Applications Invited for Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) 26th Call for Proposals

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About the Organization

The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is an autonomous intergovernmental financial institution established within the framework of the United Nations. The Agreement Establishing the Common Fund for Commodities was negotiated in the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) from 1976 to 1980 and became effective in 1989. The first commodity development project was approved in 1991.

Our Mission: To contribute to poverty alleviation by strengthening the income-generating capacity of commodity producers and mitigating vulnerability to their economic well being.

Our Vision: To strengthen and diversify the commodity sector in developing countries and transform it to be a major contributor to poverty alleviation and sustained economic growth and development.

About the Grant

The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) invites applications for financial support from projects that aim to transform commodity value chains and uplift smallholder and SME-based enterprises in CFC member countries. The CFC provides a variety of financial and technical support options to empower SMEs, cooperatives, International Commodity Bodies (ICBs), and other institutions, particularly those led by or supporting women in agriculture.

Our mission is to alleviate poverty and create sustainable livelihoods in commodity-dependent communities, with a strong emphasis on supporting the poorest and most vulnerable in the global value chains, including in areas of production, processing, financing, marketing, and R&D. Successful applications should demonstrate tangible, sustainable impacts on the lives of low-income populations who depend on commodities, with particular focus on female smallholders and women-led enterprises.

The CFC is particularly interested in proposals from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to maximize poverty alleviation in the developing world. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we are committed to advancing gender equality, promoting climate action, and supporting resilient economies by closing the economic opportunity gap for women and ensuring that agricultural growth benefits both people and the planet.

To enable a technology-enabled transformation, we also invite innovative ideas that can drive impactful change within commodity value chains. This may include partnerships in agritech, agroforestry, agro-ecology, regenerative practices, renewable energy solutions, digital agriculture, climate-friendly practices, and advanced traceability (e.g., blockchain) to ensure equitable and transparent value chains.

Financing can be provided in the form of loans for capital expenditures, working capital or trade finance to invest in productivity and value chain upgrading involving smallholders and/or SMEs. Applications should clearly show operational and financial viability, and be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

Women entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to apply, as their success is essential to achieving inclusive, sustainable growth across the commodity sector. The CFC is committed to ensuring that our resources are available for both the digital and green transitions, ultimately supporting resilient, equitable commodity systems for both the consumers and producers.

How to Apply

All interested SMEs/enterprises/businesses/cooperatives/financial institutions/governments are kindly invited to submit qualifying proposals no later than 1 April 2025.

All applicants are requested to submit the qualifying proposals at - opencall@common-fund.org

For full details, please download the call for proposals application form and the Balance Sheet/Income statement:

• Application form (PDF)
• General: Balance Sheet and Income Statement (Excel)
• Financial Institutions only: Balance Sheet and Income Statement (Excel)

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Women Empowerment Others