Medium Grants (IMG Call 2025)

About this grant

The IKI Medium Grants fund innovative, bottom-up project activities that contribute to implementing the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The programme exists because the IKI Large Grants, while aimed at large-volume projects that accelerate a low-emission economic transition, leave out smaller-scale civil society actors in developing and emerging countries whose involvement is also needed for Paris and CBD implementation. Since 2020, Medium Grants have supported these actors in activities such as capacity building and international networking. Funding is allocated through annual ideas competitions, each with varying funding priorities. Interested actors submit project outlines, which are first checked for minimum formal requirements, then reviewed in depth by experts against published selection criteria. The responsible federal ministry (BMUKN) selects several outlines per funding priority based on review results and available budget. Selected applicants are invited to a second, proposal phase in which they submit a detailed project proposal. After review by the IKI Office at ZUG gGmbH, a final funding decision is made. Projects typically run for two to three years, with implementation lasting up to three years. Each project is typically bilateral or regional and involves one to two countries. Grants range from EUR 300,000 to EUR 800,000 per project. Projects must be implemented through a partnership with one or two local implementing organisations based in the implementing country or region.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are non-profit civil society organisations (non-governmental organisations, associations, foundations, think tanks), academic institutions (universities and research institutions), and non-profit companies. The implementing organisation must have, at the time of the first disbursement, a permanent business establishment, branch, or other facility serving the grant recipient's activities in Germany. Applicants must enter into a partnership with one or two local implementing organisations based in the implementing country or region. Projects must be located in IKI partner countries in developing and emerging economies. Funding is provided on an annual selection basis through ideas competitions with varying priorities. The current 2026 Medium Grant call is listed as closed on the page.

How it's scored

Outlines are first screened for minimum formal requirements, then shortlisted as among the most promising project ideas, and reviewed in depth by experts against the published IKI Medium Grants selection criteria (a PDF document referenced on the page, with the 2025 version given as an example). Based on review results and available budget, the responsible ministry selects outlines for the proposal phase. Selected applicants then submit detailed proposals that are reviewed by the IKI Office before a final funding decision. Specific weightings and panel composition are not stated on the page.

Key requirements

• ✓Project must be located in an IKI partner country
• ✓Focus on climate mitigation, adaptation, and/or biodiversity outcomes
• ✓Mid-range funding for targeted interventions (specific amount per project not disclosed in listing)
• ✓Natural carbon sinks and ecosystem-based solutions eligible

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does International Climate Initiative (IKI) offer?

Medium Grants (IMG Call 2025) offers $330K – $880K.

Who can apply for Medium Grants (IMG Call 2025)?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL; nonprofit, charity, research-institution, local-authority, community-group, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Climate adaptation funding helps communities, infrastructure and businesses prepare for heat, flooding, drought and sea level rise. Most of it is public and multilateral money, often targeted at vulnerable regions and delivered with local government. Calls usually ask for a climate risk assessment and evidence that local people shaped the plan.