The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Matching Grants in Afghanistan 2026 (With up to $100,000 in Funding)

Published: March 27, 2026
Deadline: March 29, 2026
Category: Grants
Oppotunity Locations: Afghanistan

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is currently accepting applications for its Matching Grants in Afghanistan 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.

About FAO Matching Grants in Afghanistan

This scheme aims to support agribusinesses involved in Afghanistan’s agricultural value chains by providing matching grants to help expand their operations and contribute to enhanced food security. Applicants are required to complete the application form that you will find in the next step.

Sponsor Organisation: The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Benefits of FAO Matching Grants in Afghanistan

Grant size: up to USD 100,000.
Applicants must provide a co-contribution (part cash, part in-kind).
Multiple funding windows tailored to enterprise size and type:
- Window 1A: Support to women-led and early-stage enterprises
- Window 1B: Support to small agri-SMEs and established producer groups (USD 15,001–30,000).
- Window 2: Support to local market SMEs (USD 30,000–60,000).
- Window 3: Export-oriented enterprises (USD 60,000–100,000).

FAO Matching Grants in Afghanistan Requirements

Window 1A: Support to women-led and early-stage enterprises

To be eligible, applicants must have been operating for less than three years or be newly formalizing informal activity, not less than one year. They must have annual turnover of at least USD 3,000 and hold valid registration or commit to register before grant agreement signature. There is no minimum number of employees.
Applicants should demonstrate linkages with at least 5 farming households.
For the business plan requirement, applicants complete a simplified business profile embedded in the grant application form. This short narrative covers business description, proposed investment, farmer linkages, basic financial information, and implementation timeline.

Window 1B: Support to small agri-SMEs and established producer groups

This window supports small agribusinesses and producer groups that have demonstrated an operational track record and are ready to expand. These enterprises have stronger governance and financial systems and can absorb larger investments.
Eligible applicants include small agri-SMEs engaged in value addition, processing, aggregation, or marketing; established producer groups and associations with at least three years of operation; and enterprises with existing market linkages seeking to grow.
Co-contribution requirements are as follows. Women-led enterprises must contribute at least 20 percent of the grant value. Other applicants must contribute at least 50 percent. Up to 40 percent of the co-contribution may be provided in-kind, with the remainder in cash.
To be eligible, applicants must have been operating for three years or more and have annual turnover of at least USD 10,000. They must have at least three employees, hold valid business registration, and maintain basic financial records for at least two years.
Applicants should demonstrate linkages with at least 20 farming households.
For the business plan requirement, applicants submit a standard business profile together with the grant application form. This includes business description, market analysis, farmer linkage plan, 12-month financial projection, risk assessment, and evidence of co-financing.

Window 2: Support to local market SMEs

This window targets small and medium agribusinesses operating at provincial and national levels that serve domestic markets. These include processors, aggregators, packhouses, and cold storage operators that play a critical role in reducing post-harvest losses and creating reliable market outlets for farmers.
Eligible applicants include SMEs operating at provincial or national level, processors and aggregators, packhouses and cold storage operators, input suppliers and service providers, and producer organisations with established commercial operations.
Co-contribution requirements are as follows. Women-led enterprises must contribute at least 25 percent of the grant value. Other applicants must contribute at least 50 percent. Up to 30 percent of the co-contribution may be provided in-kind, with the remainder in cash.
To be eligible, applicants must have been operating for three years or more and have annual turnover of at least USD 50,000. They must have at least five employees, hold valid business registration, and maintain audited financial statements or equivalent records for at least two years. They must also demonstrate existing domestic market linkages through buyer contracts or supply agreements.
Applicants should demonstrate linkages with at least 50 farming households.
For the business plan requirement, applicants submit a full business plan with financial model together with the grant application form. This includes all standard elements plus 12 to 24 month financial projections with cash flow analysis.
Window 2 is for enterprises serving domestic markets. Applicants with demonstrated export activity or verified export contracts should apply to Window 3.

Window 3: Support to export-oriented enterprises

This window supports commercial enterprises engaged in export of agricultural products or supplying major national buyers. The focus is on improving competitiveness in international markets for high-value Afghan commodities such as saffron, dried fruits, and nuts.
Eligible applicants include export-oriented agribusinesses with demonstrated export experience, enterprises with verified contracts from major national or international buyers, and businesses holding or actively pursuing international certification.
Window 3 applicants must demonstrate export readiness at application stage by providing at least one of the following: a verified export contract or letter of credit from an international buyer; a verified off-take agreement with a major national buyer; current certification under ISO, HACCP, GLOBALG.A.P., organic, or equivalent; or evidence of export shipments within the past 24 months. Applicants who cannot provide this evidence should apply to Window 2.
Co-contribution requirements are as follows. Women-led enterprises must contribute at least 30 percent of the grant value. Other applicants must contribute at least 50 percent. Up to 30% of the co-contribution may be provided in-kind, with the remainder in cash.
To be eligible, applicants must have been operating for three years or more and have annual turnover of at least USD 100,000. They must have at least five employees, hold valid business registration, and maintain audited financial statements for at least two years. They must also provide verified export evidence as described above.
Applicants should demonstrate linkages with at least 100 farming households.
For the business plan requirement, applicants submit a full business plan and export strategy together with the grant application form. In addition to standard requirements, this must include export market analysis, certification pathway, and logistics plan.
For specialised equipment not available locally or where procurement complexity is significant, Window 3 grantees may request FAO-facilitated procurement. Such requests are assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Technical Review Committee.