CALL FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY CHALLENGE FUND (CECF) APPLICATION

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), in partnership with its country-based partner, Caritas Kigoma, is implementing a 4-year project, Vitalizing Opportunities in Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions in Lake Tanganyika (VOICES), funded by the European Union. The VOICES project aims to enhance knowledge and test circular economic practices to conserve resources, reduce waste, and lower energy consumption through recycling, reuse, and remanufacturing. The project is expected to directly benefit 119,160 people living along the shores of Lake Tanganyika by 2028, while over 2,000,000 people will benefit indirectly, with a special focus on youth and women. To achieve sustainable waste management and effectively promote the circular economy, the VOICES project is implementing a Circular Economy Challenge Fund (CECF).

The Circular Economy Challenge Fund (CECF) aims to provide technical support, Business Development Services (BDS), and financial support to micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) that innovate and operate in the circular economy, addressing environmental challenges while creating economic opportunities for various enterprises and suppliers based on community, savings, and specific women’s and youth groups.

The fund also focuses on building sustainable ecosystems by fostering a culture of resource efficiency, innovation, reducing waste, and promoting inclusive growth by prioritizing women- and youth-led CE businesses.  The objectives of CECF are

• Enhance the adoption of circular economy practices, such as plastic recycling, composting, briquette production, renewable resource use, etc.
• Enhance the capacity and scalability of circular economy MSMEs at various stages of development through the provision of the technical, financial, and BDS support needed.
• Encourage community participation, innovation, and development of sustainable CE, inclusive businesses contributing to environmental protection.
• Contribute to the global sustainability agenda by aligning with SDGs, particularly SDG 12 (responsible production and consumption).

PURPOSE OF THE CALL FOR APPLICATION

Currently, CRS, under the VOICES CECF, targets Start-up and Ideation-Stage businesses as beneficiaries for this window. This Call for Applications targets beneficiaries who meet the following criteria:

Start-ups – Eligibility Criteria 

• Recently established enterprises or individual entrepreneurs operating for at least 1 year.
• Demonstrated innovative circular economy practices or solutions.
• Viable business plan and evidence of market demand.

• Commitment to waste management and environmental conservation. ü Business is women- and youth-led or founded.

Ideation Stage – Eligibility Criteria

• Informal groups or entrepreneurs with a feasible and innovative business idea aligned with CECF priorities.
• Potential for registration and early-stage implementation within 6–12 months.
• Demonstrated entrepreneurial capacity or willingness to undergo training.
• Commitment to sustainable and inclusive circular economy models.

Only applications that meet the above eligibility requirements will be scored against the evaluation criteria described below

What Successful Applicants Receive

A successfully selected business will benefit from:

• Financial support (Performance-based grants) does not exceed Euros 30,000 for a startup business and Euros 10,000 for an ideation-stage business.
• Technical assistance, including business development support (BDS) services.

KEY TIMELINE

• 25^th March 2026: Official Launch of the Call for Funding Applications
• 15^th April 2026 (23:59 EAT): Submission Deadline
• 16^th April 2026 – 30th May 2026: Review, selection, feedback, due diligence, approval processes.

• Interested applicants should send an email to [email protected] or call +255 757 803 680 to request application forms or visit the CRS Kigoma office on the 3^rd Floor NSSF Building
• The applicant must submit a complete application form and send it to [email protected]