CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: AGRIBUSINESS PRODUCT INNOVATION SUPPORT 2026
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: AGRIBUSINESS PRODUCT INNOVATION SUPPORT 2026
Organiser: Value Chain for Agribusiness, Climate and Employment (VACE) Project
Implementing Organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Co-funded by: European Union (EU)
Application Deadline: 27 October 2026
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
The VACE Project is inviting agribusiness SMEs, food processors, and product innovators to apply for support to develop and launch innovative products using dairy, cocoa, and their by-products.
The initiative aims to strengthen local processing and value addition, expand businesses, create jobs, increase incomes, and promote sustainable agribusiness practices.
WHY SHOULD YOU APPLY?
Selected applicants will benefit from:
- Technical Support: Assistance in developing and launching new products.
- Business Development Support: Guidance to strengthen products and improve business performance.
- Market Exhibition Opportunities: A chance to showcase new products to potential buyers and customers.
- Future Collaboration: Opportunities to work with the project on product development, monitoring, and evaluation.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applications are open to eligible small and medium-sized agribusinesses, food processors, and product innovators working in areas such as:
- Dairy and cocoa processing
- Food and beverages
- Bakery and pastry
- Agrifood processing
- Cosmetics
- Health and wellness
- Nutraceuticals
- Other value-added industries using dairy, cocoa, or their by-products
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants should:
- Have experience in dairy or cocoa processing, food production, or a related value-added industry.
- Be willing to develop and launch at least one new product using dairy, cocoa, or their by-products.
- Have an existing product or a plan for developing an innovative product or improving an existing one.
- Operate a legally recognised business, with valid registration and permits, or provide evidence of an ongoing registration process.
- Have at least one existing marketing channel, such as social media, direct orders, retail outlets, supermarkets, or other sales channels.
- Be willing to share the product recipe and collaborate with the project on future monitoring and evaluation activities.
- Demonstrate a willingness to innovate, improve production, and expand market opportunities.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified businesses should prepare a detailed proposal explaining their product idea and submit it by email.
📧 Application Email: flora.asibe@giz.de
📄 Download the Concept Note:
VACE Product Innovation Concept Note
Applicants are encouraged to review the concept note carefully for the full application requirements before submitting their proposals.
📅 DEADLINE: 27 OCTOBER 2026
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The project will provide technical assistance and business development support to selected processors and product innovators and organise market exhibitions to showcase their products.
This is an opportunity for agribusiness entrepreneurs to improve existing products, introduce innovative offerings, strengthen their businesses, and expand their customer base.
Have a dairy- or cocoa-based product idea? Take the next step towards bringing it to market!
