Agribusiness SMEs, food processors and product innovators can apply for the Agribusiness Product Innovation Support 2026, an initiative helping businesses develop new products and improve existing ones using dairy, cocoa and their by-products.
The opportunity is delivered through the Value Chain for Agribusiness, Climate and Employment (VACE) Project, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), commissioned by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-funded by the European Union.
Selected businesses will receive technical assistance, business development support and opportunities to showcase their products at market exhibitions. Applications close on October 27, 2026.
The initiative focuses on helping agribusinesses turn agricultural raw materials and by-products into marketable products. Prototype IdeasIt aims to strengthen local processing and value addition while helping businesses improve their products, reach more customers and expand their operations.
Eligible product areas include dairy and cocoa processing, food and beverages, bakery and pastry, cosmetics, health and wellness products, nutraceuticals and related value-added industries using dairy, cocoa or their by-products.
Do you run an agribusiness, food-processing business, or have an innovative product idea involving dairy or cocoa? This opportunity could help you develop your product, grow your business, and reach new markets.
The VACE Project is inviting eligible agribusiness SMEs, food processors, and product innovators to apply for technical and business development support.
📌 OPPORTUNITY DETAILS
🏢 PROJECT: Value Chain for Agribusiness, Climate and Employment (VACE)
🤝 IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
🇪🇺 CO-FUNDED BY: European Union (EU)
🇩🇪 COMMISSIONED BY: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
📅 APPLICATION DEADLINE: 27 October 2026
🎯 WHO CAN APPLY?
Eligible small and medium-sized businesses and product innovators working in:
✅ Dairy and cocoa processing
✅ Food and beverage production
✅ Bakery and pastry
✅ Agrifood processing
✅ Cosmetics
✅ Health and wellness
✅ Nutraceuticals
✅ Other value-added industries using dairy, cocoa, or their by-products
🎁 WHAT WILL SELECTED BUSINESSES RECEIVE?
🔹 Technical assistance to develop and launch new products.
🔹 Business development guidance to strengthen products and improve business performance.
🔹 Opportunities to showcase products at market exhibitions.
🔹 Potential collaboration on product development, monitoring, and evaluation.
📋 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
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 to develop or improve one.
• Have a legally recognized business, valid registration and permits, or evidence of an ongoing registration process.
• Have at least one marketing channel, such as social media, direct sales, retail outlets, or supermarkets.
• Be willing to share the product recipe and participate in monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Demonstrate a commitment to innovation, improved production, and business growth.
📩 HOW TO APPLY
Prepare a detailed proposal explaining your product idea and email it to:
📧 flora.asibe@giz.de
📄 IMPORTANT: Review the VACE Product Innovation Concept Note referenced in the original announcement for the full application instructions and requirements before submitting your proposal.
⏳ DEADLINE: 27 OCTOBER 2026
📢 Know an agribusiness entrepreneur, food processor, or product innovator who could benefit? Share this opportunity with them!