Mitigation Action Facility Funding Opportunity (Call for Projects 2026) for African NGOs

The Mitigation Action Facility funding opportunity is now open under its 2026 Call for Projects, offering one of the most significant climate finance windows currently available to African countries and their partners.

This funding round supports ambitious mitigation initiatives in the energy, transport, and industrial sectors, with individual project grants ranging from EUR 5 million to EUR 25 million.

African NGOs, development organisations, and technical institutions may participate either as direct applicants or as consortium partners, provided their proposed interventions are aligned with national climate priorities and endorsed by the relevant government authority.

The current application stage focuses on the submission of Project Concepts, making this the most accessible entry point for organisations with mature ideas and established policy engagement.

The application deadline is 25 February 2026 at 15:00 CET. Given the scale, technical depth, and institutional coordination required, early preparation is essential.

Discover 19 Grants Closing in February 2026 

Grant Overview

The Mitigation Action Facility (MAF) is a multi-donor climate finance mechanism supporting developing countries in implementing high-impact mitigation actions.

It builds on the former NAMA Facility and retains a strong emphasis on sector-wide transformation rather than small, stand-alone projects.

The Facility’s core purpose is to close the gap between national climate commitments and investment reality.

In practical terms, this means supporting policy and finance interventions that make low-carbon investments viable in real markets, rather than relying on one-off pilots.

Funded projects are expected to:

• Remove regulatory and financial barriers
• Introduce innovative financing structures
• Mobilise private sector capital
• Establish conditions for sustained market change

For the 2026 cycle, particular attention is given to projects that combine policy reform with financial mechanisms, enabling long-term decarbonisation beyond the lifetime of the grant.

Key Grant Details

• Funder: Mitigation Action Facility (multi-donor initiative)
• Total funding envelope: Up to EUR 100 million
• Grant size per project: EUR 5 million to EUR 25 million
• Eligible regions: OECD DAC Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries, including most African states
• Eligible applicants:

1. NGOs and international NGOs
2. National ministries and public institutions
3. Development banks and financial institutions
4. Private sector entities and commercial companies

Priority sectors:

• Energy
• Transport
• Industry

Deadline: 25 February 2026, 15:00 CET

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

Eligible organisation types

Applications may be submitted by a broad range of legally registered entities, including:

• Non-governmental and nonprofit organisations
• Public institutions and national ministries
• Commercial companies and financial institutions
• Technical and research institutions (as consortium partners)

Consortium applications are strongly encouraged, particularly where they combine:

• International technical expertise
• Local implementation capacity
• Financial and policy actors

In practice, most African NGOs are likely to participate as technical or implementation partners within consortia led by public institutions or financial entities.

Registration and legal requirements

Applicants must be legally registered entities with demonstrable capacity to manage multi-year, multi-million-euro funding. NGOs should be able to show experience in areas such as:

• Climate mitigation or energy programming
• Policy engagement
• Financial or institutional partnerships

Geographic scope

Projects must be implemented in countries classified as ODA-eligible by the OECD. Proposals must demonstrate clear alignment with:

• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
• Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies
• Relevant sectoral policies

A formal letter of support from the relevant national ministry is mandatory at the concept stage.

What the Grant Supports

The Mitigation Action Facility finances interventions designed to achieve sustained greenhouse gas reductions through systemic change.

Energy sector priorities

Projects may focus on:

• Decentralised renewable energy systems
• Grid flexibility and energy storage
• Green hydrogen development
• Reform of fossil fuel subsidies
• Energy market regulation
• System-level energy efficiency

These priorities reflect the Facility’s focus on structural market change rather than isolated infrastructure investments.

Transport sector priorities

Supported themes include:

• Zero-emission vehicle infrastructure
• Urban mobility reform
• Public transport decarbonisation
• Freight and logistics transformation
• Fuel switching and modal shifts

These areas are intended to reshape transport systems rather than fund vehicle procurement alone.

