Deadline: 31 March 2018
The Competitive African Rice Initiative (CARI) has announced a call for expression of interest & short concepts under the CARI Matching Fund (MF) in Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.
The objective of the MF is to leverage contributions from the MF partner/consortium in order to drive sustainable improvements in the rice sector and improve the livelihoods of rice farmers in the countries where CARI is operational.
The scope of the MF is related to Output B and C and should foster inclusive business models and improved productivity along the rice value chain. This includes optimizing backward and forward linkages in the rice value chain. The scope of the MF, in comparison to the MGF under phase 1, is deliberately broader allowing for customized investments that are particular to the individual rice cluster and the constraints faced by each MF applicant that is hindering productivity in the rice value chain.
Funding Information
The MF partner/consortium is required to contribute at least 2/3 to the project budget, as the CARI contribution is limited to 1/3 (maximum). Depending on the farmer outreach and complexity of the proposed project, the CARI share shall be between 40,000 and 100,000 €.
Duration
The duration of the project can be up to 24 months in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, while contracts in Tanzania are limited to 21 months and in Ghana to 16 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- Main target group of the MF are Private Sector Organizations.
- In reasonably justified exemptions, Public Sector Institutions or Non-Governmental Organizations heading a consortium of partners can be eligible as lead MF partners. If the lead partner is not a rice mill, one of the consortium partners need to be an off-taker with whom the lead partner has a proven relationship.
- All partners must be legally recognized and empowered to enter into binding agreements.
- Eligible parties should be well established and have a strong interest in increasing productivity along the entire rice value chain. The inclusion of male and female smallholder rice farmers in sustainable business models is a core principle of CARI. Example key indicators are:
- Increased productivity and quality of paddy rice;
- Improved capacity utilization of the rice mill;
- Improved coordination among key stakeholders in the local rice value chain;
- Increased adoption of sustainable rice production techniques
How to Apply
Applicants should submit expression of interest & short concept via email at the address given on the website.
Eligible Countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.
For more information, please visit Matching Fund.