As of today, Orange Corners welcomes applications from potential implementing partners to run the Orange Corners training programme (2026-2031) and the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (2026-2033) in Benin.
The Orange Corners subsidy programmes
The Orange Corners subsidy programmes provide funding for:
- An Orange Corners training programme (OCIAC): an entrepreneurial training programme (incubation/acceleration) and related activities for young people (aged 18-35), such as mentorship, business development services, masterclasses, workshops and all related administrative and programme management needs to run such activities
- An Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF): an access to finance mechanism and related activities, such as technical assistance
The procedure
To apply for the subsidies, there are two steps:
- A mandatory quick scan, or short proposal. The Orange Corners programme advisors for Benin 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 two weeks before the deadline for full proposals, as the review of the quick scan can take up to two weeks.
- A full proposal.
Key dates
- 22 April 2026: Opening subsidy programmes
- 22 April – 21 May 2026, 23:59 CEST: Quick scans phase
- 4 May – 4 June 2026, 23:59 CEST: Full proposals phase
The key dates are the same for both subsidy programmes. Applicants will hear about the results of their full application within 13 weeks after the full proposal application deadline.
Criteria Orange Corners training programme (OCIAC)
- Only one applicant will be awarded a subsidy.
- A maximum of €750,000 is available for the period 2026-2031. The subsidy will cover a maximum of 75% of the total project costs.
- The subsidy programme is open to local businesses and local civil society organisations registered in the target location.
- Applicants must have experience in developing and managing entrepreneurial training programmes (incubation/acceleration), project management, marketing & communication, acquisition, networking and project-related monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting.
Criteria Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF)
- Only one applicant will be awarded a subsidy.
- A budget of €2.2 million is available for the period 2026-2033. This subsidy will cover 95% of the budget. The implementing partner is expected to contribute the remaining 5%.
- 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.
Potential implementing partners can choose to apply for one of the subsidies only or both.
More information
More details about the Orange Corners training programme (OCIAC) subsidy programme, application procedure and requirements for interested parties can be found here. Dates, procedures and criteria found on that page are leading.
More details about the Orange Corners Innovation Fund (OCIF) 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 programmes, please reach out to us via [email protected] (OCIAC/training programme) or [email protected] (OCIF).
About us
Orange Corners is 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. We support our implementing partners to run successful training, incubation and acceleration programmes and access to finance mechanisms from our HQ in The Hague.
