Matching Grants Scheme under the Green Heart of Africa - Tikope Alendo ndi Zachilngedwe m’Malawi (TAZA) Programme

The European Commission's Matching Grants Scheme under the Green Heart of Africa (TAZA) Programme (Ref: EuropeAid) offers a single action grant with a total budget of €3,200,000 to support eco- and community tourism development in Malawi. Eligible lead applicants are non-profit legal entities, including NGOs, public bodies and intergovernmental organisations, and all activities must be implemented in Malawi with a focus on capacity building, economic development, environment, and women and youth empowerment. The grant covers up to 90% of eligible costs and requires matching funds, and applications follow a two-stage concept note then full application process submitted via the PROSPECT/EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Concept notes must be submitted by 31 March 2026 and applicants should consult the call Guidelines and annexes on the portal for detailed eligibility, budget and application templates.

Quick overview

Essential facts

Action grants under the TAZA programme to finance Matching Grants in support of activities linked to the Green Heart of Africa initiative in Malawi. The call is published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal EuropeAid.

Total budget:€3,200,000 available in this call ¹.

Who can apply:Organisations meeting the call eligibility and selection rules for action grants as specified in the call documents; applicants should consult the Guidelines and Annexes for details on eligible applicant types and required documentation ¹.

1. 1Call type: Action grants (Matching Grants Scheme).
2. 2Geographical focus: Malawi (Sub-Saharan Africa).
3. 3Publication date: 11 February 2026.
4. 4Deadline: 31 March 2026, 10:00:24 UTC.

Start your application and download all call documents, templates and annexes from the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: TAZA Matching Grants call. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Guidelines and full set of annexes (application forms, contractual templates and eligibility rules) are published with the call on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Basic Opportunity Data

Title:Matching Grants Scheme under the Green Heart of Africa - Tikope Alendo ndi Zachilngedwe m’Malawi (TAZA) Programme. Reference: EuropeAid. Publication date on portal: 11 February 2026. Last updated: 10 February 2026. Deadline for submission: 31 March 2026, 10:00:33 UTC. Action type on portal: Action Grants. Total indicative budget published: €3,200,000. Geographical focus: Sub-Saharan Africa, country focus Malawi.

Primary Documents and Templates Provided

The call page includes a package of annexes and templates intended to guide applicants and to be used in application and contract execution. Key documents listed on the call page are: Annex A1 Grant application form - Concept note Stage; Annex A2 Grant application form - Full application; Annex B - Budget; Annex C - Logical framework; Annex D - Identification form (private or public law body with legal form); Annex F - PADOR offline registration form; Annex G - Standard grant contract (special conditions); Annex H - Declaration of honour on exclusion and selection criteria; Annex II - General conditions; Annex IV - Procurement rules for beneficiaries; Annex V - Standard request for payment; Annex VI (1,2,3) model interim/final narrative and cost-based financial report; Annex VII-A expenditure verification templates and terms of reference; Annex VIII - Model financial guarantee; Annex IX - Transfer of ownership of assets; Annex J - Information on the tax regime applicable to grant contracts; Annex L - Self-evaluation questionnaire on SEA-H; Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA; Appendix - Derogations international organisations. These files constitute the official application and contract templates and must be consulted and used where applicable.

Where to start:Start submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity page and follow the guidance in the call-specific Guidelines and Annex application forms. See the portal link in footnote ¹.

1. 1Call reference and title: EuropeAid - Matching Grants Scheme under the Green Heart of Africa - TAZA.
2. 2Total indicative budget: €3,200,000.
3. 3Deadline: 31/03/2026 10:00:33 UTC.
4. 4Geographical zone: Sub-Saharan Africa; Country: Malawi.
5. 5Action type: Action Grants (matching grants scheme).
6. 6Publication date: 11/02/2026 (portal).

