FS4Africa Open Call 2 2026: Funding Opportunity for Innovation Hubs Supporting African and European Food Entrepreneurs (5 Projects to Be Funded)

The FS4Africa Open Call 2 (OC2) is officially accepting applications from eligible innovation hubs seeking funding to strengthen innovation, entrepreneurship, and business growth within the food sector. This funding opportunity is designed to empower organizations that can provide training, mentoring, and acceleration services to innovative food business entrepreneurs and startups operating across Africa and Europe.

The call is part of the broader FS4Africa Project, which focuses on strengthening food innovation ecosystems by supporting organizations capable of nurturing business ideas, accelerating startups, and promoting social innovation.

Under this second open call, five (5) additional projects will receive financial support to implement activities that enhance innovation and entrepreneurship in the food sector.

About FS4Africa Open Call 2

The primary objective of the FS4Africa Open Call 2 is to provide Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) through selected innovation hubs.

Rather than funding individual startups directly, this call supports organizations that have the expertise and infrastructure to mentor entrepreneurs and accelerate innovative food-related businesses.

Selected innovation hubs will play a critical role in helping participants transform innovative concepts into sustainable and scalable business ventures while strengthening food innovation ecosystems in Africa and Europe.

The programme particularly focuses on:

• Training use case partners.
• Supporting beneficiaries from FS4Africa Open Call 1.
• Mentoring innovative entrepreneurs.
• Accelerating business ideas.
• Promoting social innovation.
• Supporting business scaling and growth.
• Strengthening food innovation ecosystems.
• Encouraging collaboration between African and European food entrepreneurs and startups.

What Will the Selected Innovation Hubs Do?

Successful applicants will be expected to provide structured support that helps businesses move from innovative concepts to scalable enterprises.

Their responsibilities may include:

• Delivering business mentoring programmes.
• Providing entrepreneurship training.
• Accelerating innovative business concepts.
• Supporting social innovation initiatives.
• Helping startups develop sustainable business models.
• Assisting entrepreneurs with business growth and market readiness.
• Guiding beneficiaries through commercialization and scaling opportunities.

Who Should Apply?

The opportunity is intended for innovation hubs that possess the expertise, capacity, and experience to mentor entrepreneurs and support startup development.

Organizations with experience in:

• Startup incubation
• Business acceleration
• Entrepreneurship training
• Innovation ecosystem development
• Food innovation
• Business mentoring
• Social innovation programmes

may find this opportunity particularly relevant.

Key Objectives of the Open Call

FS4Africa Open Call 2 seeks to:

1. Strengthen innovation hubs that support food entrepreneurs.
2. Improve business acceleration services.
3. Promote innovative food business solutions.
4. Encourage social innovation.
5. Help startups become investment-ready.
6. Build stronger food innovation ecosystems across Africa and Europe.
7. Foster collaboration among innovation stakeholders.
8. Support sustainable entrepreneurial growth.

Number of Projects to Be Funded

One of the highlights of this funding opportunity is that:

• Five (5) additional projects will be selected for funding through Open Call 2.

Organizations preparing competitive applications should carefully review all official guidance documents before submitting their proposals.

Application Timeline

Applicants should note the official timeline below:

• Opening Date: Monday, 18 May 2026 at 12:00 CET
• Application Deadline: Monday, 31 August 2026 at 17:00 CET

Applicants are encouraged to submit well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should download and carefully review all official documents before preparing their submissions.

The available documents on the official website include:

• Applicants’ Guide (PDF)
• Proposal Template (DOCX)
• Declaration of Honour (DOCX)
• Budget Template (XLSX)

These documents contain detailed eligibility requirements, proposal preparation instructions, evaluation criteria, budgeting guidance, and submission requirements.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Innovation hubs are central to the growth of entrepreneurial ecosystems. By equipping startups with mentoring, technical guidance, and business acceleration support, they help innovative ideas become commercially viable businesses.

Through FS4Africa Open Call 2, selected organizations will contribute to:

• Building stronger innovation ecosystems.
• Supporting food sector entrepreneurship.
• Encouraging cross-regional collaboration between Africa and Europe.
• Promoting scalable business solutions.
• Advancing social innovation.
• Increasing the success of food-focused startups.

The initiative creates an opportunity for innovation hubs to expand their impact while contributing to sustainable food innovation across two continents.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should:

1. Visit the official FS4Africa Open Call page.
2. Download and study all application documents.
3. Prepare their proposal using the official template.
4. Complete the required budget template.
5. Sign the Declaration of Honour.
6. Submit the application before the deadline.

 Apply Here

Contact Information

For enquiries regarding the call, applicants may contact:

Email: fs4africa@opencalls.fund

Final Reminder

FS4Africa Open Call 2 offers innovation hubs an excellent opportunity to secure funding while helping food entrepreneurs and startups transform innovative ideas into successful businesses.

Organizations interested in supporting entrepreneurship, mentoring innovators, and accelerating business growth should carefully review the official application documents and submit complete applications before Monday, 31 August 2026, at 17:00 CET.

For more information, visit the official website

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