The Blue Ambition Fund, which is part of the Wilde Ganzen Foundation in the Netherlands, has started looking for people to apply for its 2026 program. This program aims to help young people, aged 15 to 35, and women who are struggling financially, to become more independent. The fund has two main ways of doing this: by helping small businesses grow and create good jobs, and by working with companies to provide short training programs that lead to stable, paid work.
It's worth noting that this particular program is only open to organizations in Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Africa. Although the fund supports projects in other areas as well, this specific call is limited to these three countries. The goal is to create opportunities for marginalized youth and women to gain economic independence and improve their lives.
Key Details
The window to apply opens on July 1, 2026, and they'll be looking at applications as they come in throughout July and August. You need to get yours in by August 15, 2026, or you'll miss your chance. Then, on September 1, 2026, they'll announce which applications have made the cut.
After that, there will be more review, video calls to get to know you better, and some due diligence to make sure everything checks out, all happening in September and October.
Finally, if you're selected, you can expect to sign a contract and start getting funding between November 2026 and January 2027. The grants are pretty substantial, ranging from €100,000 to €300,000, and they'll fund your program for 2 to 3 years.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible, groups must be set up as non-profit in Uganda, Ethiopia, or South Africa - this means big international NGOs and companies that make a profit can't apply. However, social enterprises can try, but they need to show in their official papers how they use their profits to make a positive difference.
These groups must also be completely independent and not take sides in politics, with no ties to any political parties. On top of that, they need to have been around for at least 4 years, which means newer groups can't apply, no matter how good their work is. This rule is in place to ensure that only established organizations with a track record of experience are considered.
To be considered, you need to have a history of successfully training young people or helping small businesses grow. Your organization should also have a budget of between €300,000 and €5 million per year. This means the fund is looking for medium-sized organizations that are already established, rather than very small local groups or large international organizations.
Funding Conditions
These grants usually last for 2 to 3 years, and the amount of money given can be anywhere from €100,000 to €300,000. One important thing to note is that the organizations that get these grants have to contribute some of their own money too - at least 5% in the first year, 10% in the second year, and 15% in the third year, if they get that far.
And here's the thing: some of that contribution has to be actual cash, not just services or support. The people running the project can't spend more than 10% of the total budget on management costs, which is similar to other big grants.
The projects themselves can focus on teaching women and young people new skills, helping small businesses, or doing both. However, giving out small loans or direct investments isn't allowed, although helping entrepreneurs get access to existing financial services can be part of a bigger program.
The Two Core Strategies
Blue Ambition Fund helps organizations that teach young people useful skills for getting a job. These skills are the kind that employers really need, so we work with companies to make sure we're teaching the right things. This way, young people can learn and then get a good job right away.
"In Africa and Asia, small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of the economy, providing around 80% of all jobs. To help these businesses grow and create even more employment opportunities, one approach is to partner with organizations that offer support services tailored to their needs. The idea is simple: by giving small businesses the right kind of help, they can expand, create more jobs, and contribute to the long-term health of local economies. This strategy has the potential to make a real difference, as small businesses are often the driving force behind economic growth and development in these regions."
The fund helps its partner organizations by building their capacity, which means making them stronger and more professional, so they can keep going in the long run. Additionally, the Fund does lobbying and advocacy work to encourage governments and businesses to adopt good practices and make them a part of their policies and daily operations.
Assessment Criteria
When it comes to evaluating proposals, what really matters is whether they are driven by real demand and focused on the market. Do they offer training that is practical, short-term, and easy to get into, done in partnership with the private sector to make sure people actually get jobs? Or do they provide support for small and medium-sized businesses with high potential? It's also important that proposals bring together many different stakeholders and can be scaled up in a way that is cost-efficient. This means the programme should be designed to reach a large number of people without breaking the bank.
Required Documents (Initial Stage)
To start, groups need to fill out a form with their organization's information. They also have to write a short paper, no more than 1,500 words, that explains what they want to do. This paper is like a proposal, where they tell us about their ideas and plans.
Application Process
- Make sure you read the Participation Requirements guidelines carefully to ensure your organization is eligible. Check every criterion to confirm you meet all the requirements.
- Complete the organisational details form
- Write a concept note, maximum 1,500 words
- Email both documents to marit@wildeganzen.nl and esly@wildeganzen.nl
- Submit before 15 August 2026
Selection Process
First of all, they look at the ideas that people have sent in, and they pick the best ones. Then, they ask those people to send in more information, like a report from an outside group that checks their money to make sure everything is okay for 2025. After that, they have a video call with the people from the organizations that made it to the next round. When they're done with those calls, we decide which ones get to send in a full proposal, which includes a thorough check to make sure everything is okay.
Major Considerations
The multi-stage nature of this process means the 1,500-word concept note is really just the opening move, not the full application. Organizations should be prepared for a genuinely thorough vetting process afterward, including a full external financial audit and due diligence review, so financial documentation should be in solid order well before applying, not scrambled together after being shortlisted.
When applying for this grant, organizations should think carefully about their financial situation. They need to contribute some of their own money, starting with 5% and increasing to 15% over three years. This means they have to be realistic about whether they can afford to match the funds. It's not just about getting the initial grant, but also about being able to contribute more money as time goes on. Also, it's worth noting that this particular grant is only available to organizations in Uganda, Ethiopia, and South Africa. If you're based in another African country, you might be interested to know that the Blue Ambition Fund has a broader reach, but this specific funding opportunity is not open to you.
Should You Apply?
This funding opportunity is perfect for well-established non-profit organizations or social enterprises in Uganda, Ethiopia, or South Africa that have a proven track record of helping young people or women develop new skills, or supporting small and medium-sized businesses. To be eligible, these organizations should have been around for at least four years and have an annual budget of between €300,000 and €5 million.
However, this opportunity is not suitable for newer organizations that are still finding their feet, international NGOs that don't have a strong local presence, or for-profit companies that don't have a clear plan for reinvesting their profits in the community. Additionally, organizations based outside of Uganda, Ethiopia, or South Africa are not eligible for this specific funding call.
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