Applications are open for VACE Project Agribusiness Product Innovation Support 2026. The Value Chain for Agribusiness, Climate and Employment (VACE) Project is accepting applications from interested and qualified Agri-SMEs with experience in the fields of dairy and cocoa processing, food and beverages, bakery and pastry, agri-food, cosmetics, health and wellness, nutraceuticals, and other value-added industries to be supported in developing New Products and launching these products into the market through a market exhibition that the project will organise.
The VACE Project supports agribusinesses in the ginger, tomato, cocoa, and dairy value chains that promote climate-smart technologies, the circular economy, biodiversity, and backward integration. The project aims to expand processing and value addition, grow businesses, create jobs, increase incomes through economic diversification, and improve food security.
The project’s specific objective (outcome) is to support the development of climate-smart agriculture and aquaculture and the sustainable transformation of agri-SMEs in selected value chains, thereby creating decent job opportunities for young people.
The Value Chain for Agribusiness, Climate and Employment (VACE) Project is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), cofunded by the European Union (EU) and the implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Program Description
The call for applications is specifically looking for processors / product innovators interested in increasing the demand for their products, meeting the needs of their consumers, and increasing the income/profit from their businesses within the Dairy and Cocoa value chain.
The new products could be in the form of:
- Products new to the Market
- Products new to the firm/business
- Minor modifications of existing product(s)
- Completely innovative product
- Improvement/revision of existing product(s)
VACE Project Agribusiness Product Innovation Support Benefits
Selected applicants will benefit from:
- Technical Support: Assistance in developing and launching new products.
- Business Development Support: Guidance to strengthen products and improve business performance.
- Market Exhibition Opportunities: A chance to showcase new products to potential buyers and customers.
- Future Collaboration: Opportunities to work with the project on product development, monitoring, and evaluation.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applications are open to eligible small and medium-sized agribusinesses, food processors, and product innovators working in areas such as:
- Dairy and cocoa processing
- Food and beverages
- Bakery and pastry
- Agrifood processing
- Cosmetics
- Health and wellness
- Nutraceuticals
- Other value-added industries using dairy, cocoa, or their by-products
Eligibility Criteria for VACE Project Agribusiness Product Innovation Support
Applicants should:
- Have experience in dairy or cocoa processing, food production, or a related value-added industry.
- Be willing to develop and launch at least one new product using dairy, cocoa, or their by-products.
- Have an existing product or a plan for developing an innovative product or improving an existing one.
- Operate a legally recognised business, with valid registration and permits, or provide evidence of an ongoing registration process.
- Have at least one existing marketing channel, such as social media, direct orders, retail outlets, supermarkets, or other sales channels.
- Be willing to share the product recipe and collaborate with the project on future monitoring and evaluation activities.
- Demonstrate a willingness to innovate, improve production, and expand market opportunities.
- We highly encourage women- and youth-led SMEs and persons with disabilities operating in Ondo and Cross river (for cocoa) and Oyo, Kaduna, Kano, and Plateau, (for Dairy) to apply.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested and qualified businesses should prepare a detailed proposal explaining their product idea and submit it by email.
- Application Email: flora.asibe@giz.de
- Download the Concept Note: VACE Product Innovation Concept Note
- Applicants are encouraged to review the concept note carefully for the full application requirements before submitting their proposals.
Application Deadline: 27 OCTOBER 2026
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