A decade of strengthening impact: how the BPF raised the bar
Ten years after its creation, the Business Partnership Facility (BPF) has firmly established itself as a key driver of innovative partnerships between Luxembourg/the European Union on the one hand, and developing countries on the other. What began as a relatively modest initiative has grown into a mature and dynamic programme, supporting an increasing number of companies seeking to combine business opportunities with tangible development impact.
Over 15 editions, the BPF has continuously evolved. Its ambition, however, has remained the same: to support innovative partnerships and solutions that address real challenges on the ground. What has strengthened over time is how this ambition is delivered — with clearer expectations, more robust processes, and a sharper focus on results.
Today, these improvements are reflected in the growing quality and ambition of supported projects, as well as in the facility’s expanding reach.
Opening doors to more companies
One of the most visible changes has been the effort to make the BPF more accessible. Through practical guides, FAQs, webinar replays and real-life project examples available on the dedicated website, applicants are now better equipped to understand expectations and design stronger proposals. The project team is also readily available to engage directly with applicants and partners, helping them better understand the facility’s expectations.
At the same time, the BPF has stepped up its outreach efforts. With around 20 presentations each year and strong partnerships across Luxembourg’s business ecosystem, the programme is reaching a wider audience than ever before.
Raising the bar on quality and accountability
Behind the scenes, the way projects are selected and managed has also undergone a transformation.
The application process has been fully digitalised and streamlined, making it easier for companies to apply while ensuring greater consistency in evaluation. Clearer templates and structured requirements also allow applicants to better articulate their business model and expected impact.
Selection criteria have also been strengthened. Projects are now subject to systematic KYC checks and are required to provide more comprehensive documentation. This ensures that partnerships are not only innovative, but also credible and solid.
From funding to results
Perhaps the most significant shift lies in how success is measured.
Funding is now closely linked to impact indicators. Projects receive support in stages, based on progress against impact indicators and financial expenditure. If progress stalls or expected results are not met, funding can be adjusted accordingly.
This results-based approach reflects a broader evolution in the way the facility is managed —moving from simply supporting promising ideas to ensuring that they translate into real, measurable impact on the ground.
To support this, monitoring has also been strengthened. Projects are followed more closely through regular six-month reporting, and clearer indicators to track progress over time. This not only reinforces accountability, but also provides a more accurate and evidence-based picture of the facility’s overall impact.
A programme gaining momentum
The evolution of the BPF is also reflected in its increasing reach and visibility. In just two years, the number of applications has almost tripled — rising from 29 in 2024 to 74 by May 2026. At the same time, its visibility has increased significantly, supported by a rapidly expanding online community.
Looking ahead
Ten years on, the BPF continues to connect Luxembourg/EU-based companies with local partners worldwide, enabling the co-creation of solutions that are both economically viable and socially impactful — from improving access to finance to supporting climate resilience.
As it moves forward, the BPF remains committed to its core ambition: supporting partnerships that create lasting, meaningful impact where it matters most.
Angeline Rousseau, BPF Fund manager
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