Orange Corners Incubation and Acceleration Component - OCIAC

What is the Orange Corners Incubation and Acceleration Component?

The OCIAC 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.

Orange Corners

This OCIAC 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.

Orange Corners also strengthens local entrepreneurial ecosystems through projects that focus on policy development, entrepreneurial education, access to finance, and so on. Via these projects, Orange Corners contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic growth and decent work for all.

For whom?

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. 

The 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.

Budget and duration

A total budget of €12 million was available for the first 2 subsidy rounds in 2023. An extra €1.2 million was available for the third subsidy round, which closed in July 2024.

• Applicants can apply for a subsidy of up to 75% of the total project costs, up to a maximum of €600,000 in each target location.
• Orange Corners provides 1 subsidy per target location.
• Projects must run for 4 years, between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2028.
   

Target locations

Target locations for the Orange Corners training programme include: 

• Algeria
• Angola
• Burundi
• Côte d'Ivoire
• The Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Iraq (excluding the Kurdistan region of Iraq) 
• Kurdistan region of Iraq
• Mali
• Morocco
• Mozambique
• Nigeria
• Palestinian Territories
• Senegal
• Sudan
• South Africa
• South Sudan

Conditions

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'.

How to apply?

Step 1. Submit a quick scan

To apply for this subsidy, you must first submit a mandatory quick scan. 

Please note that OCIAC is now closed for quick scan submissions.

On the basis of your quick scan, you will receive a non-binding recommendation. After this, you can apply for an OCIAC subsidy. 

• Please carefully read the administrative rules listed under 'Publications' before completing your quick scan. 
• Use the overview of quick scan questions listed under 'Reference documents'.
• Submit your quick scan at least two weeks before the application round deadline, as the advisory process may take up to two weeks.

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. 

Step 2. Submit a formal subsidy application 

You can only apply during an application round. OCIAC is closed for applications at this time. We will publish any new rounds on this webpage.

1. You can find the necessary application forms on this page (below).
2. Carefully read all documents listed under 'Downloads' and 'Reference documents' before you apply.
3. You must include all required documents with your application.
4. Submit your full proposal via the online form. 

Required documents

You must submit a complete application in English, including all required documents. Make sure you include the following:

• Quick scan recommendation reference number; 
• Activity Plan, including a risk analysis (see the form under 'Downloads');
• Budget (see the form under 'Downloads');
• Activities timeline;
• CVs of the applicant's staff members who will be involved in the implementation of the activities;
• At least 1 Letter of Intent from a private organisation supporting its contribution and the proposed activities (see the form under 'Downloads');
• The most recent financial statements for years T-1 and T-2 (the 2 previous years), reviewed by an external, independent accountant. If reviewed financial statements are unavailable, please include 1 or more non-reviewed ones.

Downloads

You must upload the following documents with your application. Please complete them in English.

Reference documents

Please carefully read these documents before applying.

Following your application

Within 13 weeks of the closing date, we will tell you whether your application meets the subsidy criteria.

We will assess your application based on the criteria in the Administrative Rules listed under 'Publications'.

Orange Corners only assesses applications that meet all the conditions. Applications qualify for a subsidy if they score at least 65 out of 100 points. The highest-scoring application will qualify first, then the second-highest-scoring application, and so on.

Publications

Government Gazette publication, OCIAC, 14 March 2024, third opening (in Dutch);
Government Gazette publication, OCIAC, 17 April 2023, first and second opening (in Dutch).

More information

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.