The Facility Investing for Employment (IFE), implemented by KfW Development Bank on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has officially launched its 2026 Call for Proposals. This initiative is part of the Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition”, aimed at boosting sustainable employment in Africa.
The program is designed to support private sector projects that create meaningful and sustainable jobs, while also enhancing workforce skills and improving working conditions. It focuses on long-term impact, ensuring that funded projects contribute to inclusive economic growth across partner countries.
The application window is open from 15 April to 30 June 2026 (17:00 CEST).
About the Facility Investing for Employment (IFE)
The IFE is a grant-based funding mechanism focused on:
- Promoting job creation in the private sector
- Supporting economically sustainable projects
- Improving working conditions and income levels
- Enhancing skills development and training opportunities
Projects are evaluated not just on job creation but also on their broader social and economic impact, ensuring that benefits extend beyond immediate employment outcomes.
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Key Objectives of the IFE Program
Projects submitted under this call should aim to:
- Create new jobs
- Improve existing employment conditions
- Support workforce development through training
- Promote inclusive growth, especially for:
- Women
- Youth
- Align with sustainable development goals and just transition principles
Funding Components
1. Job Creation (Mandatory)
All applicants must submit projects that:
- Are financially and operationally sustainable
- Have not yet started
- Demonstrate clear job creation potential
- Include co-financing from the applicant
Projects must fall within one of IFE’s approved investment categories.
2. Training Measures (Optional – Egypt & Morocco Only)
This component supports:
- Skills development for local labor markets
- Training with potential pathways to employment in Germany
Eligible Sectors:
- Construction and related industries
- Metal and electrical industries
- Education and social services
- Food processing
- Transport and logistics
- IT sector
- Hospitality industry
- Health sector (Egypt only)
Supported Activities:
- Building or upgrading training facilities
- Technical and vocational training
- Language training programs
- Workforce upskilling aligned with market needs
Evaluation Criteria
Projects will be assessed based on:
- Number of new jobs created
- Cost per job
- Improvement in working conditions
- Number of beneficiaries trained
- Bonus points for:
- Women and youth employment
- Contribution to gender equality
- Alignment with sustainability goals
- Collaboration with German development projects
Eligibility Requirements
Individual Applicants:
- Must be a registered legal entity
- Located in Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, or Morocco
- Operational for at least 3 years
Consortia:
- Two or more legal entities
- Must be registered in:
- The project country, or
- Africa, or
- EU/EFTA countries
Application Process
The IFE uses a two-stage competitive process:
Stage 1: Concept Note Submission
- Submit via the SmartME platform
- Deadline: 30 June 2026 (17:00 CEST)
- Applications are screened and ranked based on:
- Eligibility
- KPIs
- Qualitative criteria
Stage 2: Full Project Proposal
- Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit detailed proposals
- Includes:
- Due diligence review
- Possible site visits
- Successful applicants receive a grant agreement
Important Dates
- Application Opens: 15 April 2026
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2026 (17:00 CEST)
- Questions Deadline: 15 June 2026
Support and Resources
Applicants can access:
- Guidelines for Applicants (Download Center)
- FAQ Section
- Helpdesk: helpdesk-ife@invest-for-jobs.com
- Email inquiries: cfp-ife.2026@invest-for-jobs.com
Webinars and Information Sessions
To guide applicants, IFE is hosting multiple webinars in English and French, covering:
- Program objectives
- Application requirements
- Platform walkthroughs
Sessions run from April to June 2026, with dedicated presentations for different countries and languages.
Why You Should Apply
This is a high-impact funding opportunity for organizations looking to:
- Scale their business operations
- Create sustainable employment
- Contribute to economic development
- Access international funding and partnerships
For more information about this opportunity, click here.
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