Fully Funded IFE Call for Proposals 2026: Job Grants in Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia

The Fully Funded IFE Call for Proposals 2026 is now open. It offers grants for job creation and skills development in Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. KfW Development Bank runs the program for the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The call starts on 20 March 2026 and ends on 1 June 2026 at 17:00 CEST. This comes under Germany’s Special Initiative “Decent Work for a Just Transition.” Announced in March 2026, it targets youth employment and economic growth in these countries. This article covers the program’s goals, who can apply, the process, key dates, and tips to submit.

The Facility Investing for Employment (IFE) works to boost private sector jobs in Africa. KfW Development Bank handles it for BMZ. Its main goals are clear and direct:

Key Takeaways

• The IFE program offers grants for creating sustainable private sector jobs and skills development in Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia.

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• Applications open on March 20, 2026, and close on June 1, 2026, with a two-stage process starting with a concept note.

• Target sectors include construction, IT, food processing, and tourism, with extra points for projects benefiting women and youth.

• Projects must match own funding, show long-term impact, and align with goals like decent work and just transition.

• Create new, sustainable jobs in the private sector.

• Improve working conditions and income levels.

• Enhance skills development and vocational training.

• Promote inclusive economic growth, especially for women and youth.

Teams check projects for quality, sustainability, and long-term impact, not just the number of jobs.

Projects must focus on job creation as the main part. They need to be ready to start, show strong potential for private sector jobs, stay financially sound, and include money from the applicant. Training and skills development can add extra funding. This covers vocational programs, upskilling for workers, and training in languages or technical skills that match job market needs. Target sectors include:

• Construction and related industries
• Metal and electrical industries
• Education and social services
• Food processing
• Transport and logistics
• Information technology
• Hospitality and tourism

Allowed activities cover building or upgrading training centers, buying equipment and materials, or running special training sessions. Check the guidelines for applicants for full details on investment categories.

Grants pay for capital investments that create jobs, build infrastructure, and run training programs. They pair with the applicant’s own funds to make sure projects last. No exact funding amounts are listed here, so visit the IFE Download Center for more.

Teams score projects on these points:

1. Number of new jobs created.
2. Cost per job created.
3. Improvement in working conditions or income.
4. Number of people getting training.
5. Extra impact for women and youth.
6. Help for feminist development and just transition.
7. Links to other development programs.

High-impact and inclusive projects get bonus points. Here’s a quick table to compare:

Criterion	Description	Why It Matters
Jobs created	Total new sustainable jobs	Shows direct employment boost
Cost per job	Funding efficiency	Proves value for money
Conditions/income	Better work or pay	Builds decent jobs
Training people	Number trained	Grows skills fast
Women/youth	Extra benefits	Boosts inclusion
Feminist/just transition	Gender and green focus	Fits global goals
Synergies	Ties to other aid	Strengthens results

Legal entities in Ghana, Senegal, or Tunisia can apply alone if they have run for at least three years. Groups work too. These include two or more entities from the target country, other African nations, or EU/EFTA areas. All must prove they can run projects and add their own funding. Key types break down like this:

• Individual applicants: Local companies with experience.
• Consortia: Partner teams for bigger reach.

The process has two stages to pick the best ideas. First, submit a concept note online. Judges review it against set rules and pick top ones. Then, for stage two, send a full proposal. This leads to checks, site visits if needed, and grant deals for winners.

Key dates keep things on track:

Event	Date/Time
Opens	20 March 2026
Questions deadline	15 May 2026
Application deadline	1 June 2026 (17:00 CEST)

Submit early. Join webinars for help.

Webinars run in April and May 2026. They cover how to apply, what judges want, and how to use the online system. Other help includes the IFE Helpdesk and email support at [email protected]. Options are:

• Live webinar sessions.
• Platform demos.
• Answers to common questions in the IFE FAQ.

This call lets you tap into funding to grow job projects. It scales skills training and readies workers. You add to Africa’s economy and meet global goals like decent work. Benefits stand out:

• Get major grant money without full costs.
• Create real jobs for youth and others.
• Build skills that match market needs.
• Join a trusted German-backed program.
• Boost long-term growth in your country.

For Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia projects, start at the online application portal. Make sure your concept note covers all goals. Read full rules in the Download Center. See more on the call page. Reach out to the help email for issues.

The IFE Call for Proposals 2026 provides a key chance to fund job creation and skills training in Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia through German-backed grants. Focus on sustainable projects that boost private sector jobs, especially for youth and women, to make a real impact. Visit the online portal today, review the guidelines, and submit your concept note before the June 1 deadline to seize this opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions