Call for Concept Notes — Challenge Fund for Export-Oriented SMEs in the Textiles Sector

Better Governance and Business Environment (BGBE) — a project co-funded by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by GIZ with Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce — invites concept notes from export-oriented SMEs in the textiles manufacturing sector (including apparel, leather, sports goods and surgical instruments) to participate in the first round of a Challenge Fund that supports innovation and green production practices.

Key facts: 15 SMEs in Punjab and Sindh will receive matching grants. Grant awards range from a minimum of €30,000 to a maximum of €100,000 per SME (fund pool €1 million); SMEs must contribute at least 50% of proposed project costs (cash or in-kind). Priority areas include resource efficiency, circularity, digital product passports, ESG and due diligence, carbon footprint measurement, worker safety and lean manufacturing, and women’s economic empowerment and export integration. Eligible applicants must be registered with relevant authorities (e.g., SECP/FBR), be manufacturing/processing enterprises with at least three years’ operation and annual turnover below PKR 2,000 million. Submit concept notes online via the Good Grants Portal and email queries to [email protected]. Deadline: 2026-08-10.