Deadline: 31-Jan-22
Applications are now invited for Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) in Uganda.
Uganda’s job creation challenge is in many ways typical of the Sub-Saharan African region. It has one of the youngest populations in the world and the working-age population is projected to double by 2040. With nearly 1 million entrants to the labor market each year, it is clear that there are not enough decent opportunities being created for Ugandan youth. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic compounded the vulnerability of youth and women, 90% of whom work in the informal sector.
The CFYE Youth Action Research found that a significant proportion of the youth aspire to be employed within IT, communication, leadership, agriculture, healthcare, and advocacy roles.
Based on the scoping study conducted in 2019, lessons from the first call and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy and employment, the second call for solutions will be more targeted with the key focus areas of creating jobs through agribusiness and value addition, creation of or matching to digital jobs and leveraging circular economy models for job creation.
CFYE wants to co-invest in innovative private sector-led initiatives that enable businesses to create or improve the employment of youth. All projects should result in decent employment for at least 500 young people (aged 15 to 35), especially young women.
Types of Windows
CFYE is looking for solutions structured around two non-exclusive windows, explained below.
- Window 1: Digital last mile solutions that use innovative approaches to deliver last-mile solutions (products or services) to customers. These solutions can cut across sectors (e-commerce, agribusiness, transport, logistics, healthcare, education, tourism, etc.) and are based on adoption of technology as a delivery mechanism. Solutions that have significant touch points for job creation and deliver a balance between urban and rural jobs are encouraged.
- Window 2: Circular economy models that use innovative approaches and/or new technologies to contribute to a circular economy, implement green approaches, regenerative, organic waste-to-value models and demonstrate potential to mainstream youth aspirations.
Eligibility Criteria
The following general criteria for eligible proposals apply:
- Principles: Should be able to adhere to CFYE’s guiding principles & priorities.
- Exclusion Criteria: the project and organizations involved in delivering the project must pass the FMO exclusion criteria.
- Local Presence: You (the lead organization), or at least one of your consortium partners, has a local operating presence in the country.
- Legality: The Lead Organisation is a legally registered private sector entity or NGO.
- Total Targets: The proposed project will create, match, improve or sustain at least 500 jobs for young men and women.
- Women Targets: Of the total youth employment created, matched, or improved, at least 50% are for women, Note however that the higher this percentage is, the more competitive your Concept Note will be.
- Decency of Jobs: For any job created, matched, or improved, the average monthly income should be representative of the local cost of living, depending on location, has no more than 48 hours/week of work, and jobs are maintained for at least six months.
- Private Sector: Only private companies can be lead applicants, but they may partner with other organisations such as NGOs or government institutions.
- Leverage & CFYE Contribution: The minimum contribution of the fund is € 200,000. This should be matched by a co-investment that is at least equal to the contribution requested. Sources of co-funding have to be approved based on the guidance provided.
- Youth: The jobs created, matched or improved would be for youth aged 18-35 years. Unless the minimum working age is otherwise stipulated by local labour laws.
- Employment type: Initiatives in both the informal and formal sectors are eligible. However, they should focus on wage employment or semi-employment (working with agents or other semi- self-employed positions as part of a company’s business model).
- Additionals:
- The CFYE contribution requested cannot exceed the total turnover of the Lead Applicant in the previous year.
- Applicant organisation can begin project implementation no later than July 2022.
For more information, visit https://fundforyouthemployment.nl/uganda/