Danida Business Partnerships 2026
By Danida (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark)
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Quick Answer
Danish government grants of up to DKK 15 million (about ₹19.5 crore) for business-led partnerships that create jobs and incomes in developing countries, India included. Call closes 6 Nov 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Application deadline
- 1d — 6 Nov 2026
- Location
- International
About this grant
Business Partnerships is a challenge fund of Denmark's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, paid for from Danish development aid. It backs partnerships between companies and non-commercial organisations that build a viable business in a developing country while creating decent jobs and incomes. Grants go up to DKK 15 million (about ₹19.5 crore). This listing is for the 2026 call, which closes on 6 November 2026 at 1 PM Danish time, and the next call is planned for spring 2027.
What the program offers
The fund has windows for businesses at different levels of maturity. The Maturation window gives DKK 0.8–1.5 million (about ₹1.04–1.95 crore) over 18 months for early business cases that need development and partnership design. The Full window gives DKK 4–15 million (about ₹5.2–19.5 crore) over three to five years for mature, implementation-ready business cases. The official page also names an Acceleration window of up to DKK 1 million over two years; the listing says that window is not open in 2026, so confirm with the fund manager.
The earlier listing text adds that the grant can cover up to 75% of the project budget, that commercial partners pay at least 25% in cash or in kind, and that the part of the grant a company receives is capped under EU de minimis rules. The official page re-read for this listing does not repeat these points, so check them in the guidelines.
Who can apply
Each partnership applies as a consortium with at least one international commercial partner, one non-commercial partner and one local partner. Projects must be in an eligible country, meaning an OECD DAC country where Denmark has a representation. The listing states that India is one of the eligible countries and that up to three new projects per country can be approved each year.
For an Indian applicant, the realistic route is to join as the local partner, a company or non-profit registered in India, or as the non-commercial partner if you are an NGO. The earlier listing text says the lead commercial partner must be international, from a country not on the ODA list, or a local subsidiary or majority-owned affiliate of such a company. It suits established businesses with a real commercial case and foreign partners. It does not suit a solo startup without an international commercial partner.
How to apply
- Build your consortium: an international lead company, a non-commercial partner and a local partner.
- Read the E2 Guidelines for the 2026 call.
- Complete the E2 Application Format and attach the required annexes. The listing mentions registration certificates, audited accounts for two years and references, and signatures from all partners.
- Submit before the deadline of 6 November 2026, 1 PM Danish time.
- Contact the external fund manager with questions; the official page says the fund manager gives guidance on applying.
A practical tip: with the deadline days away, check the guidelines first for every mandatory requirement, because the listing says applications are screened against these before being scored.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The earlier listing text says the fund manager first checks eligibility and tells rejected applicants within about a month. Eligible applications are scored against published criteria and applicants hear within about three months. The best are interviewed, and successful ones receive preliminary approval and four to six months to prepare a full project document, which is the basis of final approval. The official page confirms a strong and viable business case is a core requirement but does not give these timings.
About the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs fund
Business Partnerships operates as a challenge fund with two calls a year, run by an external fund manager for the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It supports sustainable, inclusive growth and decent job creation in developing countries.
Things to check before you apply
- The deadline is very close, and building a consortium with an international lead company takes time.
- A strong, viable business case is a core requirement.
- Commercial partners must contribute a share of the budget, according to the listing, so check what that means for your co-funding.
- The lead company's size and financial requirements in the listing should be checked against the guidelines.
- If you miss this call, the next one is planned for spring 2027.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
Benefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
What You Get
The grant covers up to 75% of the partnership budget. Maturation projects can get DKK 0.8–1.5 million (about ₹1.04–1.95 crore) over 18 months; full projects DKK 4–15 million (about ₹5.2–19.5 crore) over 3–5 years. Non-commercial and local partners can be paid for staff, travel and other project work; commercial partners can be paid for things such as feasibility studies and training, up to the EU de minimis ceiling of EUR 300,000 over a rolling three years. Approved partnerships can also get up to 75% of the cost of preparing the full project document, within the overall grant.
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The fund manager checks each application against the mandatory requirements, scores eligible ones against published criteria and interviews the best. Successful partnerships receive preliminary approval and time to prepare a full project document, which is the basis for final approval. The timings come from the earlier listing text.
Application Process
- 1
Form a consortium
Team up with an international lead company, a non-commercial partner and a local partner.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Indian startups apply for Danida Business Partnerships?
An Indian company or NGO can join a consortium as the local partner, and an NGO can be the non-commercial partner. The lead commercial partner must be international. A startup working alone cannot apply without that consortium.
Who can apply for Danida Business Partnerships 2026?
A consortium with at least one international commercial partner, one non-commercial partner and one local partner. The project must be in an eligible OECD DAC country with Danish representation. A strong and viable business case is a core requirement.
How much can we get from Danida Business Partnerships?
The Maturation window gives DKK 0.8–1.5 million (about ₹1.04–1.95 crore) and the Full window gives DKK 4–15 million (about ₹5.2–19.5 crore). The earlier listing text says the grant covers up to 75% of the project budget.
How is the Danida Business Partnerships grant paid?
The source we re-read does not describe payment terms. Successful partnerships first receive preliminary approval and then prepare a full project document before final approval, according to the earlier listing text.
What is the deadline for Danida Business Partnerships, and what if it has passed?
The 2026 call closes on 6 November 2026 at 1 PM Danish time. If you miss it, the official page says the next call is planned for spring 2027.
Is Danida Business Partnerships a grant or equity?
It is a grant from the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the source describes no equity being taken. Commercial partners are expected to contribute their own share of the project budget.
What documents do I need for Danida Business Partnerships?
You need the E2 Application Format completed in full, plus annexes. The earlier listing text names registration certificates, audited accounts for two years and references, signed by all partners. Check the E2 Guidelines for the full list.
Do I have to travel for Danida Business Partnerships?
The source does not mention travel. Applications are submitted by the consortium, and the best applicants are interviewed, but the source does not say where or how.
Is it free to apply to Danida Business Partnerships?
The source does not mention an application fee. Ask the external fund manager if you are unsure.
When are the Danida Business Partnerships results announced?
The earlier listing text says rejected applicants hear within about a month and others within about three months. The official page we re-read gives no result dates.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
