Call For Applications: The Agribusiness Challenge Fund For SMEs in Africa ( Up to US$ 2,500,000)
The Agribusiness Challenge Fund is a rolling call for proposals open from 18 March 2024 to 22 November 2024, with three application harvest periods in between. The challenge is open to SME applications from any country as long as the projects meet the eligibility criteria and are being implemented in at least one of the 20 focus countries the Fund is targeting.
Support from the Fund includes grants ranging from US$ 500,000 to US$ 2,500,000, disbursed over a three-year period, based on the applicant’s development stage, scalability, and business model, in accordance with agreed periodic milestone targets. The funding structure will be determined on a case-by-case basis after evaluating proposals and organizations. Additional support to successful applicants will include tailored technical assistance in alignment with the Fund objectives over the three-year period.
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CATEGORIES OF INTEREST IN THE AGRIBUSINESS CHALLENGE
- Primary production
- Processing and aggregation
- Trading and market linkages
CATEGORIES OF INTEREST WITHIN THE AGRICULTURE VALUE CHAIN
While broadly interested in any agribusiness opportunity that is capable of work creation opportunities for young women and men, those working in these or other parts of the agriculture value chain are encouraged to apply:
| ForestryFishingHorticulturePlant BreedingAgro input suppliesCash crop – cocoaCash crop – cottonCash crop – coffee | Cash crop – teaFruits and vegetablesLivestock – dairyLivestock – beefLivestock – goatsLivestock – pigPoultrySolar powered agriculture toolsEarly warning systemsClimate resilient crop varieties | Food storage and preservationFarmer training on adaptation techniquesCrop insurance servicesSmart irrigation systemsDrip irrigationSoil moisture sensorsOrganic fertilizersBioenergy production and fossil fuelsSolar powered agricultural toolsCapacity building |
Applicants will be requested to also state and describe if they have integrated climate adaptation, climate mitigation or digital aspects to their projects.
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ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:
To be eligible to apply, an SME must:
- Be involved in the sector of focus i.e. agriculture.
- Be an existing for-profit Small or Medium-sized Enterprise.
- Be implementing business in at least one of the 20 focus countries in Africa.
- Be requesting for grant funding ranging from US$ 500,000 to US$ 2,500,000, disbursed over a three-year period, based on applicants’ development stage, scalability, and business model. Additional tailored technical assistance will be provided to successful applicants.
- Be providing matching contribution of at least 30% of the total project cost.
- Have innovative, practical, and scalable businesses that aim to create work opportunities for young women and men, young people with disabilities or refugee youth.
- Adhere to fundamental human rights, labour standards, and environmental management laws, both nationally and internationally, including seed laws/policy.
- Refrain from any involvement in acts of terrorism or support for terrorist activities.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Applications in the Agribusiness Challenge Fund will be selected based on the following criteria:
| Project description and objective |
| Alignment with Fund for Resilience and Prosperity priorities |
| Project impact |
| Financing plan/Matching funds |
| Team structure |
| Additionality |
Deadline: 22 November 2024