Deadline: 20-May-2026
The International Cooperation Social Innovation Grant provides up to €50,000 to support projects that reduce poverty and inequality in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It funds initiatives in entrepreneurship, health, and education using community-driven innovation approaches. Eligible applicants are non-profits based in Spain or Portugal with international development experience and local partners.
What is the Social Innovation Grant?
The International Cooperation Social Innovation Grant supports projects that use innovative, community-driven approaches to address poverty and inequality in developing regions.
The program funds initiatives that create sustainable development opportunities through economic, health, and education interventions.
Grant Value and Duration
Funding Support
- Up to €50,000 per project
Project Duration
- Maximum 18 months
Key Focus Areas
1. Socioeconomic Development & Entrepreneurship
- Strengthening local economic systems
- Supporting business creation and startups
- Promoting entrepreneurship
- Skills training and employment generation
2. Community Health & Wellbeing
- Improving primary healthcare services
- Maternal and child health programs
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Access to safe drinking water and sanitation
- Training healthcare workers
3. Education & Training
- Innovative learning initiatives
- Technical and vocational education
- Skills development for employment
Key Concepts Explained
Social Innovation
A problem-solving approach that uses new ideas, methods, and collaborations to address social challenges effectively and sustainably.
Co-Creation
Working directly with communities to design solutions together, ensuring relevance and ownership.
Prototyping and Scaling
- Prototyping: Testing small-scale solutions
- Scaling: Expanding successful models to reach more people
Community-Driven Development
Empowering local communities to lead and participate in development initiatives.
Who is Eligible?
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
Eligible Organisations
- Non-profit entities
- Social economy organisations such as:
- Foundations
- Associations
- Cooperatives
Registration Requirements
- Legally registered in Spain or Portugal
Additional Requirements
- Annual income of less than €2 million (2025)
- At least 3 years of experience in international cooperation
- Must have a local partner in the target country
Geographic Focus
Projects must be implemented in:
- Africa
- Asia
- Latin America
Targeting vulnerable and underserved communities
Why This Grant Matters
- Supports innovative solutions to global inequality
- Encourages community participation and ownership
- Promotes sustainable and scalable development models
- Strengthens local economies and social systems
- Builds long-term impact in health, education, and livelihoods
How to Apply / How It Works
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify a development challenge in a target region
- Partner with a local organization
- Design a social innovation project using:
- Community input
- Prototyping and testing
- Prepare a detailed proposal
- Submit the application through the official platform
What to Include in Your Proposal
- Project concept and objectives
- Target community and geographic area
- Social innovation approach (co-creation, scaling)
- Implementation plan and timeline (up to 18 months)
- Budget (within €50,000 limit)
- Details of local partner collaboration
- Expected outcomes and impact
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly demonstrate community involvement
- Show how your solution is innovative and scalable
- Provide evidence of past experience
- Highlight strong local partnerships
- Include measurable impact indicators
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak or unclear local partner involvement
- Lack of innovation in project design
- Overly ambitious or unrealistic project scope
- Missing documentation on experience or eligibility
- Poor alignment with focus areas
FAQs
1. What is the maximum funding available?
Up to €50,000 per project.
2. Who can apply for this grant?
Non-profit and social economy organisations registered in Spain or Portugal.
3. Is a local partner required?
Yes, applicants must collaborate with a local partner in the project country.
4. What regions are targeted?
Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
5. What is the project duration?
Up to 18 months.
6. What sectors are supported?
Entrepreneurship, health, education, and community development.
7. What makes a strong application?
Innovation, community involvement, scalability, and proven experience.
Conclusion
The International Cooperation Social Innovation Grant is a valuable opportunity for organisations to implement innovative, community-led solutions that tackle poverty and inequality globally. With funding, structured support, and a focus on sustainability, the program enables impactful initiatives that drive long-term social and economic change.
For more information, visit ”la Caixa” Foundation.
