Apply – Circular Economy Programme

Interested entrepreneurs and businesses can complete their application here.

Download the programme information note in English here and the Application Terms and Conditions here. Soma inyandiko irimo ibisobanuro birambuye hano.

Applications are open until 5:00 PM on Monday, 23 October 2023.

Solutions aimed at fostering a circular economy, waste reduction and improved waste management are all eligible. Solutions may be at early-stage, growth-stage, or mature stage.

Ireme Invest welcomes solutions from a wide range of sectors, industries, and sub-sectors. We believe that addressing waste reduction, reutilization, and elimination can be approached from various sectors and business stages. Examples include, but are not limited to, plastics in construction, earth reinforcement, plastics in agriculture, non-biodegradable or non-recyclable packaging materials, payment systems for waste services, segregated household waste collection, circular product design, and reuse/refill systems.

Up to 30 promising entrepreneurs, start-ups and SMEs in varying stages of development will be selected to be part of this first cohort of the Ireme Invest Circular Economy Programme.

All 30 selected participants will have an opportunity to submit their project proposals for review and selection. 10 of the participants will be selected to receive grant funding of up to Rwf 60,000,000.

Participation in the programme, including workshops and coaching sessions, is a requirement. Only those who have been selected and are actively engaged in the programme will be eligible to access the grant funding.

The first phase of the programme is scheduled to run for four months from December 2023 to April 2024. Project proposals are slated for submission in April 2024, with the intent of finalising the selection of the 10 recipients to receive funding by the end of May 2024. 

Phase two of the programme will run from May to August 2024, with the Demo Day taking place in September 2024.

Phase two of the programme will run from May to August 2024, with the Demo Day taking place in September 2024. 

Participants can expect access to expert mentoring and workshops centred around business and circularity.

Additionally, they will receive personalised coaching sessions and the opportunity to apply for grant funding of up to Rwf 60,000,000 each.

Yes, we are looking for solutions that are implemented in Rwanda. Additionally, you will have to be in Rwanda to attend the workshops and coaching sessions.

The circular economy is an approach where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting. For an innovation or business model to be circular, it must be able to show how it will lead to reduced waste streams, how it avoids waste, or how it will use materials that have been regarded as waste.

Waste refers to materials that are no longer useful to the producer and are being discarded, either because they have fulfilled their purpose or are mandated to be disposed of. Waste can arise from various stages like raw material extraction, processing, product consumption, and other human activities. It does not include materials reused on-site or released into water or air.

Waste management includes all processes along solid waste streams, such as collection, transport, treatment and disposal and can regard companies that operate in the waste sector itself, but also companies that have to deal with waste management of waste products in their production lines

This opportunity has been made possible by the Rwanda Green Fund thanks to support from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and will be facilitated in partnership with Impact Hub Kigali.