SSCP Project Facility

Who can apply for projects?

Seed Funding: Full SSCP members from Category A (Private Sector), B (NPO) and C (research) can apply as lead applicants. All proposals require at least one SSCP private sector member (as main or co-applicant). Associated members and non-members may join as co-applicants.
Structure and rules of this call for proposal are primarily intended to promote and facilitate a value chain approach, which includes cooperation with small and medium-sized private sector members of SSCP (i.e. trader, roaster, etc.).

Collaborative Impact Funding: Full SSCP members from Category A (Private Sector), B (NPO) and C (research), and associate members, can apply as lead applicants. Non-members may join as co-applicants. A strong multi-stakeholder consortium is expected, including collaborating with local partners in producing countries. 

When can I apply for the projects?

Seed Funding: The call for proposals is organised on an ongoing basis, there is no dedicated deadline. Initial expressions of interest can be shared with the SSCP Coordination office. Approximately 90% of funds shall be allocated in the first three years, considering an estimated average project duration of two years.  

Collaborative Impact Funding: The collaborative impact funding is open to receive concept notes from 27 June until 8 September 2025. Successful applicants will be informed by 6 October for the next step in the process to submit a full project proposal. Please note that the collaborative impact funding is a “closed call”, meaning that adhering to the submission deadline is critical.

How many times can I submit a proposal?

Seed Funding: Twice. The total sum of grant funding received cannot exceed 250’000 CHF for both projects.

Collaborative Impact Funding: Twice. The total sum of grant funding received cannot exceed 1’000’000 CHF for both projects.  

Is there a minimal and maximal project duration? When does the project have to be completed?

Seed Funding: Duration of project maximum 3 years, and should not end later than 2029. 

Collaborative Impact Funding: The envisaged duration is a maximum of four years. Generally, we understand large-scale projects might have a longer time horizon (5-10 years).  

How much funding is available from SECO for the SSCP Project facility? 

Seed Funding: The total grant funding volume is CHF 2.4 Mio for 2025 to 2028.  

Collaboration Impact Funding: The total grant funding volume is CHF 4.5 million for 2025 to 2028. 

What is the grant size?

Seed Funding: Each selected project may receive funding between CHF  20’000 - 250’000, depending on scope, scale, and budget justification.   

Collaborative Impact Funding: Each selected project may receive funding up to CHF 1’000’000, depending on scope, scale, and budget justification.  

How high is the SECO contribution as part of the total project funding? 

Seed Funding: The financial contribution by SECO should not exceed 40% of the total projected project budget.  

Collaborative Impact Funding: The financial contribution by SECO should not exceed 25% of the total proposed project budget. 

How many partners need to be involved in the project? 

Seed Funding: At least 1 member from the private sector, partnerships along the supply chain are strongly encouraged. 

Collaborative Impact Funding: Multiple partners working together, cross-company collaborations and local engagement are critical. 

How do I need to prove my track record and expertise when I apply?

Both funding windows: Applicants should be able to demonstrate their capacity, track record and expertise by providing information about past projects. This can be done for example by providing CVs/track record of the implementing team or organisation. 

Where should the investment take place? 

Both funding windows: The geographical scope of the projects supported is a mix of SECO priority countries and coffee sourcing countries of the Swiss coffee sector. It is envisaged that at least 50% of the funds will be invested in the SECO priority countries of Indonesia, Peru and Vietnam. The remaining funds will be invested in priority sourcing regions of the Swiss coffee sector. 

What are the key criteria regarding the funding window?

Seed Funding: The proposal needs to adhere to the following key criteria: Impact Supporting the Roadmap target areas and topics; Value Chain Partnership; Scalability and Peer Learning; Exchange of Experience and Replicability; Focus on Small and Medium Entities; Implementing Capacity; Monitoring and Evaluation. 

Collaboration Impact Funding: The proposal needs to adhere to the following key criteria: Impact Supporting the Roadmap target areas and topics; Cross-company collaboration; Local buy-in and governance; Multiple sources of financing; Implementing Capacity; Gender; Monitoring and Evaluation. 

Which counterpart contributions are accepted? 

Seed Funding: Both financial and in-kind contributions are accepted. In-kind contributions need to be clearly linked to the project. Examples are key staff costs clearly linked to the project, office space or vehicles explicitly attributed to the project. 

Collaborative Impact Funding: Both financial and in-kind contributions are accepted. In-kind contributions from project partners that can be clearly linked to the project are permitted. 

How high is the project support fee and how is it calculated?

Both funding windows: A fee of 5% of the total grants received by SECO must be paid by the lead applicant to SSCP to account for the project support services provided by the coordination office.  

How and when will I receive a feedback on my project proposal has been approved or not? 

Seed Funding: The Coordination office will communicate closely with the main applicant and keep them informed about the progress.  

Collaboration Impact Funding: A decision for submission of a full proposal will be issued in Mid-December 2025, contracting will commence in January 2026.  

Need support? 

Contact the SSCP Coordination Office at: info(at)coffeeplatform.ch