Initiated by the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Action of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Business Partnership Facility is a financing tool aimed at encouraging partnerships between Luxembourg (or European) companies and partners (companies, administrations or civil society) based in developing countries, in order to set up sustainable business projects.
Implemented by LuxDev, the Luxembourg agency for development cooperation, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, the BPF provides co-financing in the form of grants that can reach up to 50% of the total project budget, up to a maximum of €200,000. Since 2020, Luxinnovation is also a partner of LuxDev in the implementation of the BPF.
Since its launch in 2016, the BPF has supported 34 projects, mostly in Africa. Among the initiatives supported are a micro-insurance system against climatic hazards through blockchain, the improvement of water resources management in the Niger River and the strengthening of the cold chain in Madagascan health centres.
The BPF has thus enabled participating companies to discover new markets while contributing to the development of the countries in which they operate.
Launch on 20 April
There will be two BPF editions in 2022: one in May and another in October. They will be presented on 20 April at a networking event organised at the Chamber of Commerce from 4pm, in the presence of Franz Fayot, Minister of the Economy and of Cooperation and Humanitarian Action.
Four eligibility criteria are required to submit an application:
– To have been in existence for at least three years at the date of signature of the co-financing agreement
– Have an average annual turnover of at least €500,000 or three times the total amount of the proposed project over the three financial years preceding the year in which the call for projects is launched
– Have at least five employees at the time of submission of the project proposal
– Be in compliance with the “de minimis” regulation.
Eligible companies interested in BPF co-financing can now submit their project by filling in the application form and submitting it by e-mail. Luxembourg companies that wish to do so can also benefit from support from Luxinnovation in the preparation of their proposals.
In addition, a new matchmaking platform connecting European companies and players from developing countries (companies, administrations or NGOs) has been set up to facilitate the creation of partnerships. Interested companies can register and present their organisations.