develoPPP Classic Grant (BMZ)
By German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
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Quick Answer
German development ministry funding of EUR 100,000–2 million (about ₹1.09–21.8 crore), up to half the cost, for established companies' sustainable projects in countries such as India. Next call opens 15 February.
About this grant
The develoPPP Classic call is closed at the moment, and applications are not open yet. The official page says the next call for applications starts on 15 February, and it does not name the year; the usual window runs from 15 February to 31 March, so the next round should be early 2027. develoPPP Classic is the funding instrument of Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for established companies that want to invest sustainably in a developing or emerging country. India is on the list of possible project countries.
What the program offers
Suitable projects receive between EUR 100,000 and EUR 2 million (about ₹1.09 crore to ₹21.8 crore) in project funding. This covers up to 50 percent of the total cost, so your company pays at least the other half. It is co-funding for a project, not a loan and not an equity investment.
You also get an implementing partner. DEG Impulse suits projects your company largely runs on site by itself and brings financial expertise and a possible route to further DEG funding. GIZ suits projects that need on-site technical support and links to local networks, and it has a presence in over 120 countries. Both say they have implemented over 1,000 develoPPP projects.
Supported projects can include training local skilled workers, piloting new technologies or demonstration plants, making supply chains more sustainable, and raising environmental and social standards.
Who can apply
Your company must be majority privately owned and profit-oriented, and registered in the EU, an EFTA country or a country on the OECD's DAC list, which includes India according to this listing. It needs at least eight employees, annual turnover of at least EUR 800,000, two audited annual financial statements, a positive net income, and enough equity and liquidity to cover its share of the costs. It also needs suitable staff and skills to run the project.
The project country must be on the develoPPP Classic country list, and India is on it. The project must combine a long-term business interest with lasting benefit for local people, go beyond a mere investment in your core business, be measurable, and be one that would not happen without develoPPP support. Purely commercial funding to expand your core business is not possible.
This suits an established Indian or international company with a real operation and audited accounts. It is not a fit for an early-stage startup without audited statements or the turnover and headcount above.
How to apply
First check that your company and project meet the conditions of participation. Then prepare a project concept and your two most recent audited annual financial statements, choose DEG Impulse or GIZ as the partner, and submit through the central develoPPP application platform during an open call. The ideas competition runs twice a year, for six weeks each time: 15 February to 31 March and 15 August to 30 September.
How applications are judged and what happens next
The partner you chose reviews every application against standard criteria and picks the most suitable proposals. Within about six weeks of the deadline it tells you whether the idea can be pursued. You then work out a detailed concept together, and the schedule and budget go through a second review of about three to four weeks. A positive result leads to a contract. Plan for about six months from application to project start.
About develoPPP
develoPPP is the BMZ programme that works with the private sector on sustainable development. It supports business projects in over 60 developing and emerging countries and is run through two partners, DEG Impulse, a non-profit subsidiary of DEG, and GIZ, the German agency for international cooperation.
Things to check before you apply
- The next call dates are not confirmed for a year; confirm them on the official page.
- You must fund at least half of the project yourself.
- The conditions of participation also require that funding is compatible with European state aid law.
- A practical tip: pick the partner early. The page says the right choice depends on how much technical and local support your project needs.
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
develoPPP Classic co-funds your project with EUR 100,000 to EUR 2 million (about ₹1.09 crore to ₹21.8 crore), at most 50% of the total project cost; your company contributes the rest. The implementing partner you choose, DEG Impulse or GIZ, helps you work up the detailed project concept and accompanies the project, bringing know-how, local networks and contacts in more than 60 countries.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The implementing partner you chose, DEG Impulse or GIZ, reviews all applications against standard criteria and picks the most suitable proposals. Those are developed into a detailed concept with the company, followed by a second review of concept, schedule and budget, which leads to a contract if positive. Allow about six months from application to project start.
Application Process
- 1
Check fit
Confirm your company and project meet the conditions and the country is on the list.
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.
Program templates & documents
Files the program publishes for applicants — download these and apply in the prescribed format.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the next develoPPP Classic call?
The official page says the next call for applications starts on 15 February and does not state the year. The ideas competition runs twice a year, 15 February to 31 March and 15 August to 30 September. The current call is closed.
Can Indian companies apply for develoPPP Classic?
Yes, if the company meets the conditions. It can be registered in a country on the OECD DAC list, and India is on that list. India is also on the list of possible project countries.
How much funding does develoPPP Classic provide?
Between EUR 100,000 and EUR 2 million (about ₹1.09 crore to ₹21.8 crore), covering up to 50 percent of the total project cost. Your company pays at least the rest.
Is it a grant, a loan or equity?
It is project funding from the German ministry that works as co-funding. The source describes grants and technical support and does not describe it as a loan or an equity stake.
What are the minimum requirements for a company?
The company must be majority privately owned and profit-oriented, with at least eight employees, turnover of at least EUR 800,000 and two audited annual financial statements. It also needs a positive net income and enough equity and liquidity to pay its share.
Can an early-stage startup apply?
Only if it already meets the requirements of eight employees, EUR 800,000 turnover and two audited financial statements. The programme describes itself as aimed at already established companies.
What does going beyond your core business mean?
The project must benefit local people as well as the company. Funding that only serves to expand the core business is not possible.
Which partner should I choose, DEG Impulse or GIZ?
DEG Impulse suits projects your company largely runs on site itself, while GIZ suits projects that need on-site technical support and links to local networks. The right choice depends on your project's aims and design.
How long does the process take?
You usually hear within about six weeks of the deadline whether your idea will be pursued. The detailed concept varies in length, and the second review and contract take about three to four weeks. Plan for about six months from application to project start.
What documents do I need to submit?
You need a project concept and two current audited annual financial statements. You apply through the central develoPPP online platform, and the rest of the application is described in the conditions of participation.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
