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Rwanda’s One-Stop Centre for Green Investment

Ireme Invest is a groundbreaking investment facility that works with Rwanda’s private sector to support green business growth and boost the country’s response to climate change. The facility offers a range of tailored financial products and services to fast-track green investment.

Ireme Invest, through its Project Preparation Facility, is inviting entrepreneurs and businesses in Rwanda’s waste and circular economy sector to apply for support and funding. 

Support and funding is available for entrepreneurs and businesses with business models focused on circular economy solutions as well as waste reduction and improved waste management, spanning early-stage, growth-stage, or mature-stage solutions. 

Known as the Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme, this opportunity has been made possible by the Rwanda Green Fund in collaboration with the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) as part of the Rwandan-German Climate and Development Partnership, and will be facilitated by Impact Hub Kigali.

The Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme is open to solutions from various sectors and sub-sectors within the waste and circular economy domain, as waste reduction, reutilisation, and elimination can be addressed from diverse perspectives and at various stages of business development. 

Interested entrepreneurs and businesses are encouraged to learn more and apply here.

Applications for the Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme close at 5:00 PM on Monday, 23 October 2023.

Download the programme Information Note here. 

 

PROGRAMME ELEMENTS

The Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme is structured in two phases:

Phase One: Business and Idea Development

In phase one, 30 entrepreneurs will be selected to join a four month incubation programme. Benefits of the programme include expert mentoring, workshops, and coaching and the opportunity to submit a proposal and be among 10 programme participants to receive funding.

Phase Two: Funding and Demo Day

In phase two, ten entrepreneurs and businesses with the most compelling proposals will receive up to Rwf 60 million each in grant funding depending on the maturity or nature of the business or idea. These entrepreneurs and businesses will also receive additional and tailored business support, and the opportunity to connect with investors in the sector at the Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme Demo Day.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme is open to entrepreneurs and businesses operating in the waste and circular economy sector.

To be eligible, active participation in the programme is required, including mandatory attendance at workshops and coaching sessions. Only those participants who have been actively engaged in the programme and present a compelling proposal will be considered for grant funding. 

The entrepreneur or business must fulfil the following criteria:

The business should be operating in the waste and circular economy sectors

Currently operating in Rwanda

Available to participate fully in the programme

PROGRAMME TIMELINE

The programme spans four months, from December 2023 to April 2024. Programme participants will be invited to submit business proposals for funding in April 2024. The announcement of the 10 grant recipients will be made in May 2024. Subsequently, these recipients will receive tailored business support over three months to effectively utilise the funds. 

Application Steps

Applications can be submitted once the call for applications is open. The application submission is the first step in the process of joining the programme and accessing funding from Ireme Invest.

To apply to join the programme, an application must be submitted through the Ireme Invest online portal accessible here.

Applicants are required to create an account on the portal. Webinar and info-session opportunities will be provided to interested applicants.

Note: Hard copies submitted physically or soft copies submitted through email will not be accepted.

Solutions should be aimed at waste reduction and improved waste management 

Currently operating in Rwanda

The solution should clearly articulate their business model

The solution should meet environmental impact criteria

The solution should promote or aligned to strategic national and international environment and climate objectives

The business personnel should demonstrate the capacity to implement the project. 

Up to 10 selected businesses or entrepreneurs will secure grant funding up to Rwf 60 million, determined by the maturity and nature of their business or idea.

At the programme's conclusion, the 10 selected businesses will have the chance to present their products during an event known as Demo Day. This event will serve as an opportunity to attract potential investors and secure the ongoing success of their projects beyond the conclusion of the programme’s funding.

For more Information