The Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation has opened a €600,000 funding round to support development projects in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda. The call focuses on innovation ecosystems, education and digital skills, people-centred e-governance, and the empowerment of women and girls, with applications due by 30 January 2026.

The Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation has announced a new application round to support sustainable development initiatives in selected African partner countries. The programme prioritises innovation, digital transformation, education reform, good governance, and gender equality, aligning with Estonia’s Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Strategy 2024–2030.

Overall Objective of the Call

The primary objective of this funding call is to promote inclusive and sustainable development by supporting systemic change in education, strengthening innovation ecosystems, advancing digital governance, and empowering women and girls. Projects are expected to contribute to the twin transitions, digital and green, while building long-term institutional and human capacity in partner countries.

Eligible Target Countries

Projects must focus on one or more of the following countries:
• Botswana
• Kenya
• Namibia
• Zambia
• Tanzania
• Uganda

Thematic Priority Areas

Applications must align with one of the defined thematic areas, each with a dedicated budget allocation.

Theme 1: Innovation Ecosystems and Twin Transitions

This theme focuses on strengthening innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems, particularly in Zambia and Uganda. Activities should support sustainable operating models for innovation support organisations and foster cross-border entrepreneurship.
Key focus areas include:
• Capacity-building for innovation and entrepreneurship support organisations
• Development of innovative digital solutions supporting the green transition
• Creation of enabling environments for innovation and cross-border collaboration
• Cooperation between Estonian and local partner organisations

Theme 2: Education System Development and Digital Skills

This theme supports systemic change in education systems across partner countries. Activities should improve learning outcomes and relevance to labour market needs.
Supported actions include:
• Improving teaching quality and educational leadership
• Curriculum renewal using competency-based and learner-centred approaches
• Modernisation of teaching methods
• Strengthening education–labour market links through partnerships
• Promoting practical and entrepreneurial learning

Theme 3: People-Centred E-Governance and Cyber-Intelligence

This theme promotes good governance through human-centric digital solutions and secure digital services.
Priority activities include:
• Development of public sector digital leadership and change management capacity
• Smart use of artificial intelligence in public services
• Strengthening cyber capacity for secure digital governance
• Increasing cyber literacy
• Promoting public–private cooperation in e-solutions and AI implementation

Theme 4: Empowerment of Women and Girls in Digital and STEM Fields

Targeting Kenya and Uganda, this theme focuses on gender equality in digital transformation and technology sectors.
Key interventions include:
• Developing leadership and digital competencies of women
• Promoting equal access to STEM education for girls
• Encouraging women’s participation in IT and technology sectors
• Strengthening women’s role in digital policy design
• Supporting girls’ interest in science and technology through in-school and out-of-school initiatives

Available Funding and Grant Size

The total estimated budget for this application round is €600,000, allocated equally across the four themes.
• Budget per thematic area: €150,000
• Minimum grant per project: €50,000
• Maximum grant per project: €100,000
• Maximum grant including scholarships: €150,000
• Maximum grant rate: 95%
• Minimum self-financing requirement: 5% of eligible costs

Scholarship Activities: What Is Allowed

Projects may include scholarship components if they are directly linked to project objectives and country development needs.
Eligible scholarship formats include:
• Continuing education
• Short-term training
• Study or internship programmes
• Learning modules supporting mentoring or knowledge transfer

Eligible Scholarship Costs

The following costs may be covered under the scholarship component:
• Tuition or training fees based on official price lists
• Travel and living expenses of participants
• Visa and insurance costs
• Organisational and mentoring costs, up to 5% of the total scholarship budget

Requirements for Scholarship Components

Scholarship activities must meet strict relevance and quality criteria.
• Must directly support the overall project objective
• Must strengthen competencies of project beneficiaries
• Curriculum must define clear learning outcomes
• Programme design must align with the development needs of the target country
• Studies may take place in Estonia, the target country, or via e-learning, depending on relevance

Eligibility and Compliance Requirements

All projects must:
• Comply with OECD ODA eligibility criteria
• Align with Estonia’s Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Strategy 2024–2030
• Be implemented within the approved eligibility period

Project Duration and Eligibility Period

• Eligible project period: 1 January 2026 to 31 October 2027
• Projects must start no later than 1 March 2026

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants typically include organisations with demonstrated capacity in development cooperation, innovation, education, digital governance, or gender equality. Partnerships between Estonian organisations and local partners in target countries are strongly encouraged, particularly under the innovation ecosystem theme.

Why This Funding Call Matters

This call addresses critical development challenges by combining innovation, education reform, digital governance, and gender equality. By supporting systemic change and skills development, the programme contributes to sustainable growth, improved public services, and inclusive participation in the digital economy across partner countries.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a project proposal aligned with one thematic area and submit it within the official application system by the stated deadline. Proposals should clearly define objectives, activities, budget, partnerships, and expected development impact.

Key Dates

Application deadline: 30 January 2026
Latest project start date: 1 March 2026

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting proposals that do not clearly fit one thematic area
• Insufficient linkage between scholarship activities and project objectives
• Missing self-financing contribution
• Weak alignment with target country development needs

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the total budget of this call?
The total budget is €600,000, with €150,000 allocated to each thematic area.
How much funding can one project receive?
Projects can request between €50,000 and €100,000, or up to €150,000 if scholarship activities are included.
Are scholarship activities mandatory?
No, scholarship activities are optional but must be clearly justified if included.
Which countries are eligible?
Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
When must projects start?
Projects must start no later than 1 March 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline for submitting applications is 30 January 2026.

Conclusion

The Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation funding call offers a significant opportunity to implement high-impact development projects across Africa. By focusing on innovation, education, digital governance, and the empowerment of women and girls, the programme supports long-term, inclusive development outcomes aligned with international and national cooperation priorities.

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