Business Partnership Facility
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Summary:
The Business Partnership Facility (BPF) can support your business in developing a partnership with an entity located in a developing country, with a view to implementing an innovative, high-impact business development project.
The Business Partnership Facility (BPF) is an initiative of Luxembourg's Directorate for Development Cooperation (Coopération luxembourgeoise), implemented through the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency, LuxDev. It was set up to support partnerships between:
- Luxembourg or EU-based businesses; and
- entities (businesses, NGOs, public entities) located in developing countries;
- around innovative business development projects that contribute to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The BPF can support projects at different stages of maturity. For example, support can be provided to:
- conduct technical or business feasibility studies;
- launch a pilot project; or
- roll out a solution in a new market.
Through a twice-yearly call for projects, Luxembourg and EU-based businesses can secure a cofinancing grant to cover up to 50% of their project costs, with a cap set at EUR 200,000.
Who is concerned
Luxembourg and EU-based businesses:
- that have been registered for more than 3 years;
- with an annual turnover of at least EUR 500,000 (or 3 times the requested cofinancing amount); and
- with at least 5 employees.
At the very least, the partnership must be established between one lead partner and a local partner.
The lead partner must be a Luxembourg or EU-based private-sector business that:
- has filed an application for BPF cofinancing;
- coordinates the project on behalf of other partners; and
- has signed a cofinancing agreement.
The local partner must be based in a developing country that is eligible for public development aid, as defined by the Development Aid Committee (Comité d’aide au développement), and may be:
- a public or private entity;
- a university;
- a research institution; or
- a civil-society organisation.
The local partner must be involved in the project from the outset.
The call for projects is open to all sectors of activity, as long as the projects contribute to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Deadlines
The BPF runs 2 selection rounds every year, and the application deadlines are 30 April and 31 October.
The interval between the date on which the application is filed and launch of the selected project's initial activities is approximately 10 months.
How to proceed
Selection process
Applicants will be required to undergo a multi-stage selection process, which culminates with the effective implementation of the project.
Stage 1: Call for projects
Applicants must submit a concept note using an online application form. The concept note should include key details about:
- the partners involved in the project;
- the nature of the partnership; and
- the initial project idea.
Pre-selection phase
Applications are first sorted according to eligibility criteria. They are then assessed and pre-selected according to the selection criteria.
Stage 2: Detailed proposal
If your project is pre-selected, you and your partners will be invited to submit a detailed comprehensive project proposal approximately 5 months after the initial application deadline.
The proposal should include:
- a detailed presentation of the project;
- a budget;
- a business case;
- a business plan; and
- a results chain that is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Selection phase
Once you have submitted your detailed project proposal, you and your partners will be invited to present your project to the Selection Committee. Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A session.
Formalisation of the cofinancing agreement and implementation of the project
The LuxDev team will work closely with the project partners to establish a set of monitoring indicators that will form the basis for regular project monitoring and evaluation.
The cofinancing agreement between the lead partner and LuxDev will be signed within a few months of the close of the selection process.
Regular monitoring and evaluation will commence once the project is launched.
Cofinancing amount
The selected partnerships can secure a cofinancing grant:
- of up to EUR 200,000; and
- covering up to 50% of the proposed project's overall budget.
The cofinancing grant is considered as aid under the EU's 'de minimis' regulation.
Open calls for projects
View a list of open calls for projects.
Who to contact
Related procedures and links
Links
Further information
on luxAidBusiness4Impact.lu website
