The goal of the Business Partnership Facility (BPF) is to support innovative projects by private enterprises involved in knowledge and technology transfer to developing countries while simultaneously contributing to the achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Established in 2016, this co-financing mechanism is administered by the Directorate of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs. It is implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourgish Agency for Development Cooperation, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Luxinnovation, and the Ministry of the Economy.
Up to €200,000 in co-financing
BPF targets Luxembourgish companies engaged in partnerships with businesses, government agencies, or representatives of civil society based in developing countries. Interested companies must meet three minimum eligibility criteria:
- Three years of existence;
- An average annual turnover of €500,000 or three times the total amount of the proposed project over the last three fiscal years;
- A workforce of five employees.
BPF co-financing can then reach up to 50% of the total project budget, with a maximum of €200,000. It falls under the category of “de Minimis” aid.
Online application form
This is the second time in 2023 a call for projects has been launched. Interested businesses have until 31 October to submit their applications. The project selection process consists of two stages:
- A pre-selection based on the application submitted through a downloadable online form.
- The submission of a detailed proposal by candidates selected at the end of the first stage and notified in January 2024.
Since its launch in 2016, the BPF has supported 39 projects implemented in 19 different countries, with an average co-financing amount of €136,000. It has enabled these businesses to explore new markets while contributing to the development of the countries in which they operate.