Cambodia: Open-Window Challenge Fund for Establishing Agri- Fisheries MSME Demonstration Sites

Deadline: 26-Mar-21

Applications are now open for the Open-Window Challenge Fund for Establishing Agri- Fisheries MSME Demonstration Sites Using Solar Technologies.

The SWITCH to Solar project, funded by the European Union (EU) through the SWITCH-Asia Programme and the Czech Republic through the Czech Development Agency (CzDA) is a 4- year project that kicked off in May-2020 and will run through 2024. The project is implemented by a consortium of three partners, People in Need (PIN), EnergyLab and Sevea. This project aims to contribute to sustainable and inclusive economic growth in rural areas of Cambodia by reducing the environmental impacts of MSMEs and consumers’ energy consumption and generating green employment opportunities.

SWITCH to Solar expects to benefit approximately 1,140,000 final beneficiaries (women, men, children). This project set the target groups across 5 provinces in the Tonle Sap region (Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang, Siem Reap, and Kampong Thom) and Phnom Penh city as follows:

9,000 MSMEs in the agri-fisheries sector across potential value chains.
20 Solar technology providers (STPs) and entrepreneurs in Cambodia and regionally.
15 Financial institutes and intermediaries.
70 Retailers and 250 sales agents/after-sale service providers.
At least 100 staff from line ministries/sub-national agencies: MAFF, PDAFF, MoE, MME, NCSD.
60 students from technical universities in Cambodia.

Duration

The selected applicants will work closely with Sevea & PIN for a minimum of 1 year.

Eligibility Criteria

This challenge fund is opened for entrepreneurs or established private organizations (agri- businesses or solar technology providers) who are interested in developing and/or testing innovative technology or service, contributing to market expansion with a new solution, or by scaling a proven concept.

Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation committee will select the STPS or entrepreneurs interested in setting-up demonstration sites or projects based on the following criteria:

Innovative technology for the agri-fishery MSMEs.
Addressing the identified sector gaps and market needs.
Implementation feasibility.
Impact and scale-up potential.
Adequate human resources to manage the project.
Capacity to ensure and provide a high-quality solution.
Interest in developing the demonstration site or project.
Willingness to provide financing options to the expected customers/ agri-fishery MSMEs.
Capacity to invest or contribute to the total expected costs.
Ability to provide services to the expected customers/ agri-fishery MSMEs.
Experience & knowledge in the related agri-fishery sector(s).