Eligible organisations

The Fund is open to any registered private sector enterprise, as well as to business and civil-society organisations in the UK and selected countries in Africa and the Caribbean.

Funding criteria

The Business Linkages Challenge Fund (BLCF) makes grants for the development of business linkages that improve competitiveness and benefit the poor. Grants are allocated on a competitive basis to ensure that public funds are used to best effect.

Linkage projects are eligible for support provided that the linkages demonstrate real innovation and help the poor. Clear rules are in place to determine eligibility for funding.

The BCLF's objectives are broad and its philosophy is one of encouraging innovation. Approved linkages will mobilise enterprises and their representatives by, for example, transferring skills, information and technology, improving sourcing, product supply and market access.

Funding available per activity

Cost-sharing grants of £50,000 to £1,000,000

Total available

The BLCF fund of £14.7 million has now been fully committed and there will be no further bidding rounds.

Contact department

Policy Division, administered by Emerging Markets Group (EMG) Ltd.

Contact details

http://www.businesslinkageschallengefund.org/

Jack Newnham, BLCF Project Manager at jnewnham@emergingmarketsgroup.com

Rosalind Wilson, BLCF Project Administrator at rwilson@emergingmarketsgroup.com