Call for Proposals: Urban Fabric Initiative (UFI) in the Greater Monrovia (Liberia)

Deadline: 29-May-23

Urban Fabric Initiative under the Monrovia Integrated Development Project Within the frame of the Monrovia Integrated Development Project (MIDP), AFD is launching a call for proposals for the Urban Fabric Initiative (UFI) in the Greater Monrovia, Liberia.

The aim is to fund small-scale public space upgrading and community infrastructure projects co-designed and co-produced by residents and urban stakeholders, and implemented in close collaboration with local and national authorities (Ministry of Public Works, Monrovia City Council, Paynesville City Council).

The UFI targeted through this Call is the first initiative of this kind in Liberia designed in the framework of the Monrovia Integrated Development Project (MIDP).

Purpose

• The UFI aims to promote innovation in the adaptation of public spaces and community facilities to the climate change effects, by associating local communities and promoting local resources.
• The Applicants to this Call for Initiative shall submit a proposal for the global animation of the UFI project, i.e. allow the emergence and the realization of temporary or transient micro-projects carried or concerted with the actors of the civil society, with the aim of supporting the preparation, the appropriation and the sustainability of the future infrastructures of the MIDP, with a sought-after effect of replicability and subsequent training in terms of the conduct of urban projects in partnership.

Funding Information

• AFD has an estimated budget of EUROS 900 000 for the UFI.
• Duration: The UFI shall be implemented in a maximum period of 36 months.

Sectors of activity concerned

• UFIs combine temporary urbanism and placemaking approaches with a focus on public space upgrading (testing street furniture, greening), improved walkability (testing pedestrian traffic on a crossroads, materializing public transport stops) or community infrastructure (a stage, mobile library on a future cultural facility site,). In the long term, UFIs are intended to shift the methods employed in urban projects towards more participation, agility, improved governance with civil society and a better integration of residents’ needs, particularly regarding the functional programming and design of the facilities to be delivered.
• Examples of micro-projects and urban upgrading initiatives that could emerge from the UFI:
  • Development of spaces dedicated to future sports facilities and organization of sports events;
  • Building of Community Hall integrating bio-climatic standards;
  • Facilitation of cultural and artistic events in the public space and in the spaces dedicated to the future cultural facilities;
  • Development of (multipurpose) public or green spaces (prefiguration of the sports trail with the residents, temporary development of a recreational garden with recycled materials, spaces mixing economic and recreational uses);
  • Installation of permanent, temporary or mobile equipment and facilities (a kiosk or food stall for example);
  • Citizen digital communication tools for the management of the neighborhood;
  • Waste management and recycling facilities.

Geographical Areas

• The UFI shall implement activities and/or microprojects in the three neighborhoods of Lakpazee, WoodCamp and Shoe Factory benefiting from the MIDP activities.
• In each neighborhood, UFI activities and micro-projects shall be implemented on at least one Community Corner site to be developed under MIDP.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Proposals Proponents:
  • The Urban Fabric Initiative “UFI” Call for Proposals (“the Call”) aims to identify and grant funding to a development project led by organizations defined as:
    • International and national organizations, alone or in partnership with other organizations, particularly local ones;
    • With previous experience in the Greater Monrovia;
    • With experience in implementing projects related to urban development, urban mobility, urban governance and/or urban innovation;
    • Able to demonstrate their ability to manage, coordinate and implement large scale/ complex projects.
    • The Call for Proposals is aimed for organizations (international organizations, international and national NGOs, CBOs, CSOs) looking to implement an Urban Fabric Initiative (UFI) in the Greater Monrovia, Liberia.
    • Applicants must provide evidence of partnerships with local organizations for the implementation of the project presented, through a methodology presenting their potential partners. In this case, the activities and estimated remuneration of each organization must be explicitly stated for each project component.
    • To be eligible, the organization or the consortium leader will have to ensure that the budget of the submitted project should not represent more than 70% of their annual resources over the last 3 certified financial years.

For more information, visit French Development Agency.