On 22 January, during their pitch event in Brussels, Ipropeller and Ashoka launched a call for "Multi-Actor Partnerships on Innovative Solutions on Climate Change in Southern Africa." The aim is to find Flemish private partners for African social entrepreneurs. This call is the third phase of the Ipropeller project "Upscaling innovative solutions on climate change in Africa through social entrepreneurship and multi-actor partnerships" that is funded by the Government of Flanders.

The project aims to train, support and guide African social entrepreneurs - actively involved in climate solutions - and link they as much as possible to Flemish private actors. For example, during their training process (first half of 2019), the entrepreneurs had Flemish entrepreneurs and academics as mentors. Also, a big pitching event was organized this week in Brussels. The African entrepreneurs had the opportunity to meet investors and partners and make them enthusiastic about their businesses. The call, aimed at establishing multi-actor partnerships with Flemish private actors, is also part of the project.

With the support for this project, the Government implements the Flemish policy to involve the private sector in development cooperation and to look for a win-win for both Flemish and African actors. At the same time, Flanders meets its international commitments with regard to climate finance.