Eligibility and Applicant Requirements (as indicated by available documents)

The portal documents and annexes imply that eligible applicants are legal entities that can be private or public law bodies. The presence of Annex D Identification form (private or public law body with legal form) and the Appendix on derogations for international organisations indicates the call is structured for organisations (not individuals). Specific eligibility criteria, exclusion and selection rules are documented in Annex H Declaration of honour on exclusion and selection criteria and in the Guidelines for grant applicant (restricted CfP - TAZA). Applicants should consult those documents for detailed conditions such as legal status, financial and operational capacity, and exclusion grounds.

Eligible Applicant Types (inferred from provided annexes):The call materials and forms indicate eligibility is aimed at organisational entities that can sign grant contracts: private law bodies, public law bodies, non-profit organisations, civil society organisations and potentially international organisations (derogations appendix). The portal does not present the full eligibility list in the scraped excerpt; applicants must consult the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA and Annex H for detailed, binding eligibility rules.

Funding Mechanism and Financial Details

Funding type:Action Grant (matching grants scheme). The call is labelled as a Matching Grants Scheme under the TAZA programme, indicating financial support in the form of grants allocated to actions that will typically require matching contributions (see co-funding note below). The portal shows a total budget of €3,200,000 but does not list individual award sizes in the scraped text. Applicants must consult Annex B Budget and the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA for the specific grant sizes, eligible costs, maximum EU contribution per project, and matching rate rules.

Co-funding Requirement:The call title references a Matching Grants Scheme, which by definition implies that beneficiaries are expected to provide a matching contribution (co-funding) alongside the grant. The explicit percentage or financial arrangements are not present in the scraped excerpt; applicants should consult the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA and Annex B Budget for exact co-financing requirements, acceptable sources of co-funding, and in-kind contribution rules.

Consortium and Application Structure

The scraped content does not explicitly state whether applications must be single-entity only or can be consortia. The set of documents includes a full application form (Annex A2) and a concept note stage form (Annex A1), implying a two-stage submission process (concept note first, full application for shortlisted applicants). Annex D identification form (private or public law) indicates each submitting legal entity must be identified. For consortium-specific rules, lead applicant roles, and required partner documentation, consult the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA and Annex A2 Grant application form - Full application.

1. 1Consortium requirement: Not explicitly stated in the scraped excerpt; likely allows legal entities and possibly consortia—check Guidelines and Annex A2 for clarity.
2. 2Application stages: Concept note stage (Annex A1) followed by Full application (Annex A2) — indicates a two-stage call structure.
3. 3Submission method: Electronic submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal submission service (Start submission button shown on portal).

Geographic and Thematic Scope

Geographical eligibility:The action is targeted to Sub-Saharan Africa with country focus Malawi. The opportunity page explicitly lists Malawi as the geographical zone for this call. The overall programme context is Green Heart of Africa.

Target Sectors and Thematic Focus:While the scraped extract does not provide a full description of the eligibility of activities, the programme title 'Green Heart of Africa' and the TAZA programme name which translates as caring for people and the environment (Tikope Alendo ndi Zachilngedwe m’Malawi) strongly indicate the focus is on environment/green economy, natural resource management, biodiversity, climate-related actions and community-based sustainable development in Malawi. Applicants should consult the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA for eligible action types and thematic priorities.

Project Stage and Expected Maturity

The opportunity is an Action Grant for implementing activities on the ground (matching grants). This implies projects should be at an implementation or demonstration stage rather than pure research or ideation. Exact preferred project maturity (pilot, scale-up, community implementation) is to be confirmed in the Guidelines and in the application forms (Annex A1/A2).

Application Process and Templates

The call has an apparent two-stage submission process:a concept note stage (Annex A1) and, for shortlisted applicants, a full application stage using Annex A2. The following core application templates are provided on the portal and must be completed where applicable: Annex A1 Concept Note; Annex A2 Full Application; Annex B Budget template; Annex C Logical framework; Annex D Identification form; Annex H Declaration of honour; Annex F PADOR offline registration; and supporting contract and reporting templates (Annex G, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX, J, II, IV). Applicants must use the official templates and follow the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA.

1. 1Concept note: Use Annex A1 Grant application form - Concept note Stage. This is the first selection stage.
2. 2Full application: Shortlisted applicants (from concept note stage) will submit Annex A2 Grant application form - Full application plus Annex B Budget and Annex C Logical framework and supporting annexes.
3. 3Identification and eligibility documentation: Annex D Identification form, Annex H Declaration of honour on exclusion and selection criteria, and PADOR offline form (Annex F) where applicable.
4. 4Contracting and financial documentation: Annex G Standard grant contract (special conditions), Annex II General conditions, Annex VIII Model financial guarantee, Annex V Request for payment and Annex VI reporting templates.
5. 5Procurement and asset rules: Annex IV Procurement rules for beneficiaries, Annex IX Transfer of ownership of assets.

Assessment Stages, Evaluation and Success Rate

Based on the presence of a concept note form (Annex A1) and a full application form (Annex A2), the application process entails at least two evaluation stages: an initial concept note triage and a detailed evaluation of the full application for shortlisted proposals. The scraped content does not give evaluation criteria, scoring weights, or historical success rates. The Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA and the full call fiche and evaluation grid (if published) will provide exact selection criteria, award methodology and scoring. Applicants should consult these documents on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for precise evaluation rules.

Financial Management, Reporting and Compliance

The portal lists comprehensive annexes addressing financial reporting and compliance:Annex VI model financial and narrative reports, Annex VII-A expenditure verification templates and terms of reference for verification/report of fact-finding, Annex V standard request for payment, Annex VIII model financial guarantee, Annex IV procurement rules for beneficiaries. These documents indicate the grant will require regular financial reporting, possibly expenditure verification for cost-based actions, and adherence to procurement rules and asset ownership transfer rules. Detailed obligations are in the Standard grant contract (Annex G) and General conditions (Annex II).

Known Limitations and Missing Information in the Scraped Extract

The scraped content provides the call title, reference, budget, deadline, and a list of annexes but does not include: exact eligibility criteria (detailed list of eligible applicant categories), maximum and minimum grant amounts per award, exact co-financing percentage, permissible activities and specific thematic priorities, consortium rules (lead applicant, partners, third parties), evaluation criteria and scoring, award notice dates, duration of the action, payment schedule, or detailed selection process timelines. Applicants must download and read the full Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA and the Annex A forms and supporting annexes to obtain those critical details.

Summary and Practical Next Steps

This opportunity is a restricted call under the Green Heart of Africa TAZA programme offering action grants through a Matching Grants Scheme with a total indicative budget of €3.2 million, focused on Malawi. It is published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal with a deadline of 31 March 2026. The portal provides all template documents and guidance needed to apply. The application process is at least two-stage (concept note then full application). Applicants should carefully review the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA, the Annex A forms, Annex B Budget and Annex C Logical Framework, and prepare required identification, declaration and financial documentation. Given the matching grants nature of the scheme, expect co-financing/matching contribution requirements, reporting obligations, procurement rules and potential expenditure verification.

Immediate actions recommended for applicants:1) Download and read the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA and all annexes listed on the portal. 2) Confirm organisational eligibility using Annex H Declaration of honour and Annex D Identification form. 3) Prepare a concise concept note using Annex A1 and the logical framework Annex C. 4) Prepare budget using Annex B and confirm availability of co-funding. 5) Register or update organisation details on PADOR if required and ensure portal account is ready for electronic submission prior to the deadline.

Categorisation Answers (structured responses)

Eligible Applicant Types:The call documentation and templates indicate eligibility is for organisations capable of signing grant contracts: private law bodies, public law bodies, non-profit organisations and likely international organisations under derogations. Individuals are not supported. Precise categories (e.g., NGOs, CSOs, SMEs, local authorities) must be verified in the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA and Annex H.

Funding Type:Grant (Action Grants). The scheme is described as a Matching Grants Scheme which implies grant awards requiring matching contributions.

Consortium Requirement:Not explicitly stated in the scraped excerpt. Application architecture (concept note then full application) is present. The call likely accepts single applicants and may permit partnerships/consortia; check Annex A2 and Guidelines for precise rules on lead applicants, partners and third parties.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Sub-Saharan Africa with country focus Malawi. The portal lists Malawi as the geographic zone for this call.

