A new Africa-Europe initiative known as the Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) has officially launched its first call for joint applications aimed at accelerating digital innovation to tackle climate change.
The initiative is offering non-dilutive milestone-based funding between €5,000 and €250,000, along with technical support, to Africa-led consortia with proven or high-potential digital solutions that address climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
The application portal opened on 17th July 2025 and will close on 4th August 2025, with a two-stage application process involving an Expression of Interest (EOI) followed by a grant proposal submission for shortlisted candidates.
Bridging digital and green innovation between Africa and Europe
The Joint Innovation Facility (JIF) was established under the forthcoming Africa-Europe Digital Innovation Bridge (AEDIB 2.0) project and forms part of the EU Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package.
JIF is jointly developed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Finland’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs, and the European Union, and implemented by GIZ and HAUS, combining expertise in international development, innovation ecosystem building, and public sector transformation.
According to the organisers, JIF aims to bridge innovation ecosystems across Africa and Europe by supporting locally rooted, digitally enabled, climate-focused solutions.
These innovations must not only demonstrate technological promise but also scalability, commercial viability, and measurable environmental and social impact.
Who is eligible?
To apply, consortia must be led by an African entity and consist of at least two collaborating partners from different African countries or between Africa and Europe.
Projects should focus on digital innovations—especially those involving frontier technologies like AI and IoT—that can tackle issues related to climate change, smart cities, mobility, blue tech, and energy.
Eligible lead applicants can include:
- Startups (including pre-seed and seed stage)
- Small and growing businesses (SGBs)
- Larger companies
- Digital innovation hubs and support organisations
- Applied research institutes
- Civil society organisations
- Public sector institutions
Projects must originate from one of the 14 African priority countries, namely: Benin, DR Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
What selected applicants will receive
Beyond grant funding, successful applicants will gain access to the JIF Project Studio, which includes:
- Tailored mentorship from industry experts and investors
- Access to toolkits, investment readiness support, and technical advisory services
- Peer learning and networking opportunities across Africa and Europe
- Strategic visibility and alignment with Agenda 2063 and EU–Africa partnership goals
Organisers stress that all proposed projects must demonstrate measurable climate-positive outcomes in areas such as climate mitigation or resilience, while also advancing gender inclusivity and economic empowerment.
Application process and deadlines
The call follows a two-stage process:
- Stage 1: Expression of Interest (EOI) – Consortia must submit their EOI via the online form and email supporting documents to jif@giz.de. Projects that meet all eligibility requirements will proceed to a due diligence phase assessing financial, governance, and operational capacity.
- Stage 2: Full Grant Proposal Submission – Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit comprehensive proposals aligned with the JIF selection framework. The final selection will consider the applicant’s responsiveness to due diligence feedback, relevance to climate and digital goals, and potential for scale.
Two information sessions are scheduled to guide interested applicants:
- First info session: 23rd July 2025
- Second info session: 29th July 2025
Driving systemic change through joint innovation
The JIF is designed not just to support individual projects but to catalyse systemic innovation across the continent. By empowering African-led partnerships, embedding innovations regionally, and creating replicable solutions, JIF aims to transform how Africa and Europe collaborate in tackling climate change through technology.
As the climate crisis intensifies and digital transformation accelerates, initiatives like the Joint Innovation Facility represent critical steps toward building resilient, tech-enabled, and climate-conscious economies in Africa and Europe.
