AgriFI-Sri Lanka Window Grant

About this grant

The AgriFI-Sri Lanka Window is a country window of the Agriculture Financing Initiative (AgriFI), an EU-funded blending facility managed by the EDFI Management Company. It is part of a larger EU action to support the agriculture sector in Sri Lanka. The window is sized at EUR 8 million and provides access to finance for agri-food businesses. The problem addressed is the lack of financing mechanisms adapted to smallholders with limited market orientation, vulnerable groups, women and youth, and to farmers and entrepreneurs. AgriFI aims to increase investment in rural areas and in smallholder agriculture and agribusiness MSMEs, with the goal of raising farmer incomes, improving food security and supporting sustainable supply chains. The Sri Lanka Window focuses on organic agriculture and the development of the cold chain and food processing, with the intent of reducing food waste and post-harvest losses. Financing is provided through blended investment instruments, including junior and senior debt, quasi-equity and equity, with flexible commercial terms such as patient capital, local currency lending and flexible use of proceeds. Targeted investees include SMEs, financial institutions and impact funds. Typical ticket sizes across AgriFI are EUR 0.5 to 5 million with medium-to-long tenors of 5 to 10+ years. A past Sri Lanka Country Window investment in Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC (2024, senior debt, disbursed) is listed on the page.

Eligibility

Targeted investees are SMEs, financial institutions and impact funds active in the agri-food and forestry value chain in Sri Lanka, with a focus on smallholder inclusion and agri-business MSMEs. Investments are channelled through the AgriFI Sri Lanka Country Window, with an emphasis on organic agriculture, cold chain and food processing. Applicants are directed to the EDFI MC investment application process; the page does not state detailed formal eligibility rules beyond these target groups and the OECD DAC geographic scope applicable to the wider facility.

How it's scored

The page does not disclose specific scoring criteria, weightings or panel composition. It notes that AgriFI aims for additionality, catalysing additional investment (reported leverage of 3.1x), and that investments are assessed under EDFI MC environmental, social and governance and impact management standards throughout the investment lifecycle.

Key requirements

• ✓Agri-food business operating in Sri Lanka
• ✓Focus on organic agriculture, cold chain, food processing, or post-harvest loss reduction
• ✓Access to finance window; specific eligibility criteria not detailed in description

Recent past awardees

Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.

• Sarvodaya Development Finance PLC · 2024

Funder contact

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

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does AgriFI (Agriculture Financing Initiative) offer?

AgriFI-Sri Lanka Window offers €8M.

Who can apply for AgriFI-Sri Lanka Window?

Eligibility covers organisations in LK; startup, sme, large-company, social-enterprise, cooperative. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Food systems funding covers sustainable production, supply-chain resilience, food loss, nutrition and smallholder livelihoods. It is offered by agriculture and development agencies, multilateral programmes and foundations, often with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. Applicants are generally asked to show local partnerships and how benefits reach farmers or consumers.