Orange Corners Incubation and Acceleration Component - OCIAC

This Orange Corners subsidy programme provides funding for entrepreneurial training programmes (incubation/acceleration) for young entrepreneurs, between the ages of 18 and 35, in target countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

The subsidy programme provides funds to local organisations to run entrepreneurial training programmes, giving participants the necessary support to build their businesses. Applicants can also use part of the funding to raise awareness of entrepreneurial potential and build their organisation's capacity.

Entrepreneurs participating in the training programmes supported by this subsidy programme will contribute to the United Nations' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They do so through innovative solutions to solve local challenges.

This Orange Corners subsidy programme is a part of Orange Corners. Orange Corners is an initiative of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supports young entrepreneurs in target countries across Africa, Asia and the Middle East with the following:

• training sessions;
• mentorship;
• networks;
• funding; and
• facilities to start and grow businesses.

This subsidy is available for local businesses and civil society organisations registered in one of the target locations (see the 'Target locations' list below) and well-embedded in the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. 

This subsidy programme is for applicants who want to implement an entrepreneurial programme for young entrepreneurs (between 18 and 35) in one of the target locations. And those wanting to create a lasting impact on young entrepreneurs, even after the subsidy period ends.

Applicants should have the capacity, infrastructure, systems and network to manage an entrepreneurial training programme (incubation/acceleration) and have experience in running such programmes.

• A total budget of €12 million is available for the Orange Corners Incubation and Acceleration Component.
• Applicants can apply for a subsidy of up to 75% of the total project costs, up to a maximum of €750,000 in each target location.
• Orange Corners provides 1 subsidy per target location.
• Projects must run for 5 years, between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2028.

Target locations for the Orange Corners training programme include:

*Applicants from cities other than Baghdad in Iraq proper may also apply.

To apply for this subsidy programme, you must meet the following conditions:

• You represent a local enterprise or civil society organisation legally registered in the target location. 
  • Groups or fiscal units can also apply for 1 subsidy per group/fiscal unit.
• You must have the capacity, infrastructure, systems and network to carry out the training programmes in the target location.
• You must have experience in developing and managing entrepreneurial training programmes.
• Please note that this is only a partial list of conditions. Find the complete list in the Administrative Rules under 'Publications'.

To apply for this subsidy, you must first submit a quick scan. The Orange Corners team uses this quick scan to review your project ideas and give you a non-binding recommendation on your proposal. After completing the advisory process, you can decide whether to submit a formal subsidy application.

• You must submit your quick scan at least 2 weeks before the deadline of an application round, as the advisory process may take up to 2 weeks.
• Once you have a recommendation on your quick scan, you can submit your formal subsidy application for your target location. 
• You can only apply during an application round. All dates and the necessary digital application forms are on the apply page. 

Do you have questions, or would you like a consultation with one of our advisors before submitting a quick scan? Please email us at oc@rvo.nl.

• Orange Corners in the Government Gazette (official) (in Dutch, 17 April 2023)
• Unofficial Translation Orange Corners Administrative Rules Government Gazette publication (17 April 2023)

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency carries out Orange Corners on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For more information on Orange Corners projects, please visit the Orange Corners website.