Industry sector priorities

Eligible areas include:

• Decarbonisation of cement, steel, and chemical industries
• Circular economy business models
• Industrial energy efficiency
• Alternative fuels for industry
• Market mechanisms for low-carbon production

Types of activities funded

Typical project components may include:

• Policy and regulatory reform
• Technical assistance and institutional strengthening
• Financial instruments such as guarantees, concessional loans, or equity facilities
• Market creation tools
• Risk-sharing mechanisms

The Facility does not primarily fund standalone infrastructure. Instead, it supports mechanisms that unlock continued investment after grant funding ends.

Mitigation Action Facility Funding Opportunity: How to Apply

Application stages

The 2026 cycle follows a structured, multi-stage process:

1. Concept Phase (current stage)
Submission of a Project Concept (maximum 12 pages) together with mandatory annexes:

• Initial greenhouse gas mitigation calculation
• Letter of support from a national ministry
• Gender and social inclusion self-assessment

2. Pitch Phase
Shortlisted applicants present their concepts to technical reviewers appointed by the Facility.

3. Detailed Preparation Phase (DPP)
Selected projects receive up to 12 months of preparation funding to develop a full project proposal.

4. Implementation Phase
Projects approved after DPP enter a 36–66 month implementation period.

High-level steps for applicants

Organisations should:

• Identify a sectoral mitigation intervention aligned with national policy
• Secure government endorsement
• Form an appropriate consortium where required
• Prepare a compliant concept note
• Submit through the official portal

Because government endorsement is compulsory, NGOs should confirm national priorities before preparing a concept.

Authoritative application link

All applications must be submitted via the official Open Application Platform:
https://oap.mitigation-action.org

Further official information is available from the Mitigation Action Facility:
https://mitigation-action.org

OECD DAC ODA country list
https://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/development-finance-standards/daclist.htm

Applicants are advised to rely exclusively on guidance published through these official sources.

Important Notes

• This funding opportunity is highly competitive and technically demanding.
• Only concept-stage applications are accepted at this stage.
• Government endorsement is mandatory.
• Projects must demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period.
• Business-as-usual activities are not supported.

Applicants should always refer to the official Mitigation Action Facility guidance, as call conditions may change.

FAQ – Mitigation Action Facility Funding Opportunity

Is this grant open to African NGOs?
Yes. African NGOs may apply directly or participate as consortium partners, provided the project is implemented in an ODA-eligible country and has government endorsement.

Which sectors are eligible under this call?
The 2026 Call supports projects in energy, transport, and industry, including cross-sectoral approaches.

What is the size of each grant?
Projects may receive between EUR 5 million and EUR 25 million.

Is government approval required?
Yes. A formal letter of support from the relevant national ministry is required at the concept stage.

Does this funding support infrastructure projects?
Infrastructure may form part of a project, but the Facility prioritises policy reform and financial mechanisms that enable long-term sectoral transformation.

Other Funding Opportunities

• UNESCO‑Aschberg Artist Grant – Funding Opportunity for African NGOs
• Qualcomm Make in Africa 2026 Funding Opportunity – Equity-Free Program for African Startups and NGOs
• Goethe-Institut Heritage Narratives Funding Opportunity for African NGOs
• AU–EU Youth Lab Cooperation Grant – Funding Opportunity for African NGOs

Conclusion

The Mitigation Action Facility funding opportunity under the 2026 Call for Projects represents one of the most substantial climate mitigation funding windows currently available to African countries and their partners. With grants of up to EUR 25 million per project, it is designed for organisations engaged in sector-level reform across energy, transport, and industry.

For African NGOs already involved in climate policy, energy transition, or industrial transformation, this call may provide an entry point into larger national climate programmes through consortium participation. While the application process is demanding, it offers rare access to finance aimed at reshaping national systems rather than supporting isolated projects.

Organisations considering this opportunity should consult the official guidance promptly, coordinate with national authorities, and monitor updates closely. Subscribing to funding alerts, bookmarking this listing, or sharing it with relevant partners can help ensure timely preparation.