Target Sector:Environment / Green economy / Natural resource management / Climate and community-based sustainable development (inferred from Green Heart of Africa and TAZA programme title). Exact thematic priorities are defined in the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA.

Mentioned Countries:Malawi (explicit). Region: Sub-Saharan Africa (explicit).

Project Stage:Implementation / on-the-ground action and demonstration. The action grant and matching grants format imply readiness to implement after award rather than early-stage research.

Funding Amount:Total indicative call budget €3,200,000. Individual grant award amounts or ranges are not provided in the scraped excerpt; see Annex B and the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA for per-project ceilings or indicative award ranges.

Application Type:Open call for submissions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, using a two-stage submission sequence (concept note then full application) as indicated by Annex A1 and Annex A2. Submission is electronic via the portal 'Start submission' service.

Nature of Support:Monetary grants (matching grants) with contractual reporting and compliance obligations. Non-financial support such as technical guidance may be provided through program management, but the core support is financial grant funding.

Application Stages:At least 2 (concept note selection stage using Annex A1, then Full application stage using Annex A2 for shortlisted applicants).

Success Rates:Not disclosed in the scraped content. Success rate will depend on the number and quality of submissions and on the call’s selection criteria; applicants should assume competitive selection and consult the Guidelines for evaluation criteria.

Co-funding Requirement:Implied yes (matching grants). The exact co-funding rate and eligible forms of matching contribution must be obtained from the Guidelines and Annex B Budget template.

Templates: Application Form Structure (based on annex list):The application process uses the following templates and their expected structure: Annex A1 Concept Note (short-format project summary, objectives, expected results, estimated budget and basic organisational information); Annex A2 Full Application (detailed project description, workplan, detailed budget, logical framework, sustainability, monitoring and evaluation, risk assessment, partner descriptions and roles); Annex B Budget (line-item cost breakdown and financing plan, including co-funding); Annex C Logical Framework (objectives, indicators, means of verification, assumptions); Annex D Identification form (legal entity identification and statutory details); Annex H Declaration of honour (exclusion and selection statements). Additional required contract templates and reporting formats are provided in Annexes G, II, V, VI and VII.

This summary is based solely on the publicly listed information and document titles available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity page for this call. For final and binding rules, eligibility, financial ceilings, co-financing percentages, evaluation criteria and contractual obligations, consult the Guidelines for grant applicant restricted CfP - TAZA and all annexes listed on the portal prior to preparing and submitting any application ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Official opportunity page on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: ec.europa.eu

Funding Opportunity Overview

The Matching Grants Scheme under the Green Heart of Africa, formally titled Tikope Alendo ndi Zachilngedwe m'Malawi (TAZA) Programme, is a European Commission grant opportunity managed through the International Partnerships directorate. The programme aims to develop a diversified and sustainable eco- and community tourism economy by supporting growth-oriented micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and community-linked enterprises. The initiative ensures tangible benefits for rural communities with particular emphasis on women and youth participation and economic empowerment.

Key Programme Details

Reference Number:EuropeAid

Donor:European Commission - International Partnerships (IP)

Programme Zone:Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Malawi

Publication Date:11 February 2026

Application Deadline:31 March 2026 ¹

Financial Information

Total Available Budget:€3,200,000

Minimum Grant Size:€3,000,000

Maximum Grant Size:€3,200,000

Funding Rate:Up to 90% of total eligible costs

Funding Type:Action Grants

This is a single large grant opportunity with a fixed budget envelope. The entire available budget of €3.2 million must be requested as a single grant falling between the minimum and maximum thresholds. The funding covers up to 90% of eligible project costs, requiring beneficiaries to secure matching funds for the remaining 10%.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicant Types:Non-profit organisations only, including non-governmental organisations, public sector operators, and international inter-governmental organisations

Lead Applicant Requirements:Must be a legal person, non-profit-making, and directly responsible for preparation and management of the action with co-applicants and affiliated entities. Lead applicants must not act as intermediaries.

