CFPs for Private Sector Co-investment Grant Facility to Support Agriculture in Sierra Leone

Deadline: 20-Mar-21

UNOPS is calling for Proposals for Private Sector Co-investment Grant Facility to Support Agriculture Production, Agro- Processing and Other MSMEs under the Rural Electrification in Sierra Leone (RESL) Project.

Funding Information

Category 1: $30 000-$50 000;
Category 2: $1 000-$10 000;
Category 3: $ 5000-$20 000;
Category 4: $10 000.

Outcomes

The outcomes to be achieved under WP6 are:

Mini-grid communities register improved economic growth through the promotion of productive use activities.
Improve the commercial sustainability of the mini-grids through private sector development and the promotion of income-generating activities of the mini-grid communities.
Improved social development for targeted communities.

Eligibility Criteria

Category 1: Inclusive Business Co-Investment Grants
- Business/Organisation must be registered and have been operating for at least 3 years. (All registration documents (Business registration, District/City Council, NASSIT and NRA must be uptodate).
- Business/organisation must submit copies of the following:
  - Business shareholding including letter/board resolution confirming the business representative.
  - Financial statements for the last 3 years.
  - Lease agreements/ Title deeds for business premises.
  - Three references from reputable organisations within the last 3 years.
    - Track record in working with low-income communities(Documentary evidence, references, contracts).
    - A letter stating how the applicant intends to raise co-funding of at least 50% of the total grantee budget.
    - Businesses should be located at the RESL/RREP project sites (Refer to annex E) or alternatively business must have business interests/relationships with other businesses/community groups which are based at the RESL/RREP project sites.
    - Submission of all required documents ( Grant proposal in a template provided, Budget in a template provided).
Category 2: Co-Investment Grants for Rural Based Enterprises
- Registered Business.
- Business must have been operating for at least 1 year and must submit the following:
  - Business ownership records and a letter confirming the representative of the business.
  - Financial statements or Business records for the last year.
  - Lease agreements / Proof of ownership of business premises.
  - Copies of previous and current business contracts.
  - 3 References from reputable organizations.
  - Proof of co-funding of at least 40% of total grantee budget for male and 30% for women-owned businesses demonstrated through bank statements, loan/grant agreements and other legal documents.
  - Existing businesses wishing to diversify into ventures that use electricity from the mini-grids are also eligible.
Category 3: Co-Investment Grants for Community Based Group Enterprises
- The group must be registered.
- Documentary evidence of training of the group management.
- The group must have a Constitution.
- The group must have been operating a business for at least 1 year and the following documents must be submitted:
  - Letter of appointment of group representative Financial statements or Business Records for the last year.
  - Lease agreements or proof of ownership of business premises.
  - Constitution and meeting minutes for the last 2 meetings.
  - Proof of recognized registration.
  - Copies of previous and current business contracts.
  - Three references from reputable organizations
    - Proof of existing market linkages arrangements.
    - Proof of co-funding of at least 20% of total grantee budget demonstrated through bank statements, loan/grant agreements and other relevant legal documents.
Category 4: Grants for Youth Groups
- The group must be registered.
- Documentary evidence that the group has gone through entrepreneurship development training.
- The group must have a Constitution.
- The group must have been running a business for at least 6 months and the following must be submitted
  - Letter of appointment of Group representative.
  - Business Records for the past 6-12 months.
  - Lease agreements or proof of permission to use business premises.
  - Constitution and meeting minutes.
  - Proof of registration/recognition of a group.
  - Copies of previous and current business contracts.
  - References from other reputable organizations.