contribute complementary expertise.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible lead applicants include:

• International non-governmental organizations (INGOs)
• National non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

The lead applicant must:

• Maintain an operational office in Uganda.
• Demonstrate experience managing projects worth at least €4 million.
• Show strong financial management capacity.
• Provide audited financial statements.
• Have clean audit opinions.
• Demonstrate expertise in seed sector development.
• Have experience working with agricultural market systems.
• Show successful collaboration with private sector partners.

Eligible Partners

The following organizations may participate as project partners, but cannot serve as lead applicants:

• Multilateral organizations
• Public institutions
• Universities
• Research institutions

Partnerships are encouraged where they strengthen technical expertise and implementation capacity.

Ineligible Organizations

Organizations may be excluded if they:

• Have been involved in serious financial misconduct.
• Have experienced funding suspensions in recent years.
• Fail to meet governance standards.
• Do not comply with safeguarding requirements.
• Cannot demonstrate adequate financial accountability.

Strong governance and integrity are mandatory programme requirements.

Governance and Compliance Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Strong governance systems.
• Financial accountability.
• Anti-corruption measures.
• Safeguarding policies.
• Transparent financial management.
• Effective project oversight.

Compliance with these standards is essential throughout project implementation.

Value for Money

Applicants should ensure that:

• Most project funding supports field-level implementation.
• Administrative costs remain reasonable.
• Capacity-building activities directly benefit target communities.
• Resources are used efficiently.
• Project outcomes deliver measurable impact.

The programme emphasizes transparency and effective resource utilization.

What Makes a Strong Concept Note?

Competitive concept notes generally demonstrate:

• Strong knowledge of Uganda’s seed sector.
• Experience supporting smallholder farmers.
• Practical implementation strategies.
• Effective private sector engagement.
• Sustainable market-based approaches.
• Realistic implementation plans.
• Strong consortium governance.
• Measurable development outcomes.
• Clear value for money.

Projects that combine technical expertise with community impact are particularly competitive.

How to Apply

Follow these steps when preparing your concept note.

Step 1: Confirm Organisational Eligibility

Ensure your organization meets all eligibility requirements regarding legal status, financial capacity, governance, and operational presence in Uganda.

Step 2: Develop a Project Concept

Clearly describe:

• The development challenge.
• Project objectives.
• Target beneficiaries.
• Proposed interventions.
• Expected outcomes.
• Sustainability strategy.

Step 3: Build Strategic Partnerships

Where appropriate, establish a consortium with organizations that provide complementary expertise.

Step 4: Prepare Supporting Documentation

Compile:

• Audited financial statements.
• Evidence of previous project experience.
• Governance information.
• Organizational capacity documents.

Step 5: Submit the Concept Note

Submit the complete concept note according to the programme guidelines and within the application deadline.

Why This Project Matters

Access to quality seed is one of the most important factors influencing agricultural productivity.

The Seed Sector Development Project contributes to:

• Improved food security.
• Higher agricultural productivity.
• Increased farmer incomes.
• Stronger seed markets.
• Climate resilience.
• Sustainable rural development.
• Private sector growth.
• Better seed quality and accessibility.

By strengthening Uganda’s seed system, the programme supports long-term agricultural transformation and economic development.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

• Providing weak implementation strategies.
• Failing to demonstrate seed sector expertise.
• Presenting unrealistic budgets.
• Overemphasizing administrative costs.
• Submitting incomplete governance documentation.
• Ignoring sustainability planning.
• Providing insufficient evidence of financial capacity.

Strong concept notes clearly demonstrate technical expertise, financial accountability, and measurable impact.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Concept Note

To strengthen your application:

• Demonstrate extensive experience in seed sector development.
• Present evidence-based interventions.
• Focus on sustainable market development.
• Highlight partnerships with local organizations.
• Show strong governance arrangements.
• Prioritize direct support for farmers and communities.
• Develop measurable indicators for monitoring project performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Seed Sector Development Project?

International and national NGOs may apply as lead applicants. Multilateral organizations, universities, public institutions, and research organizations may participate as project partners but cannot serve as lead applicants.

How much funding is available?

The programme has a total budget of up to €10 million for implementation over five years.

What is the main objective of the programme?

The programme aims to strengthen Uganda’s seed sector by improving the quality, affordability, availability, and adoption of quality seed while increasing agricultural productivity and incomes for smallholder farmers.

What types of projects are supported?

Projects may focus on quality declared seed, farmer-managed seed systems, commercial seed development, agricultural market systems, regulatory strengthening, capacity building, and private sector engagement.

What experience must lead applicants demonstrate?

Lead applicants must have experience managing projects worth at least €4 million, maintain an operational office in Uganda, demonstrate expertise in seed sector development, and provide evidence of strong financial management.

Are consortium applications encouraged?

Yes. Consortium-based implementation is encouraged, particularly where partners bring complementary technical expertise, governance capacity, and implementation experience.

What makes a competitive concept note?

Strong concept notes demonstrate deep knowledge of Uganda’s seed sector, practical implementation strategies, sustainable local ownership, financial accountability, effective partnerships, and measurable benefits for smallholder farmers.

Conclusion

The Seed Sector Development Project Uganda represents a major investment in strengthening Uganda’s agricultural sector through improved access to quality seed and sustainable market development. With up to €10 million available over five years, the programme offers NGOs an opportunity to collaborate with government institutions, research organizations, private sector partners, and farming communities to build a more resilient, inclusive, and productive seed system that delivers lasting benefits for smallholder farmers across Uganda.

For more information, visit EKN.