PARTNERSHIPS

Continuous Call for Enterprise Partnerships

Issued by: International Center for Promotion of Enterprises (ICPE), Mengeš, Slovenia

Programme: International Business Cooperation (InBuCo)

Launch date: 15 November 2025

The International Center for Promotion of Enterprises (ICPE) is an intergovernmental organization headquartered in Slovenia. ICPEs mandate is to promote and facilitate sustainable enterprise development, technology transfer, and capacity building in developing countries.

This Continuous Call is open to enterprises of all sizes, including large companies, SMEs, and startups, from European Union Member States and ICPE Member States. It serves as an entry point for companies wishing to collaborate with ICPE on development pilot projects and technology partnerships under this call.

Purpose of the Call

ICPE seeks enterprises interested in co-designing and implementing development pilot projects with local partners under ICPE coordination. The purpose is to promote cooperation between innovation ecosystems and the development priorities of ICPE’s intergovernmental membership. The goal is to adapt and deploy solutions that are ready for implementation, display measurable results, and create a pathway for scale-up in cooperation with the local partner.

Participating companies will work with ICPE to:

Design and implement a pilot with a designated local partner (state-owned enterprise, SME, university or research institute).
Adapt solutions for the local context and transfer know-how to in-country teams.
Measure outcomes and prepare a scale-up roadmap with concerned stakeholders.

Areas of Focus

Waste and Water Management

Modular and decentralized purification and treatment systems.
Water quality monitoring and digital management solutions.
Non-revenue water reduction and leakage control technologies.
Wastewater treatment and reuse mechanisms.
Stormwater management and flood resilience solutions.

Agriculture

Water-efficient irrigation and climate-smart farming practices.
Soil health improvement, sustainable inputs, and regenerative methods.
Post-harvest management, storage, and cold chain solutions.
Digital agriculture, precision tools, and advisory platforms for farmers.

Biotechnology

Biological and bacteriophage-based innovations to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Bio-based fertilizers and sustainable bioproducts enhancing yield and soil health.
Environmental biotechnology for remediation of water, soil, and waste.
Development of biomanufacturing capacities and scientific cooperation among Member States.

Renewable Energy

Decentralized and hybrid renewable energy systems for remote and off-grid communities.
Energy recovery and circular-economy approaches to waste utilization.
Smart energy management, storage, and monitoring solutions.
Promotion of local assembly, maintenance, and job creation in the renewable sector.

Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence

AI-driven platforms for monitoring, diagnostics, and predictive analytics.
Digital public services and e-governance tools for improved efficiency and transparency.
Data-based systems supporting agriculture, environmental, and industrial sectors.
Skills development and institutional capacity-building for digital transformation.

Dual-Use and Resilience Technologies

Civil–defense innovations for disaster response, logistics, and critical infrastructure protection.
Smart surveillance, mapping, and drone-based solutions for emergency operations.
Portable energy, water, and communication units for humanitarian or field deployment.
Integration of resilience-oriented technologies into national development planning.

Environmental Protection and Sustainable Industrial Development

Circular production and resource-efficiency models across industries.
Emission reduction, waste minimization, and carbon efficiency technologies.
Green manufacturing processes and eco-certification systems.
Industrial symbiosis projects linking enterprises for shared sustainability outcomes.

Solutions should be suitable for adaptation to developing-country environments. Across all areas, ICPE prioritizes technologies that are modular, adaptable, and designed for efficient resource use.

While this call highlights specific focus areas, ICPE welcomes expressions of interest from enterprises offering innovative technologies or solutions outside the listed fields that could strengthen sustainable development or institutional capacity in ICPE Member States.

Form of Cooperation

Cooperation entails joint pilot design and implementation. ICPE serves as an intergovernmental coordinator that connects enterprises with partnering entities in the recipient country, facilitates country engagement, and supports project structuring and documentation.

Who Can Apply

This call is open to enterprises of all sizes (large companies, SMEs, and startups), legally established in an EU Member State or an ICPE Member State.

