The European Union has opened applications for a €1.8-million (approximately ₱125 million) grant facility aimed at accelerating the green and circular transformation of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
The funding is part of the €60-million (₱3.67 billion) EU-Philippine Green Economy Partnership and will support projects that help MSMEs transition from traditional business models to more sustainable, circular practices.
The grant program, titled “Green Up to Scale Up: MSME Transformation Grant,” is managed by Expertise France under the partnership’s “Green Business, Infrastructure and Finance” project, in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
The call targets priority industries including agriculture and fisheries, tourism and hospitality, food, and textile—sectors seen as critical to reducing organic, plastic, and textile waste while strengthening climate and economic resilience.
Rather than funding individual firms directly, the grants will support networks of organizations that can design and implement business support programs for MSMEs. These network-rooted solutions aim to address systemic gaps that hinder the development of a circular economy in the Philippines.
European Union Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro underscored the EU’s commitment to sustainability and economic cooperation.
“The EU supports the green transition as part of its mission to build stronger economic linkages between the EU and the Philippines. Showing that the circular economy has a great return on investment will inspire other MSMEs to embrace the green transition,” he said.
“We hope for many interesting applications,” he added.
MSMEs account for over 99 percent of businesses in the Philippines, making them central to the country’s shift toward an inclusive green economy.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque emphasized the importance of creating the right environment for small businesses to adopt circular practices.
“The Philippine’s transition to an inclusive green economy can only happen if we provide an enabling business environment for MSMEs to thrive by adopting circular practices. Through the EU-PH Green Economy Partnership, we can enhance the local business landscape while opening trade and investment opportunities between European and Philippine markets,” she said.
Applications for the Green Up to Scale Up: MSME Transformation Grant will be accepted until 21 April 2026.
Interested applicants may attend in-person sessions scheduled in Metro Manila on 24 February 2026 and Cebu on 3 March 2026. In-person sessions require prior registration, which will be open until 20 February 2026. Check out: https://bit.ly/GreenUpToScaleUpMSMETransformation
The EU-PH Green Economy Partnership, funded through the EU’s Global Gateway initiative and led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), seeks to link European and Filipino partners from the private sector and local government to accelerate the country’s transition to a greener economy while sustaining economic growth.
Guidelines and registration details are available on the program’s official information page. Visit also www.greeneconomy.ph.