The European Union-Philippines’ Green Economy Partnership program recently launched an initiative that calls for projects aimed at strengthening the potential of eco-businesses across the Philippines and address gaps in the circular and green economy business ecosystem.
The initiative, named “Green Up to Scale Up,” will provide grants of between EUR200,000-500,000 (PHP12-31 million), for a total of EUR1.5 million (PHP93 million).
The grants target organizations that help up-and-coming eco-entrepreneurs to develop successful businesses (“startup enablers”). The first phase of the application period will run until May 2, 2025.
In addition to receiving funding, grantees will be able to benefit from technical assistance, making sure that they are well-equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to help green businesses innovate.
Implemented in the Philippines by Expertise France together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), “Green Up to Scale Up” aims to propel the creation and growth of innovative circular and green startup initiatives.
This initiative has been designed in consultation with entrepreneurs, incubators, accelerators, regional and national government officials, and other key actors.
The goal has been to ensure that it addresses the roadblocks faced by the green business ecosystem, and caters to the needs of green startup enablers.
“The Green Economy partnership is a unique program under the EU Global Gateway strategy to mobilize sustainable investments. The ‘Green Up to Scale Up’ grant initiative is an important milestone in this partnership, and we hope that it will promote business innovations towards a greener and climate-smart economy in the Philippines,” EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro said.
“We invite all startup enablers that are involved in circular and green businesses to apply for the grant. We have co-designed the program with key ecosystem actors and stakeholders, so this grant is a hundred percent for them,” EU-PH Green Economy Partnership’s component on Green Business, Infrastructure, and Finance Project Leader Marie-Maylis Charlat said.
