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#GreenCatalyst is a special initiative under the FUNGUO Innovation Programme that aims to promote innovation and sustainability within the forest-based value chains, increase rural employment, and unlock investment in green MSMEs. The call specifically targets innovative Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within the forestry value chain that are led or largely benefit youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
Application Deadline: 15 August 2025
The FUNGUO Innovation Programme is a multi-partner initiative aimed at unlocking the potential of impact-driven startups and innovative micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Tanzania through catalytic funding, technical assistance and ecosystem strengthening. Co-funded by the European Union, the British Government (FCDO) and the Republic of Finland, the programme is implemented by UNDP Tanzania in collaboration enterprise support organizations such as ANZA, WSHA, and StartHub Africa, as well as government partners including COSTECH and others.
This initiative complements the ongoing Finland-funded FORLAND Project (Forestry, Land Use and Value Chains), and contributes to increasing rural jobs in the forest sector through innovation, skills development, and access to finance.
We are looking for early-stage or scaling MSMEs that:
• Are registered innovative early-stage ventures, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, with proof of operations or traction; majority owned by Tanzanian citizens.
• Operate within the forestry value chain (e.g. wood processing, eco-products, charcoal alternatives, joinery or and furniture, beekeeping and bee products, bamboo products innovations, essential oils, digital forestry services etc.).
• Are led by or significantly engaging youth (18–35), women, and persons with disabilities.
• Are based in, or with strong business linkages to Iringa, Njombe, Ruvuma and Lindi;
• Demonstrate innovation, environmental sustainability, and climate-smart solutions.
• Require catalytic support to improve operations, access markets, expand business or attract investment.
Competitively selected ventures will receive:
• Catalytic grant funding of between TZS 10 million and up to TZS 100 million.
• Tailored technical assistance, including mentorship, business development support, and training in climate-smart innovation and digital tools.
• Linkages to additional finance and markets through investor matchmaking and ecosystem events.
• Sustainable furniture and woodcraft products
• Alternative charcoal or bio-briquettes
• Bamboo value chain products
• Eco-packaging made from forest residues
• Essential oils and natural product extraction
• Forestry mapping and digital monitoring tools
• Forestry-based tourism or education
• Forest-friendly agribusiness or agroforestry models
• Engineered wood and forest products
• Non-timber forest product businesses
• Wood Kiln Drying Services
• Beekeeping and bee products
• Small-scale Sawmilling & Mobile Mills
• Sustainable Construction Materials
• Forestry Tool Rental Hub
• Furniture & Woodcraft Workshops
Applications must be submitted electronically via the online application portal [APPLY NOW]. The submission should include:
• Completed electronic application form
• Brief business plan or pitch deck
• Proof of registration or legal existence
• Proof of traction
All applications will be assessed based on:
• Eligibility & Compliance
• Relevance to Forestry Value Chain
• Innovation & Sustainability
• Business Viability & Scalability
• Impact on Jobs & Inclusion
A transparent, merit-based evaluation process will be conducted by a combination of experts in forestry, finance, investment and innovation.
The following rubric will guide reviewers to assign scores objectively across all applications. Suggested total score: 100 points
Criteria | Indicators | Max Score |
1. Eligibility & Compliance | Application complete, legally registered, meets target group criteria; within or with strong linkage to Iringa, Njombe, Ruvuma and Lindi | 10 |
2. Relevance to Forestry Value Chain | Clear involvement in any stage of forestry value chain with demonstrable activities. | 15 |
3. Innovation & Sustainability | Originality of solution, potential to contribute to low-carbon or climate-smart outcomes. | 30 |
4. Business Viability& Scalability | Clarity of business model, growth potential, use of funds, budget clarity. | 30 |
5. Impact on Jobs & Inclusion | Demonstrated or potential impact on job creation, especially for youth/women/PWD. | 15 |
Interested applicants are encouraged to attend virtual and/or in-person information sessions that may be hosted in Iringa, Njombe, Ruvuma, Lindi and Dar es Salaam. Dates will be announced via FUNGUO social media platforms.
These sessions will be used to respond to questions and guide applicants through the process.
Tarehe ya mwisho ya kuwasilisha maombi: 15 Agosti 2025
Mpango wa Ubunifu wa FUNGUO ni mpango shirikishi wa wadau mbalimbali unaolenga kufungua fursa kwa biashara changa zenye athari chanya na hasa biashara changa, ndogo na za kati bunifu nchini Tanzania kupitia ufadhili wa kichocheo, msaada wa kiufundi na kuimarisha mazingira ya mfumo wa ubunifu. Mpango huu unafadhiliwa na Umoja wa Ulaya, Serikali ya Uingereza na Jamhuri ya Finland, ukitekelezwa na UNDP Tanzania kwa kushirikiana na mashirika kama ANZA, WSHA, StartHub Africa, na COSTECH.
#GreenCatalyst ni mradi maalum chini ya FUNGUO unaolenga kukuza ubunifu na ujasiriamali katika mnyororo wa thamani wa misitu na mazao ya misitu, kuongeza ajira vijijini na kuvutia uwekezaji. Mradi unawalenga biashara zinazomilikiwa au kunufaisha vijana, wanawake na watu wenye ulemavu. Unasaidia utekelezaji wa Mradi wa FORLAND unaofadhiliwa na Finland.
- Biashara changa, ndogo au ya kati iliyosajiliwa na kumilikiwa na watanzania kwa asilimia kubwa (angalau 51%)
- Biashara iwe katika mnyororo wa thamani wa misitu na mazao ya misitu
- Biashara iwe inaongozwa au kunufaisha vijana (18–35), wanawake, au watu wenye ulemavu
-Biashara iwe ndani ya (au iwe na uhusiano wa karibu na) Iringa, Njombe, Ruvuma au Lindi
- Biashara ionyeshe ubunifu na uendelevu wa mazingira
- Inahitaji msaada wa kichocheo ili kukuza shughuli au kuvutia uwekezaji
- Ufadhili wa TZS milioni 10 hadi 100
- Msaada wa kiufundi maalum kwa ajili ya kuendeleza Biashara.
- Fursa ya kuunganishwa na masoko na fedha kupitia fursa na utambulisho mbalimbali.
Samani endelevu na bidhaa za ufundi wa mbao
• Mkaa mbadala
• Bidhaa katika mnyororo wa thamani wa mianzi
• Ufungashaji rafiki kwa mazingira unaotokana na mabaki ya misitu
• Mafuta muhimu na uchakataji wa bidhaa asilia
• Huduma za misitu na zana za ufuatiliaji au tathimini zakidijitali kwenye misitu
• Utalii ikolojia au elimu inayotegemea misitu
• Biashara za kilimo rafiki kwa misitu au modeli za kilimo-misitu (agroforestry)
• Bidhaa za mbao zilizotengenezwa kwa teknolojia ya kisasa na bidhaa za misitu
• Biashara za bidhaa za misitu zisizo mbao (non-timber)
• Huduma za kukaushia mbao kwa kutumia majiko maalum (kiln drying)
• Ufugaji wa nyuki na biashara ya mazao ya nyuki
• Uchakataji mdogo wa mbao na mitambo ya kuchakata mbao inayotembea
• Vifaa vya ujenzi endelevu
• Kituo cha kukodisha zana za kazi za misitu
• Warsha za utengenezaji wa samani na bidhaa za ufundi wa mbao
Maombi yawasilishwe kwa njia ya mtandao kupitia [BOFYA HAPA KUWASILISHA OMBI], yakiwa yamejumuisha:
• Fomu kamili
• Hati au Ushahidi wa usajili
• Ushahidi wa mafanikio ya awali (traction)
Mchakato wa tathmini ya maobi utakaotumika ni wa wazi na wa haki, ukiongozwa na vigezo vya sifa na unaotekelezwa na wataalamu kutoka nyanja za misitu, fedha, uwekezaji na ubunifu.
Jedwali lifuatalo litatumika kuwaongoza wachambuzi katika kutoa alama kwa haki kwa kila ombi.
Jumla ya alama zinazopendekezwa: 100
Kigezo | Kiashiria | Alamaza Juu |
1. Uhalali naUzingatiaji vigezo | Ombi limekamilika, biashara imesajiliwa kisheria, linakidhi masharti ya kundi lengwa; ipo au inauhusiano wa karibu na Iringa, Njombe, Ruvuma naLindi | 10 |
2. Uhusiano na Mnyororo wa Thamani wa Misitu | Ushiriki wa wazi katika hatua yoyote ya mnyororo wa thamani wa misitu, ukiambatana na shughuli za wazi | 15 |
3. Ubunifu naUendelevu | Ubunifu wa suluhisho, uwezo wa kuchangia katikajuhudi za kuzuia na kuhimili mabadiliko ya tabianchi | 30 |
4. Uhai wa Biashara naUwezo wa Kukua | Uwazi wa mfumo wa biashara, uwezo wa kukua, matumizi ya fedha, na uwazi wa bajeti | 30 |
5. Athari kwa Ajira na Ushirikishwaji | Mchango unaooneshwa au unaotarajiwa katika uzalishaji wa ajira, hususan kwa vijana, wanawake, au watu wenye ulemavu | 15 |
Waombaji wanahimizwa kuhudhuria vikao vya maelezo vitakavyofanyika Iringa, Njombe, Ruvuma, Lindi na Dar es Salaam au kwa njia ya mtandao. Taarifa zitatolewa kupitia mitandao ya FUNGUO. Vikao hivi vitatumika kujibu maswali na kuwaelekeza waombaji katika mchakato mzima.
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