The BIMP-EAGA-ROK Cooperation Fund (BKCF) was established in 2021 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of Korea (ROK). It aims to promote inclusive and balanced growth in the BIMP-EAGA* region and ASEAN Connectivity by strengthening the partnership between the region and the ROK.

BKCF supports the BIMP-EAGA’s Vision 2025 (BEV 2025) of a “Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable and Economically competitive (R.I.S.E) BIMP-EAGA to narrow the development gap.” Among the list of sectors from BEV 2025, BKCF prioritizes four priority sectors: Connectivity, Environment, Tourism, and Agriculture and Fisheries.

BIMP-EAGA: Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) covers the entire Sultanate of Brunei Darussalam; the provinces of Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and West Papua of Indonesia; the states of Sabah, Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan in Malaysia; and the Island of Mindanao and the province of Palawan in the Philippines (https://bimp-korea.org/eng_test/about_test/about.php).

BKCF provides the financial basis to support cooperation projects initiated by BIMP-EAGA countries and the ROK MOFA, independently or jointly. BKCF projects are selected and approved at the annual BIMP-EAGA-ROK Senior Officials’ Meeting based on the consensus from all parties.

GGGI, as the operating entity and fund depository of BKCF, is responsible for overseeing and managing the overall project process. This includes announcing calls for proposals, receiving and reviewing submissions, shortlisting selected proposals, and managing and monitoring projects under implementation. During the project implementation phase, GGGI plays a key role in monitoring ongoing projects and ensuring the timely submission of reports and budgets.

Priority Sectors

– Environment: BKCF promotes projects related to climate change adaptation and mitigation, clean and green technology development, and sustainable ecosystems to strengthen climate change resilience and preserve the environment.

– Tourism: BKCF supports projects for eco-friendly and sustainable tourism development.

– Connectivity: BKCF supports projects related to ICT and digital transformation, the transport sector, investment and trade facilitation measures to contribute to enhancing subregional economic integration.

– Agriculture and Fisheries: BKCF promotes projects that contribute to long-term food security from climate change and stable livelihoods for farmers in the BIMP-EAGA region.

Since the launch of the 1^st call for proposals in 2021, a total of 30 projects with a total of USD 10M have been funded across the 1^st to 4^th calls.

The BKCF Call for Proposals opens at the beginning of each year. Detailed information, including the application period and process, BKCF guidelines and required documents, is available on the GGGI BKCF Website.

Eligibility of Proponent(s) for Project Application

Government agencies, public sector institutes, academic and research institutes, NGOs, private sector entities, or any other autonomous institutes from member countries of BIMP-EAGA and the ROK are eligible to submit funding requests. Individuals are not eligible to apply for the fund.

Grant Award

BKCF accepts proposals for:

– One-year grant: minimum of USD 100,000 and a maximum of USD 500,000

– Two-year grant (total amount): minimum of USD 200,000 and a maximum of USD 500,000

– Multiple countries or BIMP-EAGA regional projects: maximum of USD 250,000 per country

Developing Land Management Options for Diverse Cacao based system in Mindanao

– Proponent: University of Southern Mindanao (USM)
– Project Period: 11.25 – 2024.11.24
– Project Funding: USD 136,310.24
– Programmatic Solutions: Climate Resilient Agriculture

– Project Summary:
The project empowers smallholder cacao farmers to tackle the impact of climate change and market challenges by equipping them with appropriate technologies and skills to utilize local resources for producing high-quality, safe cacao beans. During the experiment phase in Mindanao, Philippines, soil treatments significantly increased cacao pod production per tree. Alongside a cacao price surge from 95 pesos per kg in 2022 to 250 pesos in June 2024, farmers’ incomes tripled.

Off-grid Solar Home Systems Deployment in Disaster Vulnerable Low-income Communities in Surigao Island, Mindanao

– Proponent: Light of Hope PH Ventures Inc.
– Project Period: 05.01-2025.04.30
– Project Funding: USD 250,970
– Programmatic Solutions: Solar Energy

– Project Summary:
The project is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged, off-the-grid communities through clean renewable energy technologies. The project emphasizes raising awareness about reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making clean energy accessible for underserved populations, by deploying Solar Cloudgrid Units in climate-vulnerable areas of the Surigao Islands. Each unit includes a solar panel, energy storage box, two LED bulbs, four USB ports for mobile charging, and an optional ceiling fan, providing more than 12 hours of light and powering mobile charging for households and neighbors.

Intelligent Water Loss Management System in Sarawak, Malaysia

– Proponent: WI. Plat Co. Ltd
– Project Period: 03.25 – 2025.03.24
– Project Funding: USD 298,600
– Programmatic Solutions: Green Buildings

– Project Summary:
The project aims to tackle water loss issues in Sarawak, Malaysia, where aging infrastructure, irregular water storage, and limited operational expertise have led to high rates of non-revenue water. The project implements an Intelligent Water Loss Management System to provide a stable and high-quality water supply for residents, with the goal of reducing the Minimum Night Flow rate by 20%, improving water supply efficiency in Samariang. This will involve advanced AI and IoT-based leak detection technology, pressure analysis, on-site verification, and capacity-building programs for local water utility staff for long-term sustainability.