Grant Awards and Technical Assistance Provision for Circular Economy Businesses

Deadline: 16-Mar-2026

The SWITCH-2-CE in ESA programme has launched a Call for Projects aimed at enhancing access to finance and technical assistance for businesses in the plastics, packaging, and e-waste value chains across East and Southern Africa. This initiative seeks to foster an inclusive transition to a circular economy in the region, focusing on policy reform, skills development, and private sector investment.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants for the Call for Projects must meet the following criteria:

• Legal entities established in one of the targeted East and Southern Africa countries (including Kenya), or organizations outside these countries applying in partnership with at least one local organization.

• Entrepreneurial Support Organisations such as:

  • Incubators

  • Accelerators

  • Venture builders

  • Grant-managing organisations

• Organizations must demonstrate:

  • Operational and financial capacity to manage grant funds and deliver technical assistance to multiple beneficiaries.

  • Proven experience in managing donor-funded programmes and providing structured business support, especially in the context of circular economy initiatives.

  • Experience supporting women-owned and women-led enterprises with gender-responsive approaches.

Why It Matters

The SWITCH-2-CE in ESA programme is a regional initiative co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It aims to address the barriers preventing the large-scale adoption of circular economy solutions in the region, particularly those related to access to finance and technical support. The programme provides critical assistance to start-ups and MSMEs by offering targeted grants and technical support, with a strong emphasis on inclusive entrepreneurship and gender equality.

Funding Details

• Total Available Funding: €6,000,000

  • Lot 1 – Innovation: €1,000,000 allocated, grants ranging from €200,000 to €500,000.

  • Lot 2 – Scaling: €5,000,000 allocated, grants ranging from €500,000 to €2,500,000.

Programme Focus

1. Lot 1 – Innovation: Supports early or pre-seed stage circular economy solutions that need help to develop, test, and validate innovative business models and products. This lot focuses on fostering new ideas in the circular economy sector.

2. Lot 2 – Scaling: Targets post-revenue growth or seed-stage start-ups and MSMEs that aim to scale their operations, consolidate their business, and become investment-ready. This lot focuses on scaling innovative solutions and preparing businesses for long-term financial sustainability.

Application Process

1. Eligibility Check: Ensure that your organization is a legal entity based in the targeted regions or partnered with a local entity, and operates as an Entrepreneurial Support Organisation.

2. Prepare Your Application: Depending on whether you are applying for Lot 1 or Lot 2, your application should focus on either developing and testing new circular economy models (Innovation) or scaling existing operations (Scaling).

3. Submit Your Proposal: Applicants must demonstrate their ability to manage grant funding, provide technical assistance, and support women-led businesses in a gender-responsive manner.

Common Mistakes and Tips

• Unclear Business Model: Ensure that your application clearly defines the circular economy business model and demonstrates its scalability and innovation.

• Lack of Gender-Responsive Approach: Emphasize your experience working with women-led enterprises and include gender-sensitive strategies.

• Failure to Align with Programme Priorities: Clearly articulate how your project aligns with the SWITCH-2-CE in ESA objectives, especially the focus on access to finance, policy reform, and inclusive entrepreneurship.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the purpose of the SWITCH-2-CE in ESA programme?

   • The programme supports circular economy businesses in East and Southern Africa, focusing on plastics, packaging, and e-waste value chains to enhance access to finance and technical assistance.

2. What types of organizations can apply?

   • Entrepreneurial Support Organisations, such as incubators, accelerators, and grant-managing organisations that support circular economy businesses and are capable of managing donor-funded projects.

3. What is the maximum grant amount available?

   • Grants range from €200,000 to €500,000 for Lot 1 – Innovation and from €500,000 to €2,500,000 for Lot 2 – Scaling.

4. What criteria will be used to evaluate applications?

   • Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with the programme’s goals, demonstrated experience, capacity to deliver support, and the focus on inclusive entrepreneurship, especially for women-led businesses.

5. Can organizations outside East and Southern Africa apply?

   • Yes, organizations outside the region can apply in partnership with at least one local organization.

Conclusion

The SWITCH-2-CE in ESA programme provides a unique opportunity for Entrepreneurial Support Organisations to strengthen the circular economy in East and Southern Africa. By offering grants and technical assistance, this programme supports start-ups and MSMEs working in the plastics, packaging, and e-waste value chains, with a strong focus on innovation, scaling, and inclusive entrepreneurship. If your organization can support circular economy businesses, particularly women-led enterprises, this funding could provide the resources needed to drive impactful sustainability and economic growth in the region.

For more information, visit Expertise France SAS.