Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Fund. 2026 Call for Applications under the Business Partnerships Programme in Developing Countries – K2

Please note: annexes to the project application and other non-relevant information should not be submitted together with the Business Idea Concept. If submitted at Stage 1, such documents will not be evaluated.

Goals of the Business Partnership Programme in Developing Countries

• to promote business partnerships between companies in Lithuania and developing countries;
• to contribute to the development of developing countries and global sustainable economic development, economic growth, and resilience building;
• to promote the transfer of innovative technologies and knowledge, invest, and create sustainable, high-value-added jobs;
• to facilitate companies’ access to international funding sources.

Stages of Business Partnership Development eligible for funding (please see more information in Funding Terms and Conditions):

• the search for business partners and the development of a partnership model (maximum possible financing from the Fund’s resources – up to EUR 15,000);
• feasibility studies (maximum possible financing from the Fund’s resources – up to EUR 100,000);
• the preparation of a business plan (maximum possible financing from the Fund’s resources – up to EUR 100,000);
• environmental and social impact studies (maximum possible financing from the Fund’s resources – up to EUR 150,000);
• the development, implementation and expansion of innovations (maximum possible financing from the Fund’s resources – up to EUR 300,000);
• pilot (demonstration) projects in developing countries (maximum possible financing from the Fund’s resources – up to EUR 300,000);
• the training of local workers and strengthening of their competences (where related to investment and jobs created in developing countries), (maximum possible financing from the Fund’s resources – up to EUR 100,000);
• the expansion of a business operating in developing countries with the aim of directly contributing to sustainable economic development and strengthening resilience through investment or infrastructure projects (maximum possible financing from the Fund’s resources – up to EUR 300,000).

Maximum funding intensity:

• for small and medium-sized enterprises – up to 70 percent of eligible project costs;
• for large enterprises – up to 50 percent of eligible project costs.

Projects may be awarded funding of up to EUR 300,000.

Applications may be submitted by:

• companies registered in the Republic of Lithuania (as lead applicants), companies registered in developing countries – as project partners;
• consortia involving a Lithuanian company together with companies registered in developing countries;
• non-governmental organisations, research and educational institutions registered in the Republic of Lithuania (as lead applicants), which cooperate with business enterprises and are oriented toward commercial activities, and organisations or companies registered in developing countries – as project partners;
• Applicants (Project implementers) and partners must be registered and carry out activities in accordance with applicable legislation for no less than 3 years (the requirement of 3 years of operation does not apply to start-ups developing innovative products and services);
• Meeting other requirements stated in the Funding Terms and Conditions.

Project implementation period

The duration of the implementation of project activities may be from 4 to 24 months, i.e.:

• No longer than 12 months, when the total value of the entire project is less than or equal to EUR 50,000;
• No longer than 24 months, when the total value of the entire project is more than EUR 50,000.

Stage 2 – Submission of the project application

After the submitted business idea concepts have been evaluated, applicants whose concepts are selected (i.e. those passed to the second stage) will be invited to submit a full project application.

The project application must be completed in Lithuanian through the electronic application submission system ‘Submittable’. The link will be shared only with applicants invited to the second stage. The project application must be accompanied by the annexes specified in the Funding Terms and Conditions.

Please note: annexes to the project application and other non-relevant information should not be submitted together with the Business Idea Concept. If submitted at Stage 1, such documents will not be evaluated.