CARE Collective Fund

The CARE Collective Fund is a global impact grant initiative from GOT BAG, a German company known for its commitment to sustainability through products made from recycled ocean plastic. The fund aims to empower individuals and organizations worldwide that are working on ocean health, plastic pollution, and climate action. It prioritizes low-barrier funding to make grants accessible to grassroots initiatives that often struggle with traditional funding. GOT BAG envisions building a global network of partners, from local community groups to larger organizations driving systemic change. The fund supports innovative solutions to protect marine ecosystems, reduce plastic waste, and combat climate change, fostering a collaborative ecosystem of environmental stewardship.

• Grant funding of €10,000 (approx. ₹9 lakhs)
• Non-repayable and equity-free funding
• Open to social enterprises, NGOs, activists, and researchers
• Focus on ocean health, plastic pollution, and climate action
• Global reach with priority for Global South, Southeast Asia, Coastal Africa
• Funds to be spent within 12 months

The CARE Collective Fund is inclusive and welcomes applications from social enterprises, impact startups, activists, research projects, established NGOs, and grassroots community groups. While the fund is global, GOT BAG gives geographic priority to initiatives in the Global South, Southeast Asia, and coastal Africa. Indian social enterprises focusing on ocean health, plastic reduction, or climate action that align with these priority regions are encouraged to confirm their eligibility with GOT BAG. The program is designed for maximum accessibility and supports diverse approaches to environmental impact.

CARE Collective Fund is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for CARE Collective Fund closed on 4 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Selected applicants receive a non-repayable grant of €10,000 (approximately ₹9,00,000). This is low-barrier capital with no equity dilution or repayment required. Funds are typically disbursed around August 2026 and must be used within 12 months. Beyond financial support, recipients gain access to GOT BAG's expanding global network of partners, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing within the ocean health, plastic pollution, and climate action communities.

CARE Collective Fund is offered by GOT BAG, a corporate programme. It is delivered directly by GOT BAG as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are screened for eligibility and alignment with the fund's mission. A review committee comprising experts in sustainability and social impact evaluates each application based on potential impact, innovation, feasibility, and the applicant's capacity to deliver. Special consideration is given to initiatives with a strong grassroots presence or operating in priority regions like the Global South, Southeast Asia, and coastal Africa. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for virtual interviews before final selections.

Before you apply to CARE Collective Fund, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.

CARE Collective Fund is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹9L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.