Frequently Asked Questions

No. The core eligibility criteria such as company age and minimum revenue thresholds are baseline requirements for the relevant track and are not negotiable.

Yes, but only if the NGO has a clearly identifiable revenue-generating activity or for-profit arm that meets the call criteria. NGOs that depend solely on donor funding are not eligible. The entity must be legally registered, financially sustainable, and meet the minimum eligibility criteria of the relevant track.

For WE4F 2.0, it is not only about the registration date; the key consideration is the company’s operational track record, maturity, and proven traction under the relevant track.

Matching Funds are Funds invested by your organization, toward the Innovation you are applying with, that supplement the grant. This could be monetary (excluding funds from WE4F 2.0 Founders/donors) or in-kind contributions (e.g., land, equipment, warehouses, salaries of your staff allocated to the proposed Innovation). In-kind contributions could be given a monetary value in the budget. To help ensure the sustainability of your Innovation, Regional call for SMEs (Track 1) awardees are required to have at least one-to-one (1-1) matching funds (cash/cash equivalent) to satisfy the matching requirements. Matching (whether in-kind or cash/cash equivalent) is based on funding provided by WE4F 2.0, not the total project budget. For example, applicants who request 100,000 US Dollars (initially) for an Innovation would need to provide a minimum of 100,000 US Dollars of in-kind contributions or matching funds, making the total project budget 200,000 US Dollars. The funds must pay for activities that further the growth, development, or commercialization of the organization’s technology (e.g., manufacturing, distribution, marketing).

The grant amount is assessed on a case-by-case basis. The grant amounts of USD 50,000 and USD 100,000 are indicative averages, while the final amount requested should be well justified in line with the company’s needs, growth plan, and budget, and should be proportionate to the scale and impact the innovation is expected to deliver.

The grant does not cover equipment and machinery, the grant covers only operation and production costs such as salaries, consultancy fees, raw materials, packaging, utilities, marketing campaigns, transportation, etc. but the cost of irrigation and solar systems can be considered as matching funds.

You may apply to both Track 1 and Track 2 if you meet the eligibility criteria of both tracks. However, if shortlisted, WE4F will only select one application / one track for award. Applicants are encouraged to apply to the track that best fits their current maturity and growth profile.

At this stage, applicants are required to submit the EOI only, using the official online form. This EOI is the initial short application / concept-note stage. The full proposal will come later, in a second stage, only for shortlisted applicants.

In the EOI you are requested to add the last three years for Track 1 and for Track 2 to add what’s applicable (minimum of 2 years). Applications can be submitted in English, French, or Arabic.

The call is open to legally registered, revenue generating enterprises, cooperatives, and individual inventors working in the agricultural sector, as well as registered for profit and nonprofit organizations that generate revenue and maintain a self sustaining operating budget. Applicants need a demonstrated revenue track record with a product or service relevant to the water, energy and food nexus or to climate resilience. Government entities and individuals applying in a personal capacity are not eligible.

No. Municipalities and governmental or semi governmental entities cannot apply directly. A municipality can take part as a partner, beneficiary, or facilitator in a project led by an eligible entity, without receiving direct funding, subject to a review of compliance arrangements.

Applicants are expected to be legally registered. An entity whose registration is still in progress may be considered on an exceptional basis if it provides a clear, time bound plan to complete licensing and registration. If you are accepted you will need an LLC registration, and registration must be completed before the grant agreement is signed. Attach proof that registration is under way when you submit.

Track 3 is for small, medium, and growing companies in Algeria, Palestine, and Syria. It offers an average grant of about USD 80,000, encourages a contribution of about 25 percent of the grant value, and requires at least one year of operation and annual revenue of at least USD 25,000. Track 4 is dedicated to early stage Syrian projects that are ready for market. It offers a grant of up to USD 30,000, with more flexible financial and operating conditions and contribution percentage is encouraged.

Yes, if it is not financed by the same donor that funds WE4F, is confirmed and available during the award period, and does not result in double funding of the same costs. Supporting documentation is required, and final eligibility is subject to WE4F approval.

The WE4F grant is mainly intended to fund operating costs and direct activities that help you scale, rather than equipment or capital expenditure. Applicants are encouraged to fund equipment through their matching contribution or other sources. Where necessary, a limited amount of equipment can be included in the grant, provided the total proposed equipment stays within about USD 5,000 and is well justified. All proposed equipment is subject to review and approval and is not automatically eligible simply because it appears in the budget.

The EOI form includes all the proposal questions, and the Full Proposal is where you provide deeper detail and additional evidence. You can update and expand your information at the Full Proposal stage and use your EOI answers as a starting point. Core information about the applicant entity, project eligibility, target country, and the innovation should stay consistent, and any substantive change should be explained to the program.

Submit the best financial documents you have. If audited or reviewed statements are available, upload them. If not, you can submit management accounts prepared by your accountant and supported by documents such as bank statements, invoices, accounting records, or tax filings. The program may request additional verification later during evaluation.

Pre existing equipment and premises and their historical purchase cost should not be counted as an in kind contribution. A contribution should be new and dedicated to the project activities after selection. Founders’ or employees’ time is not counted as a general lump sum; where it is proposed, it must be actual, specific, documented, and reasonably valued, and it is subject to review and approval. Where a matching contribution is committed within the approved budget, it must be provided and evidenced according to the timeline and disbursement conditions in the grant agreement.