Call for Proposals: Borderlands V – West Africa Programme

The European Commission Borderlands V – West Africa Call for Proposals provides EUR 25 million to support cross-border initiatives in the Côte d’Ivoire–Mali–Guinea border regions. The programme funds projects that strengthen peacebuilding, conflict prevention, socio-economic development, natural resource governance, anti-trafficking efforts, and community resilience through partnerships among eligible non-profit organizations.

About the Borderlands V – West Africa Call for Proposals

The Borderlands V – West Africa Call for Proposals is a European Commission funding initiative designed to reduce instability and strengthen resilience in the border regions of Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Guinea.

The programme complements national development initiatives and supports the objectives of the African Great Green Wall Initiative by addressing the social, economic, environmental, and security challenges affecting vulnerable border communities.

The funding supports long-term, cross-border projects that promote peace, improve livelihoods, strengthen governance, and reduce the risks associated with conflict, violent extremism, and cross-border crime.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

Prevent conflict and instability in border regions.
Reduce the spillover effects of insecurity across national borders.
Improve livelihoods for vulnerable border communities.
Promote sustainable management of natural resources.
Strengthen regional cooperation and social cohesion.
Combat cross-border trafficking and violent extremism.
Support inclusive economic growth and resilience.
Complement national development programmes and the African Great Green Wall Initiative.

Funding Available

The programme has an indicative total budget of EUR 25 million.

Funding Lots

Lot 1 – Mali–Guinea–Côte d’Ivoire Tri-Border Area

Budget: EUR 15 million

Lot 2 – Guinea–Côte d’Ivoire Forest Zone

Budget: EUR 10 million

The European Commission reserves the right not to allocate the full available budget.

EU Funding Rate

The European Union will finance between:

70% and 95% of eligible project costs.

Applicants must provide the remaining funding through non-EU sources.

Project Duration

Eligible projects must run for:

48 to 60 months.

This long implementation period allows partners to establish sustainable interventions with lasting regional impact.

Priority Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following thematic priorities.

Socio-Economic Development

Activities may include:

Creating employment opportunities.
Supporting entrepreneurship.
Improving livelihoods.
Expanding private sector development.
Increasing economic opportunities for women and youth.
Supporting mobile and border populations.

Natural Resource Governance

Projects may focus on:

Land governance.
Sustainable water management.
Pasture management.
Forest resource management.
Mining governance.
Preventing conflicts over natural resources.

Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion

Supported interventions include:

Community dialogue.
Conflict prevention.
Peacebuilding initiatives.
Strengthening trust among communities.
Managing population and livestock displacement.

Security and Anti-Trafficking

Projects may support:

Combating human trafficking.
Addressing cross-border trafficking networks.
Strengthening institutional capacity.
Preventing violent extremism.
Improving cross-border cooperation.

Expected Impact

The programme seeks to:

Strengthen stability in fragile border regions.
Improve access to sustainable livelihoods.
Increase resilience among vulnerable communities.
Enhance regional cooperation.
Reduce conflict related to natural resources.
Improve governance across borders.
Strengthen protection against trafficking and violent extremism.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Lead Applicants

Lead applicants must be:

Non-profit legal entities.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Public operators.
Local authorities.
International organizations.

Applicants must be legally established in:

An EU Member State, or
An eligible NDICI country.

Experience Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

Significant experience working in West Africa.
Experience operating in at least two target countries.
Experience implementing EU-funded regional or cross-border programmes.
Operational capacity in fragile or conflict-affected environments.
Commitment to human rights, gender equality, and inclusive development.

Consortium Requirements

Applications must be submitted through a consortium.

Each consortium must include:

At least one eligible co-applicant from each country where activities will be implemented.
Partners with complementary technical expertise.
Organizations capable of delivering activities across multiple thematic priorities.

Co-applicants must satisfy the same eligibility requirements as lead applicants.

Eligible Geographic Areas

Projects should focus on one of the following areas:

Lot 1

The tri-border region involving:

Mali
Guinea
Côte d’Ivoire

Lot 2

The border area between:

Guinea
Côte d’Ivoire

Why This Programme Matters

Border regions often experience higher levels of poverty, weak governance, limited public services, insecurity, and environmental pressures. These challenges can increase the risk of conflict, displacement, trafficking, and violent extremism.

The Borderlands V programme adopts a regional approach by supporting coordinated interventions across national borders. By combining economic development, natural resource management, peacebuilding, and security initiatives, the programme helps create more stable and resilient communities.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your organization and consortium partners meet all eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Build a Consortium

Develop a partnership that includes eligible organizations from the target countries with complementary expertise.

Step 3: Prepare a Concise Note

Prepare a concept proposal outlining:

Project objectives.
Target areas.
Expected results.
Partnership structure.
Alignment with programme priorities.

Step 4: Submit Through PROSPECT

Submit the Concise Note electronically through the PROSPECT system.

Submission deadline: 6 October 2026

Step 5: Full Application

Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a Full Application during the second stage of the selection process.

Selection Process

The programme follows a two-stage evaluation process.

Stage 1

Assessment of the Concise Note based on:

Relevance.
Strategic approach.
Eligibility.

Stage 2

Shortlisted applicants submit a Full Application, which is evaluated on:

Organizational capacity.
Technical quality.
Regional experience.
Cross-border expertise.
Consortium strength.
Budget quality.
Alignment with programme objectives.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

Eligibility of all partners.
Experience implementing regional programmes.
Experience in West Africa.
Operational capacity.
Technical expertise.
Quality of project design.
Consortium composition.
Human rights and gender equality commitments.
Relevance to programme objectives.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve your proposal:

Demonstrate strong cross-border partnerships.
Clearly explain the regional impact of the project.
Include measurable outcomes and indicators.
Show experience working in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Integrate gender equality and social inclusion throughout the project.
Develop realistic implementation and sustainability plans.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors:

Applying without the required consortium partners.
Failing to demonstrate cross-border experience.
Submitting projects outside the eligible geographic areas.
Providing unclear sustainability or monitoring plans.
Underestimating operational risks in fragile environments.
Missing the first-stage submission deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who is funding the Borderlands V programme?

The programme is funded by the European Commission under its regional cooperation and development framework.

What is the total funding available?

The programme has an indicative budget of EUR 25 million.

How many funding lots are available?

There are two funding lots:

Lot 1: EUR 15 million for the Mali–Guinea–Côte d’Ivoire tri-border region.
Lot 2: EUR 10 million for the Guinea–Côte d’Ivoire forest zone.

How much of the project budget can the EU finance?

The EU will fund between 70% and 95% of eligible project costs.

How long can funded projects last?

Projects must have a duration of 48 to 60 months.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, NGOs, public operators, local authorities, and international organizations established in an EU Member State or an eligible NDICI country.

What is the application deadline?

Applicants must submit a Concise Note through the PROSPECT system by 6 October 2026.

Conclusion

The European Commission Borderlands V – West Africa Call for Proposals offers a significant opportunity for experienced organizations to strengthen peace, resilience, and sustainable development across the border regions of Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, and Guinea. With EUR 25 million available for long-term regional partnerships, the programme supports innovative cross-border solutions that promote economic inclusion, improve natural resource governance, prevent conflict, and enhance security for vulnerable communities across West Africa.