CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: AGRIBUSINESS PRODUCT INNOVATION SUPPORT 2026
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: AGRIBUSINESS PRODUCT INNOVATION SUPPORT 2026
Organiser: Value Chain for Agribusiness, Climate and Employment (VACE) Project
Implementing Organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
Co-funded by: European Union (EU)
Application Deadline: 27 October 2026
About the Opportunity
The VACE Project is officially inviting agribusiness SMEs, food processors, and product innovators to apply for comprehensive support geared toward developing and launching innovative products leveraging dairy, cocoa, and their by-products.
This initiative is designed to strengthen local processing and value addition, scale business operations, drive job creation, increase income generation, and champion sustainable agribusiness practices.
Why Should You Apply?
Selected applicants will unlock a suite of high-value benefits, including:
Technical Support: Expert assistance dedicated to developing and successfully launching new products.
Business Development Support: Tailored guidance to strengthen product lines and optimize overall business performance.
Market Exhibition Opportunities: Exclusive platforms to showcase newly developed products directly to potential buyers and key customers.
Future Collaboration: Long-term opportunities to partner with the project on ongoing product development, monitoring, and evaluation.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are welcome from eligible small and medium-sized agribusinesses, food processors, and product innovators operating across sectors such as:
Dairy and cocoa processing
Food and beverages
Bakery and pastry
Agrifood processing
Cosmetics
Health and wellness
Nutraceuticals
Other value-added industries utilizing dairy, cocoa, or their by-products
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Possess demonstrable experience in dairy or cocoa processing, food production, or a related value-added industry.
Commit to developing and launching at least one new product utilizing dairy, cocoa, or their by-products.
Maintain an existing product line or present a clear, viable plan for developing an innovative product or upgrading an existing one.
Operate as a legally recognized business with valid registration and permits (or provide verifiable evidence of an ongoing registration process).
Maintain at least one active marketing channel (e.g., social media, direct orders, retail outlets, supermarkets, or alternative sales channels).
Agree to share the product recipe and actively collaborate with the project team on monitoring and evaluation activities.
Demonstrate a forward-thinking willingness to innovate, optimize production standards, and expand market presence.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified businesses are required to prepare a comprehensive proposal detailing their product concept and submit it via email.
Application Email: flora.asibe@giz.de
Concept Note Download: VACE Product Innovation Concept Note (Applicants are strongly advised to thoroughly review the concept note for full application guidelines prior to submission).
Important Deadline Reminder: All applications must be submitted on or before 27 October 2026.
Summary of Support & Next Steps
The project provides dedicated technical assistance and targeted business development support, complemented by structured market exhibitions. This program represents a premier opportunity for agribusiness entrepreneurs to refine their offerings, introduce pioneering products, scale operations, and capture broader market share.
Have a dairy- or cocoa-based product idea ready? Take the next step today to bring your innovation to the market!
