IKI Small Grants 2027 (Call 8): €60,000–200,000 for Local Nature-Based Climate Projects

The German Government’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) will open the 8th IKI Small Grants Call for Proposals on 15 November 2026, offering €60,000–200,000 to local organisations running climate and biodiversity projects in developing countries, including across Africa. This round focuses on Nature-based Solutions. The first-stage eligibility check closes on 8 January 2027.

IKI Small Grants is implemented by GIZ and also provides capacity development to help grantees strengthen their organisations.

Key Details

• Funder: International Climate Initiative (IKI), German Federal Government
• Implementer: GIZ
• Grant size: €60,000–200,000
• Project length: 12–24 months (up to 36 months in justified cases), starting Q2 2028 or later
• Theme: Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
• Call opens: 15 November 2026
• Eligibility stage closes: 8 January 2027

Benefits

• grants of €60,000–200,000 for one project
• organisational capacity development support
• funding for locally led, nature-based climate and biodiversity work

What Projects Fit: Nature-based Solutions

IKI uses the IUCN definition: actions that protect, sustainably manage or restore ecosystems while tackling social challenges, benefiting people and biodiversity. Examples include:

• ecosystem-based adaptation, for example restoring mangroves or wetlands to protect communities from floods
• ecosystem restoration and reforestation
• biodiversity conservation
• sustainable forest and natural resource management
• protecting natural carbon sinks and ecosystem-based mitigation

Projects must be implemented in a single country; multi-country projects are not eligible.

Eligibility

• a legally registered organisation in an ODA-eligible country (this includes most African countries)
• such as NGOs, civil society and community-based organisations, or private companies running non-profit projects
• operating for at least three years
• average annual revenue of €60,000–500,000 over the last three years
• dedicated accounting staff and software-based accounting
• the grant requested must not exceed your average annual revenue

Not eligible (according to the call summary): government institutions, individuals and consortia. Applications must be in English.

Key Dates

• 15 November 2026: call opens; full Funding Information and Application Guidelines published
• 8 January 2027, 11:59 pm CET: eligibility screening closes
• 2 February 2027: eligible organisations informed
• 16 March 2027: full project proposals due (invited organisations only)

How to Apply

1. Read the Funding Information for Call 8 (PDF) and the official IKI Small Grants funding page.
2. Gather your registration documents and three years of financial statements.
3. From 15 November 2026, complete the online eligibility screening — before 8 January 2027.
4. If invited, submit your full proposal and budget by 16 March 2027.

Tips

• Check your revenue first: under €60,000 or over €500,000 a year means you’re not eligible.
• Make sure your accounts are audited or clearly documented.
• Choose a concrete, local nature-based project in one country with measurable results.
• Watch IKI’s launch-event recordings on its Knowledge Hub page.

Related Opportunities

• Oilwatch Africa Small Grants Programme 2026
• FBIS Africa Small Grants 2026
• LEAP Fund 2026: E-Mobility Grants

Opens 15 November 2026 · Eligibility stage closes 8 January 2027.