Estonia Opens €600,000 Funding Call for Development Projects in Kenya and Five African Countries

Deadline: 30 January 2026

The Estonian Centre for International Development Cooperation (ESTDEV) has opened a €600,000 funding call to support high-impact development projects in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda, targeting innovation, education, digital governance and gender equality.

The funding round aligns with Estonia’s Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Strategy 2024–2030 and aims to promote inclusive and sustainable development by strengthening innovation ecosystems, advancing digital transformation, improving education systems and empowering women and girls. Projects are expected to contribute to both the digital and green transitions while building long-term institutional and human capacity.

Applicants must align their proposals with one of four thematic areas, each allocated €150,000. The themes include strengthening innovation ecosystems and entrepreneurship, advancing education reform and digital skills, promoting people-centred e-governance and cyber capacity, and enhancing the participation of women and girls in digital and STEM fields, with a particular focus on Kenya and Uganda.

Grants range from €50,000 to €100,000, or up to €150,000 for projects that include scholarship components. The maximum grant rate is 95 per cent, with a minimum 5 per cent self-financing requirement. Scholarship activities, where included, must be directly linked to project objectives and may cover training, internships, study programmes, travel and mentoring costs.

Projects must run between 1 January 2026 and 31 October 2027, with implementation starting no later than 1 March 2026. Eligible applicants include organisations with proven capacity in development cooperation, innovation, education, digital governance or gender equality, with partnerships between Estonian and local organisations strongly encouraged.

Applications must be submitted through the official system by 30 January 2026.  Visit