Stefan Wollschied - Large grants, profound transformations
Stefan Wollschied, from ZUG ( Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft, future – environment – society), talks about the IKI Large Grants programme, to be launched at COP30.
By: IKI Interface Brazil Editorial Team
In 2025, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) will launch IKI Large Grants — a strategic international climate finance programme designed to support large-scale and high-impact projects, to be announced at COP30.
This global call will support climate and biodiversity projects in developing countries and emerging economies, including Brazil, with between €5 million and €20 million in funding. The new funding line builds on the existing model, which already includes IKI Small Grants — supporting smaller, community-level initiatives (€60,000–€200,000) — and IKI Medium Grants, aimed at intermediate-scale projects (€300,000–€800,000).
Following its announcement in Belém, the application process for the Large Grants programme will take place in two stages: first, organisations submit concept notes highlighting innovation and impact; then, shortlisted applicants advance to submit full proposals with detailed plans, budgets and consortium arrangements. This stage officially opens the way for bilateral, regional or global projects lasting up to eight years. These must be implemented by consortia of at least two organisations.
Eligible applicants include NGOs, universities, research centres, development cooperation agencies and private-sector actors, provided they form part of a consortium. The majority of funds must be channelled directly into local-level actions aligned with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of partner countries.
In an interview with IKI Conecta, Stefan Wollschied from the from the IKI Office at ZUG — a non-profit federal company — explains how the Large Grants programme was conceived, its strategic priorities, and how it can accelerate the reduction of emissions, support NDCs, and engage new actors, including the private sector and civil society.
What sets IKI Large Grants apart from previous programmes?
It replaces the former thematic and national calls, bringing everything together into a single call with clear priorities. The goal is to scale up funding and concentrate it in larger projects, implemented by international consortia over longer periods (up to eight years), and capable of delivering direct and measurable impact.
How does the programme contribute to mitigation?
The priority is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in critical sectors such as industry and energy, while also supporting efforts to combat deforestation. Protecting biodiversity — understood as an essential part of climate resilience — is another key focus. Projects should also generate social co-benefits, such as the inclusion of local communities and the promotion of gender equity.
What are the criteria for project approval under Large Grants?
Projects must align with IKI’s strategy, prioritising concrete action on the ground and ensuring that the majority of resources reach the implementation sites. They are expected to demonstrate innovation, scalability, and clear contributions to partner countries’ NDCs.
How are the private sector and civil society incorporated into the strategy?
The programme seeks to mobilise additional capital and involve the private sector from the outset of project design. Civil society will be engaged through partnerships with local NGOs and established networks, strengthening governance and implementation capacity on the ground.
When will the programme begin?
The first call for Large Grants will be announced in November 2025, in Belém, during COP30, as a pilot initiative. Future calls are expected to run annually.
What is the expected funding volume?
Each project is expected to receive between €5 and €20 million. IKI’s annual budget is around €600–700 million, with a significant share earmarked for Large Grants.
Be part of the change!
The International Climate Initiative (IKI) is launching the Large Grants programme to finance transformative projects in climate and biodiversity, with €5–20 million available per project. Is your organisation a non-governmental organisation, university, research institution, international agency, or private company? Submit your proposal to secure funding and make a real difference in tackling climate change.
Apply once the call opens: IKI Large Grants | Internationale Klimaschutzinitiative (IKI)
About the International Climate Initiative (IKI)
Launched in 2008, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) has supported more than 1,250 projects, with total funding of nearly €7.7 billion, and is now once again overseen solely by BMUKN. Project selection occurs mainly through mechanisms like those mentioned earlier, focusing on 14 priority countries, including Brazil.
Its priority areas include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, conserving biodiversity, adapting to the impacts of climate change, and preserving natural carbon sinks. By 2030, the International Climate Initiative (IKI) aims to increase ambition in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in at least 20 partner countries, while mobilising €1.5 billion in private capital, create enabling environments for cross-cutting, transformative action on climate and biodiversity, and to implement and scale up pilot projects.
