IKI Small Grants 2027 (8th Call)
By International Climate Initiative (IKI)
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Quick Answer
Grants of EUR 60,000–200,000 (about ₹65 lakh–₹2.2 crore) from Germany's climate programme for local organisations running nature-based climate or biodiversity projects. Call opens 15 November 2026.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- International
About this grant
Applications for the 8th IKI Small Grants call are not open yet. The call opens on 15 November 2026, and the first step, an eligibility check, closes on 8 January 2027. IKI Small Grants is the local climate and biodiversity programme of Germany's International Climate Initiative (IKI), commissioned by the Federal Environment Ministry (BMUKN). It funds projects of EUR 60,000 to EUR 200,000 (about ₹65.4 lakh to ₹2.18 crore) for small local organisations in countries that qualify for official development assistance.
What the program offers
Each selected project receives between EUR 60,000 and EUR 200,000. No request above or below that range is considered, and the amount you ask for must not exceed your organisation's average annual revenue over the past three years. The exact budget limits are sent by email to organisations found eligible.
Projects run for 12 to 24 months, or up to three years in exceptional cases if you can justify it. The project start is planned for the second quarter of 2028 or later. Selected organisations also take part in a capacity development curriculum agreed with them after a needs assessment, covering topics such as project management, finance and fundraising. The funding is a grant paid for the project itself.
Who can apply
The call is aimed mainly at not-for-profit organisations. Private companies can apply if the proposed project itself has non-profit objectives, and market-based or entrepreneurial approaches are welcome if they deliver measurable climate or biodiversity benefits and benefits for local communities. Individuals, one-person organisations and government organisations, such as ministries, municipalities and public universities, cannot apply.
Your organisation must be based and registered in a country on the OECD's list of official development assistance recipients, and be financially and legally independent; branches of organisations from non-eligible countries are not funded. It must have been operating for at least 36 months, have averaged between EUR 60,000 and EUR 500,000 in annual revenue over the past three years, and have dedicated accounting staff and a software-based accounting system. You must carry out the project yourself: consortia and passing funds to other organisations are not allowed.
For an Indian applicant, this suits established NGOs and trusts with a track record and clean accounts. It is not a fit for a very young organisation, a large organisation above the revenue band, or a multi-country project.
How to apply
From 15 November 2026 you register on the application platform linked from the IKI Small Grants website. For the eligibility check, submit your organisation details and these documents by 8 January 2027: registration certificates, financial statements for the last three available years (the latest ending no earlier than June 2025), a completed revenue template, and your accounting and procurement guidelines.
The team confirms eligibility by 2 February 2027. Only eligible organisations are invited to submit the full project proposal and budget, due by 16 March 2027 on the same platform. Everything must be in English, though perfect English is not required and you may use translation help.
How applications are judged and what happens next
Proposals are assessed on how relevant and ambitious the nature-based solution is, private-sector engagement where relevant, quality of the project concept, involvement of stakeholders such as government agencies, the organisation's qualifications, risk and safeguard planning, and the lasting results after the project ends. Selection can take several months, and the programme asks applicants not to ask about their status. After selection there is a review phase with GIZ to finalise the proposal and budget, and a successful submission is not a commitment to fund.
About IKI Small Grants
IKI Small Grants is a global funding and capacity development programme that is part of the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Government. It supports small national and local organisations so that they can strengthen their capacities and professional networks as local agents of change for climate and biodiversity action.
Things to check before you apply
- The theme of this call is Nature-based Solutions, such as protecting or restoring mangroves or creating green urban spaces. Your project must also focus on at least one of four areas: cutting greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change, preserving and restoring carbon sinks, or conserving biodiversity.
- Projects must be in one country, at local, state or national level.
- Check the OECD list yourself to confirm your country; this listing treats India as eligible.
- A practical tip: start gathering three years of financial statements and your accounting policies now, since the eligibility check needs them.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
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
IKI Small Grants funds one project of between EUR 60,000 and EUR 200,000 (about ₹65.4 lakh to ₹2.18 crore), and the amount you request cannot be more than your organisation's average annual revenue over the past three years. Projects run for 12 to 24 months, or up to three years in justified cases. Alongside the money, each selected organisation agrees a capacity-building plan with the programme, with training in areas such as project management and fundraising.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
The programme first checks each organisation's eligibility from its documents. Eligible organisations are invited to submit a full proposal, assessed on the relevance and ambition of the nature-based solution, private-sector engagement where relevant, quality of the project concept, involvement of stakeholders, the organisation's qualifications, risk and safeguard planning, and the lasting results of the project. Selection can take several months, and selected projects go through a review phase with GIZ before funding starts.
Application Process
- 1
Eligibility check
Submit organisation details, registration, three years of financial statements and accounting guidelines by 8 January 2027.
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 does the IKI Small Grants 8th call open and close?
The call opens on 15 November 2026 and the application period closes on 8 January 2027. Eligible organisations are told by 2 February 2027 and must submit a full proposal by 16 March 2027.
Can Indian organisations apply for IKI Small Grants?
The call is for organisations based and registered in countries on the OECD's list of official development assistance recipients. This listing treats India as eligible, but the programme page does not name India, so check the list linked in the funding information.
How much funding can a project get?
Between EUR 60,000 and EUR 200,000 (about ₹65.4 lakh to ₹2.18 crore). The request cannot exceed your organisation's average annual revenue over the past three years.
Can a company or startup apply?
Private companies can apply if the proposed project is non-profit in nature and supports the programme's goals. Market-based and entrepreneurial approaches are welcome. Individuals and one-person organisations cannot apply.
Who cannot apply?
Individuals, one-person organisations, government organisations such as ministries, municipalities and public universities, and branches of organisations based in non-eligible countries cannot apply. Consortia are also not allowed because passing funds to partners is not permitted.
What kind of projects are funded?
This call funds Nature-based Solutions, which means protecting, sustainably managing or restoring ecosystems to tackle problems such as climate risk. The project must also focus on cutting emissions, adapting to climate change, preserving carbon sinks or conserving biodiversity, in one country only.
What documents are needed for the eligibility check?
You need registration certificates, financial statements for the last three available years with the latest ending no earlier than June 2025, a completed revenue template, and your accounting and procurement guidelines.
Can I apply in Hindi or another language?
No. Applications must be in English and all later communication is in English too. Perfect English is not required, and you may use professional or online translation help.
How long can a project run?
Projects run for at least 12 months and no more than two years, or up to three years in exceptional cases with good justification. Project start is planned for the second quarter of 2028 or later.
When are the results announced?
The page gives no results date and says the selection process can take several months. It asks applicants not to enquire about their status, and eligibility confirmations come by 2 February 2027.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
