Business Partnerships Platform COVID-19 Recovery Partnerships

Do you represent an inclusive business? Do you have a commercial idea that could make a lasting social and environmental impact?

The Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) is the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s (DFAT) principal program contributing directly to accelerating Australia’s collaboration with business to address development challenges in our region.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread economic impact across the Indo-Pacific. People are losing their livelihoods and businesses have been disrupted. Through the BPP, the Australian Government is calling for partnerships to help support COVID-19 recovery in Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste and Tonga.

BPP COVID-19 Recovery Partnerships will help businesses to create livelihood opportunities, enhance gender equality and support green and resilient economic recovery. Apply for a BPP COVID-19 Recovery Partnership to receive funding to scale a business initiative for social impact.

Applicants must match or exceed BPP funding through cash and in-kind investment. The BPP also supports partnerships through independent partnership brokers, business and gender and inclusion advisers.

For partnerships in Bangladesh, DFAT is interested in hearing from businesses that want to create both sustainable commercial returns and development impacts in any of the following areas to support COVID-19 economic recovery:

  • agriculture and agriculture technology (particularly crops and livestock, sustainable agriculture practices and modernisation technology);
  • financial inclusion (particularly mobile financial services, ICT, e-commerce and payment delivery mechanisms);
  • renewable energy and energy efficiency; and
  • textiles and manufacturing (ready-made garment, jute, leather and plastic industries).

Applications close 4 November 2020.

For more information on this opportunity and how to apply, visit the Business Partnerships Platform Regional Call for Partnerships here