BeGreen Programme 2025 for Young African Entrepreneurs (Up to USD 5,000 Grant)

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Applications are open for BeGreen Programme 2025. The BeGreen Programme is a practical entrepreneurship programme for young founders ready to launch or grow businesses that contribute to sustainability. You’ll gain the core skills to build, refine, and pitch your business and compete for milestone-based grant funding of up to $5,000.

This programme is made possible through a partnership with Generation Unlimited and UNICEF, as part of a shared commitment to expanding opportunities for young people in the Green Economy. The current BeGreen Programme builds on the success of its first iteration, expanding its reach and impact in this second cycle.

The BeGreen Programme is built to equip young entrepreneurs with practical skills to build, run, and grow businesses in the Green Economy.

BeGreen Objectives

The BeGreen Programme is designed not only to grow businesses but also to generate lasting impact across communities and economies. Our core objectives are to:

Drive economic prosperity by enabling sustainable business models in the green economy.
Create jobs and new revenue streams through youth-led enterprises that scale and sustain themselves.
Strengthen local economies by supporting ventures that address environmental challenges while generating economic value.
Promote inclusive growth, ensuring that opportunities in the green economy are accessible to diverse young entrepreneurs.
Foster long-term resilience by equipping entrepreneurs to build businesses that benefit both people and the planet.

BeGreen Programme Benefits

As a participant in the BeGreen Programme, you’ll gain access to world-class support designed to accelerate your entrepreneurial journey:

Seed Funding: Up to 85 finalists will receive funding of up to USD 5,000 to grow their ventures.
Micro-Grants & Wrap-Around Services: Ongoing financial and business development support tailored to your needs.
Customised Learning Journey: Training pathways adapted to your business stage, readiness, and appetite for growth.
Sector-Specific Curriculum: Content customised to your green sector, ensuring relevance to your industry.
Learning Opportunities: Access to a broad range of courses and resources to strengthen your skills.
Mentorship & Coaching: Guidance from industry experts, plus access to networking and industry-specific events.
Incubation Support: Continued support beyond the programme to help scale and sustain your business.

Eligibility Criteria

We welcome entrepreneurs at different stages of their business journey, and we have designed customized pathways for each:

Ideation Stage (0–3 months; prototype not yet tested)
Aspiring entrepreneurs with a strong idea but not yet a tested prototype. You will receive support in defining and developing your business idea, with human-centered design (HCD) activities integrated into Learning Block 1.
New Business Stage (3–6 months; prototype developed/tested)
Entrepreneurs who have developed and tested a prototype. You will build a strong business model, refine your solution through design thinking, and develop a compelling business plan.
Existing Businesses (6+ months; generating revenue or with a plan to become profitable)
Entrepreneurs are already running ventures. You may qualify to move directly to the Live Pitching Event, with earlier phases available as optional support.

Applicants must be: