Call for Proposals

26th Call for Proposals

The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) invites applications for financial support from projects that aim to transform commodity value chains and uplift smallholder and SME-based enterprises in CFC member countries. The CFC provides a variety of financial and technical support options to empower SMEs, cooperatives, International Commodity Bodies (ICBs), and other institutions, particularly those led by or supporting women in agriculture.

Our mission is to alleviate poverty and create sustainable livelihoods in commodity-dependent communities, with a strong emphasis on supporting the poorest and most vulnerable in the global value chains, including in areas of production, processing, financing, marketing, and R&D. Successful applications should demonstrate tangible, sustainable impacts on the lives of low-income populations who depend on commodities, with particular focus on female smallholders and women-led enterprises.

OUR MISSION

To contribute to poverty alleviation by strengthening the income-generating capacity of commodity producers and mitigating vulnerability to their economic well being.

OUR VISION

To strengthen and diversify the commodity sector in developing countries and transform it to be a major contributor to poverty alleviation and sustained economic growth and development.

The CFC is particularly interested in proposals from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to maximize poverty alleviation in the developing world. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we are committed to advancing gender equality, promoting climate action, and supporting resilient economies by closing the economic opportunity gap for women and ensuring that agricultural growth benefits both people and the planet.

To enable a technology-enabled transformation, we also invite innovative ideas that can drive impactful change within commodity value chains. This may include partnerships in agritech, agroforestry, agro-ecology, regenerative practices, renewable energy solutions, digital agriculture, climate-friendly practices, and advanced traceability (e.g., blockchain) to ensure equitable and transparent value chains.

Financing can be provided in the form of loans for capital expenditures, working capital or trade finance to invest in productivity and value chain upgrading involving smallholders and/or SMEs. Applications should clearly show operational and financial viability, and be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable.

Women entrepreneurs are strongly encouraged to apply, as their success is essential to achieving inclusive, sustainable growth across the commodity sector. The CFC is committed to ensuring that our resources are available for both the digital and green transitions, ultimately supporting resilient, equitable commodity systems for both the consumers and producers.

How to apply:

All interested SMEs/enterprises/businesses/cooperatives/financial institutions/governments are kindly invited to submit qualifying proposals no later than 1 April 2025.

All applicants are requested to submit the qualifying proposals at - opencall@common-fund.org

Please note that Application form and Balance Sheet/Income Statement may be submitted in ENGLISH ONLY.

For full details, please download the call for proposals application form and the Balance Sheet/Income statement:

Application form (PDF and Word)
General: Balance Sheet and Income Statement (Excel)
Financial Institutions only: Balance Sheet and Income Statement (Excel)

Application form and General: Balance Sheet/Income Statement in other languages please see below:

Should the CFC Open Call Application form be completed in English?

Application forms may be submitted in English only.

Is my country eligible to apply for the Open Call for Proposals?

Yes, if the country where your project will operate is a Member State* of the CFC, you are eligible to apply for the proposal to be implemented within a Member State.

* https://common-fund.org/about-us/member-states

Can an organization in a non-member CFC country apply?

Yes, provided that all activities financed by the CFC are implemented in a Member State of the CFC.

Can a start-up company apply?

The CFC does not finance start-up companies.

Eligible proposals must demonstrate a track record of at least 3 years (addressing substantive as well as financial issues).

The existence of a credible historical period of operations (documented by audited financial statements) is important.

Does the CFC provide Humanitarian/ Educational / Medical aid?

The goal of the CFC is to advance development in commodity-dependent developing countries.

Matters covered by other international organisations, such as research, humanitarian aid, educational, medical issues fall outside the CFC’s mandate.

What is the meaning of SDGs and IRR%?

SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals (UN).

For further information, please refer to the website of the UN https://sdgs.un.org

IRR%: Internal Rate of Return

What is the maximum amount of CFC funding?

The CFC funds projects with loan and other debt instruments.

The maximum amount is USD 1.5 million for regular projects, and up to USD 300,000 under the Fast-Track procedure.

However, we show some flexibility when we have projects with higher impacts and good case of finance.

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