IKI Medium Grants 2026: EUR 300,000-800,000 for climate and biodiversity projects with local partners
Verified by the editorial team 25 October 2026
Added to the catalogue Added to the catalogue from the 21 October GetGrant export, terms verified on the IKI call page, funding announcement and FAQ
Summary
EUR 300,000 to 800,000 for 2-3 year projects on climate protection and biodiversity. A non-profit from Germany or the EU applies, and a Ukrainian NGO can be the required local implementing partner. Project outlines are accepted until 12 January 2027.
About the call
IKI Medium Grants is the seventh medium-grants round of the International Climate Initiative, funded by Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. The total budget is up to EUR 8 million, and each project receives EUR 300,000 to 800,000 for 2-3 years in one or two implementing countries.
There are two thematic priorities: green skills for local climate action (community renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, low-emission construction, new income for women, young people and marginalised groups) and future-proof coasts with digital biodiversity monitoring of marine and coastal ecosystems. Selection has two stages: first a project outline on the IKI online platform, then an invitation to a full application.
Only a non-profit with an office in Germany or another EU Member State and at least 3 years of international cooperation experience can be the lead applicant. For Ukrainian NGOs the call is open as a local implementing partner: an independent non-profit legal entity in the implementing country with 2 years of experience in the chosen theme, which should receive a substantial share of the budget. Ukraine is an IKI partner country, so it is worth looking for German partners now.
Who can apply
- Lead applicant - a non-profit civil society organisation, foundation, university or research institute with an office in Germany or another EU Member State
- Lead applicant with at least 3 years of international cooperation experience
- Ukrainian NGOs as local implementing partners (1-2 partners per project)
- The partner must be an independent non-profit legal entity in the implementing country with 2 years of experience in the chosen theme
Who cannot apply
- Organisations based only outside the EU as lead applicants
- Multilateral and UN organisations, commercial companies, state actors and municipalities
- Consortia of several lead organisations (North-North)
What the funds are for
- Local climate action with green skills and new income opportunities
- Community renewable energy and low-emission construction
- Sustainable agriculture
- Protection and restoration of marine and coastal ecosystems
- Digital biodiversity monitoring solutions involving communities
What is not funded
- Projects with most activities taking place in Germany
- Forwarding funds to local authorities and private companies
- Generating mitigation credits for offsetting
Documents required
Forms and templates are on the call page
How to apply
- 1Find a German or European non-profit partner to act as lead applicant
- 2Read the funding announcement, selection criteria and the call FAQ
- 3Optionally join the IKI online seminar on 19 November 2026
- 4The lead applicant submits the outline in English via the IKI online platform by 12 January 2027, 11:59 CET
- 5If assessed positively, prepare the full application in the second stage
Timeline
Questions and answers
- Can a Ukrainian NGO apply to IKI Medium Grants on its own?
- No. Only a non-profit organisation with an office in Germany or another EU Member State can be the lead applicant. A Ukrainian NGO takes part as a local implementing partner and receives part of the budget through the lead applicant.
- What are the requirements for a local partner in IKI Medium Grants?
- The partner must be an independent non-profit legal entity registered in the country of implementation with at least 2 years of experience in the chosen thematic priority.
Change history
- Added: Added to the catalogue from the 21 October GetGrant export, terms verified on the IKI call page, funding announcement and FAQ
Donor contacts
Phone: +49 30 72618 0222
