The Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) has launched a new grant programme to support innovative, people-centred projects that advance the green and digital transition across selected African countries.

This initiative is designed to catalyze sustainable development, strengthen digital capacities, and promote inclusive growth, with a special focus on women’s empowerment, innovation ecosystems, and education systems.

Opportunity Overview
The funding targets organisations, institutions, and initiatives that implement transformative projects in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Uganda, and Tanzania. ESTDEV seeks projects that:

Introduce innovative solutions to address development challenges.

Advance the green transition, including climate-smart practices, renewable energy, and sustainable resource management.

Support digital transformation, enhancing digital skills, connectivity, and access to technology.

Strengthen innovation ecosystems, education systems, and capacity-building initiatives.

Promote inclusive growth, particularly for women and girls, ensuring equitable access to opportunities.

Align with national and regional development priorities to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.

Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:

Registered organisations and institutions, including NGOs, research institutes, and social enterprises.

Initiatives actively implementing projects in the countries listed above.

Projects demonstrating innovation, sustainability, inclusiveness, and long-term development impact.

Interventions with a strong focus on people-centred solutions that improve lives, livelihoods, and local capacities.

Projects that combine green and digital solutions with measurable outcomes in areas such as governance, innovation systems, and education are particularly encouraged.

Funding Details

The grant size ranges from €50,000 to €150,000 per project, offering significant support for impactful initiatives.

The programme can cover up to 95% of eligible project costs, making it accessible for mission-driven organisations with limited funding capacity.

Funded activities may include:

Green Transition projects (renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, climate-smart solutions, resource efficiency)

Digital skills development and capacity-building in technology

Governance and policy support initiatives

Innovation ecosystems strengthening, including incubators, research, and collaborative networks

Inclusive growth programs, with emphasis on women and girls’ participation, empowerment, and access to opportunities

Expected Outcomes
ESTDEV aims to support projects that:

Deliver measurable social, economic, and environmental impact.

Strengthen local innovation and knowledge ecosystems.

Improve access to digital tools and skills, fostering long-term resilience.

Promote gender equity and inclusivity in both project implementation and outcomes.

Align with regional and national priorities, contributing to sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Application Process

Applicants must submit proposals online, detailing their project concept, expected impact, budget, and implementation strategy.

Proposals should clearly demonstrate how projects will achieve measurable results in both green and digital transition sectors.

ESTDEV encourages cross-sectoral partnerships and collaboration between local and international actors.

Deadline and Contact

Application Deadline: 30 January 2026

For detailed guidelines, eligibility requirements, and submission instructions, visit the ESTDEV website [link provided in announcement].

Key Considerations for Applicants

Ensure your project is aligned with local and regional development strategies.

Demonstrate innovation in the design and implementation of your project.

Include measurable indicators for environmental, social, and digital impact.

Highlight gender inclusivity, particularly women and girls’ participation in project design and implementation.

Clearly outline your budget and cost coverage, making the case for efficiency and sustainability.

Projects with scalable or replicable potential are highly encouraged.

Why Apply?

This funding represents a unique opportunity for organisations across Southern and Eastern Africa to accelerate their green and digital initiatives. By providing substantial financial support, ESTDEV enables mission-driven actors to implement transformative projects that benefit communities, strengthen local capacities, and promote sustainable, inclusive development.

The programme reflects ESTDEV’s commitment to fostering people-centred development, supporting projects that are not only technically innovative but also socially impactful, inclusive, and sustainable. Applicants have the chance to advance their projects, build visibility, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to meaningful development outcomes across Africa.

For organisations working at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and inclusion, this grant provides a significant platform to scale efforts, test innovative approaches, and create long-lasting positive change in the region.

Next Steps

Review eligibility and project alignment

Prepare a clear, compelling project proposal

Submit the application before 30 January 2026

Successful applicants will receive grant funding between €50,000 and €150,000, enabling implementation of impactful initiatives that accelerate Africa’s green and digital transformation.

For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram

Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.

Related