Coming up: second round OCIF subsidy programme

Our team is currently busy reviewing applications submitted for the first round of the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) subsidy programme. As we near the end of this process, this also means we are almost ready to open the second part of the subsidy programme. Between 12 February and 1 April, we will be welcoming proposals from potential implementing partners to run OCIF in Senegal, Jordan, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, Algeria and the Palestinian Territories between 2024 and 2030.

OCIF

OCIF is an add-on to the Orange Corners incubation and acceleration programmes. This access to finance instrument provides Orange Corners entrepreneurs with their first seed funding, allowing them to truly develop their idea into a product or proposition ready to enter the market. OCIF is currently available in 9 countries or regions. With this subsidy programme, we also extend and expand OCIF to 12 new countries.

The procedure

Initially, the programme is open for 21 countries and regions. Phase 1 closed in November 2023.

Phase 2 (12 February – 1 April 2024): Senegal, Jordan, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, Algeria and the Palestinian Territories.

Phase 3 (6 May – 17 June 2024): Bangladesh, Mali, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, Burundi, Iraq proper and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

To apply for the subsidy, there are two steps:

  • A mandatory quick scan, or short proposal. The OCIF team will review it, and give a non-binding recommendation on whether to submit a full proposal. This mandatory quick scan needs to be submitted at least three weeks before the deadline for full proposals.
  • A full proposal.

Key dates

18 September: Opening OCIF subsidy programme
18 September – 11 March 2024: Quick scans phase 2
12 February – 1 April 2024: Full proposals phase 2
18 September – 27 May 2024: Quick scans phase 3
6 May – 17 June 2024: Full proposals phase 3

Applicants will hear about the results of their full application within 13 weeks after the full proposal application deadline. The grant agreement for phase 2 is planned in June 2024 and for phase 3 in August 2024.

Criteria

  • The subsidy programme is open to NGOs and private companies that are experienced with fund management and are allowed by the relevant in-country authority to provide (interest free) loans.
  • For each target location, only one applicant will be awarded a subsidy.
  • For each target location, €2.2 million is available for the period 2024-2030. This subsidy will cover 95% of the budget. The implementing partner is expected to contribute the remaining 5%.

    Consortia are also invited to apply and applying in more than one country is also possible. 

Information sessions

Our OCIF team will be available to answer all your questions during three seperate information rounds.

OCIF information session round 2: 14 February 2024, 11.00-12.00 Dutch time via MS Teams. Register here.

More information

More details about the subsidy programme, application procedure and requirements for interested parties can be found here. Dates, procedures and criteria found on that page are leading.

We are looking forward to reading your proposals and recommend you to apply well before the above-mentioned deadlines. If you have any questions regarding the subsidy programme, please reach out to the OCIF team via [email protected].

About us

Orange Corners and the Orange Corners Innovation Fund are managed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) on behalf of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with local embassies and consulates of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. From our HQ in The Hague, we work with local partners to strengthen ecosystems for young entrepreneurs in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

Kingdom of the Netherlands