Applicants must demonstrate the following:

Innovation capacity through proprietary technologies, patents, research and development activities, or proven deployment of advanced solutions.
Operational maturity, with the ability to engage in pilot implementation abroad and sustain the initiative through technical or in-kind contributions.
A verifiable track record of product or service delivery in water management, agriculture, environmental technology, or digital systems relevant to sustainable development.
A commitment to responsible business conduct, compliance with ethical standards, and openness to collaboration with development partners.

What ICPE Offers

Access and coordination

Facilitation with governmental bodies and local partners to identify partnerships, distribution channels, pilot sites and implementation pathways.

Project structuring

Support for scoping, pilot design, budgeting, and documentation required by public authorities, development funds and other donors.

Visibility and convening

Inclusion in ICPE events and communications to raise awareness among stakeholders.

ICPE does not provide direct funding under this call.

Application Procedure

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis. Enterprises meeting the criteria will be contacted for further discussions.

Evaluation is based on the following factors:

Relevance to focus areas
Technological maturity and feasibility of deployment
Adaptability for re-engineering and local manufacturing potential
Frugal innovation characteristics and cost-efficiency
Environmental, social, and governance responsibility
Readiness for cooperation and integrity compliance

Evaluation and Selection

Submissions will be reviewed by ICPE’s programme team against relevance, feasibility, readiness to pilot, and potential for impact and scale. In addition to technical and impact potential, ICPE will assess submissions based on their capacity for re-engineering, cost-effectiveness, and frugal innovation.

Preference will be given to solutions that can be adapted with minimal infrastructure, utilize local materials, or operate in off-grid and low-maintenance conditions.

Applications demonstrating openness to collaborative refinement and co-development with local technical institutions will receive higher consideration.

Shortlisted companies will be invited to bilateral discussions to define cooperation frameworks. Memoranda of Cooperation shall be used to formalize cooperation.

Guiding Principles

The following principles apply to all pilots prepared under this call. They set expectations for responsible, transparent, and results-oriented cooperation.

Country ownership and alignment. Pilots are co-designed with local institutions in the recipient country. Activities align with national and local plans. Local stakeholders participate in planning and execution from the outset.
Integrity and transparency. Zero tolerance for fraud, bribery, collusion, or facilitation payments. Disclosure of beneficial ownership upon request. Any conflicts of interest must be declared and managed.
Environmental and social safeguards. Proportionate safeguards are applied, including impact screening, community health and safety, decent work standards, and grievance channels. Child and forced labour are prohibited. Waste and hazardous materials are managed responsibly.
Gender equality and inclusion. Pilots are designed to be accessible and beneficial to women and vulnerable groups. Participation barriers are identified and addressed. Training and user materials are inclusive and practical.
Data protection and cybersecurity. Personal and operational data are processed lawfully and securely. Data minimization is practiced. Security-by-design is preferred. Local data hosting requirements are respected where applicable.
Fair access and affordability. Pricing and licensing terms for pilots are transparent and suited to the local environment. Operating and maintenance costs are realistic.
Local capacity and handover. Each pilot includes a training plan, documentation, and a handover approach. Where possible, local suppliers and service providers are engaged to build a sustainable support ecosystem.
Monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Pilots include clear indicators, baseline data, and monitoring plans. Results are documented and lessons learned are shared with relevant stakeholders to inform scale-up decisions.
Risk management and duty of care. Key risks are identified early, including safety, currency, and logistical risks. Appropriate mitigations and contingency plans are put in place. Health and safety protocols are observed at all times.
Legal and ethical compliance. Activities comply with applicable laws, international restrictions, and export controls. Human rights due diligence is observed. Respect for intellectual property is ensured for all parties.
Operational Sustainability. Pilots are designed with a credible plan for operational sustainability. Scale-up options are assessed with host partners.

Additional Information

For any questions or clarifications regarding this call, applicants may contact the ICPE Secretariat at info@icpe.int or by phone at +386 1 568 23 31.