Launch of a Call for Proposals to support the development of value chains for Lesser-Used Timber Species (LUTS) and their products

This Call is launched under the EU Forest Governance and Value Chains (FGVC) Programme, implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and funded by the European Union under the Global Gateway initiative.

The mechanism aims to strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of tropical timber value chains in Central Africa by promoting the use of timber species that are currently lesser used.

It is open to companies established in the Republic of the Congo, Gabon and the 27 Member States of the European Union and focuses on three main priorities:

• develop European demand for products made from lesser-used timber species, in particular by improving technical knowledge, supporting standardisation and certification, and developing prototypes and demonstrators;
• strengthen supply in the Republic of the Congo and Gabon, notably by improving processing, product quality, traceability, legality and the reliability of supply;
• mobilise investment and financing needed to support the development and scaling-up of these value chains.

Grants of up to €200,000

Two levels of funding are available:

• Small grants: up to €30,000, for projects contributing to demand development, supply strengthening or the mobilisation of financing;
• Large grants: up to €200,000, for projects focusing on demand development or supply strengthening.

Application deadline: 19 October 2026

Consult the Call for Proposals :
https://www.fao.org/in-action/legal-sustainable-wood-assurance-programme/home/the-eu-forest-governance-and-value-chains-programme/call-for-proposal/en

ATIBT supports applicant companies

As a partner of FAO in the implementation of this initiative, ATIBT supports interested companies in understanding the requirements of the Call and developing their project proposals.

This support is independent from the proposal evaluation and selection process, in which ATIBT does not participate.

To this end, an online information session hosted by ATIBT will take place on 26 August 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Paris time).

Register for the information session:
https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/8d645d0d-b51c-4f11-98d1-d91973f7fc6c@8ec34948-b996-4041-a0ce-e45e0515ca87?source=copyLinkOneEventsShareDialog

Need support in preparing your proposal?

Contact: Enyota Abra DEGAN, Project Coordinator at ATIBT