Climate Impact Fund

There is significant opportunity for Africa to follow a green growth trajectory, developing existing or new industries and technologies, and new jobs. 

The Climate Impact Challenge Fund is focused on supporting SMEs to unlock enterprise growth for the purpose of catalyzing, scaling-up and sustaining the creation of dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young women and men with limited financial means, including young people with disabilities and refugee youth. 

Women-led businesses are especially encouraged to apply.

Indicative sectors of focus for the challenge

The Climate Impact Challenge Fund broadly covers any climate opportunity that is capable of work creation opportunities for young people. SMEs working in the below indicative areas, or any other parts of the climate value chain are encouraged to apply.

Focus Countries of the challenge

The countries of focus of the Fund and the Climate Impact Challenge Fund are Benin, Burundi, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Eligibility criteria for the challenge

SME applicants will be expected to demonstrate how their business activities support green growth and positive climate impact leading to the creation of dignified and fulfilling work for young women and men with limited financial means, including young people living with disabilities and refugee youth. 

The applications may include explanations of facilitating the net zero transition, reducing climate risks, deploying green technologies, expanding green value chains, reducing waste or offering nature-based solutions to climate change, among other potential contributions.

The applicant must demonstrate that the SME is:

• Involved in climate impact
• An existing for-profit Small or Medium sized Enterprise.
• Legally registered and operational for at least three years.
• Operating in at least one of the 20 focus countries of the Fund in Africa.
• Providing matching contribution of at least 30% of the total project cost.
• An innovative, practical, and scalable businesses that aims to create work opportunities for young women and men with limited financial means, including young people with disabilities or refugee youth. 
• Adhering to fundamental human rights, labour standards, and environmental management laws, both nationally and internationally, including seed laws/policy.
• Not involved in acts of terrorism or supporting terrorist activities.

Women-led SMEs are encouraged to apply if their business meets the Climate Impact Challenge Fund eligibility criteria.

Timelines for the challenge

The Climate Impact Challenge Fund will have two application rounds with each round open for 16 weeks. Harvests, or collection of applications, will be assessed after each application round.