Geographic Scope:All project activities must take place in Malawi

Thematic Focus Areas:Capacity building, children and youth development, economic development, environment and natural resources, and women and gender equality

Programme Objectives and Scope

Global Objective:To develop diversified and sustainable eco- and community tourism economy by supporting growth-oriented MSMEs and community-linked enterprises ensuring tangible benefits for rural communities, with particular focus on women and youth

Specific Objective:Establish a matching grants scheme providing funding for eco- and community tourism enterprise development and investment opportunities identified and promoted in priority areas, accompanied with capacity building for potential and actual grant applicants

The TAZA programme operates as a matching grants mechanism, meaning it provides co-financing for tourism enterprises and community-based initiatives. The scheme targets underutilised economic potential in rural Malawi through sustainable tourism development that benefits local communities while building institutional and entrepreneurial capacity.

Application Process

Application Procedure:Two-stage concept note process

Submission Method:Online submission via PROSPECT portal

Applicants must submit a concept note together with a declaration by the lead applicant through the PROSPECT online system. The concept note stage allows the European Commission to assess the strategic fit and feasibility of proposed activities before inviting selected applicants to submit full applications.

Required Documentation

The call documentation package includes comprehensive annexes and templates covering all aspects of the application and grant management process. Key documents available for download from the EU Funding and Tenders Portal include:

• Grant application form - Concept note stage
• Grant application form - Full application
• Logical framework (Annex C)
• Budget template (Annex B)
• Identification form for legal entities (Annex D)
• Declaration of honour on exclusion and selection criteria (Annex H)
• Standard grant contract with special conditions (Annex G)
• General conditions for grant contracts (Annex II)
• Procurement rules for beneficiaries (Annex IV)
• Standard request for payment template (Annex V)
• Model financial guarantee (Annex VIII)
• Transfer of ownership of assets provisions (Annex IX)
• Tax regime information (Annex J)
• Self-evaluation questionnaire on social and environmental aspects (Annex L)
• PADOR offline registration form (Annex F)
• Guidelines for grant applicants - TAZA restricted call

Critical Deadlines and Timeline

The concept note submission deadline is 31 March 2026 ¹. This is a firm deadline with no extensions anticipated. Applicants should allow sufficient time for online system registration, document preparation, and submission to avoid technical issues near the deadline. The two-stage process means that only selected concept notes will be invited to proceed to full application stage, with subsequent timelines to be communicated to successful applicants.

Key Considerations for Applicants

Matching Funds Requirement:Applicants must secure matching funds equivalent to at least 10% of total eligible project costs, as the grant covers maximum 90% of costs

Non-Profit Status:Only non-profit organisations can apply. For-profit enterprises cannot be lead applicants, though they may participate as co-applicants or affiliated entities

Malawi Location Requirement:All project activities must be implemented in Malawi. International organisations may participate but must demonstrate direct operational presence and responsibility in-country

Large Grant Scale:This is a single large grant with minimum €3 million requirement. Only organisations with substantial implementation capacity, financial management systems, and proven track record should apply

Capacity Building Component:Successful proposals must include dedicated capacity building activities for potential and actual grant applicants within the matching grants scheme, not just direct enterprise support

Gender and Youth Focus:Proposals should demonstrate how women and youth will benefit from and participate in the eco-tourism enterprise development activities

Submission Portal and Support

Applications must be submitted through the EU Funding and Tenders Portal at EU Funding and Tenders Portal. The portal provides access to all call documentation, submission tools, and participant registration systems. Applicants experiencing technical difficulties can contact the IT Helpdesk through the portal interface.

Programme Context

The TAZA programme is part of the European Commission's broader engagement with Sub-Saharan Africa through the International Partnerships directorate. It aligns with EU development priorities emphasising sustainable economic development, environmental conservation, and inclusive growth benefiting marginalised populations. The matching grants mechanism is designed to leverage EU funding to catalyse private and community investment in sustainable tourism, creating multiplier effects beyond the direct grant amount.

Footnotes

1. 1The deadline for concept note submission is 31 March 2026. Given the current date is 23 March 2026, applicants have approximately 8 days to prepare and submit their concept notes through the PROSPECT portal.