The IKI Medium Grants 2026 call is run by the German Federal Ministry of Environment, Climate Protection, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). Its aim is to test innovative, locally driven, bottom-up approaches that other non-state actors can take up, and to strengthen civil society structures in partner countries.
This year’s call focuses on two themes. The first, green skills for local climate action, links community-based emissions reduction to green jobs, skills and fair economic participation, especially for women, young people and marginalized groups.
The second, future-proof coasts, supports local stewardship of marine and coastal ecosystems, using simple, accessible digital tools so communities can monitor biodiversity and feed that evidence into decision-making.
Projects take the form of pilot demonstrations, capacity development, or both. They are expected to promote gender justice, equitable North–South partnerships, and lasting results beyond the funding period.
The call includes specific eligibility criteria for lead applicants, implementing partners, and project design. Please refer to the IKI funding announcement for additional information on the call's eligibility criteria.
Lead applicant (implementing organization)
- It must be a civil society organization, university, research institution, or non-profit enterprise. Commercial enterprises and governmental, intergovernmental, multilateral and UN bodies are excluded.
- It must be based in Germany or another EU member state when the outline is submitted. By the first disbursement, it must have a permanent establishment in Germany.
- It must be legally independent, have no intention to make a profit, and the project must sit within its non-profit business area.
- Average annual funding requested must not exceed 50% of its average annual turnover over the last two fiscal years.
- It must show at least three years’ experience in international cooperation and three years in the chosen theme.
- The lead applicant is required to work with one to a maximum of two implementing partners.
Implementing partners
- There must be one or two partners, separate from the lead applicant.
- Partners must be non-profit and legally independent under local law. Legally dependent country offices don’t count.
- At least one partner must be based in the country of implementation. For two-country projects, one partner must be based in each country.
- Each partner must show two years’ experience in the chosen theme.
Project
- It must fit exactly one thematic priority and at least one funding approach (pilot or capacity development).
- It must cover one or two ODA-eligible countries, two only within the same region.
- It must request EUR 300,000 to 800,000 and run for 24 to 36 months.
- It must not have started yet and must need public funding.
- Excluded are institutional funding, pure research, projects mainly carried out in Germany, double funding, and activities on the IKI exclusion list.