Deadline: 17 October 2016
The Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief and Development (ACBAR) is currently accepting proposals for its program titled- Capacity Building Fund Innovation & System Strengthening Window.
The Innovation Window supports innovations to improve access to and usage of financial services proposed by Microfinance Insitutions (MFIs) and other institutions which have a focus on access to finance. As such, this Window will support the testing and piloting of new financial products (small enterprise finance, agricultural credit, savings, sharia-compliant products, insurance, etc.) as well as the use of technology to improve access to financial services.
Activities
Following is a list of activities considered eligible for funding:
- Product development/modification and research.
- Piloting of new financial products (e.g. SME, agriculture loan, savings, Sharia-compliant products etc.)
- Fund institutions’ incremental operation costs to pilot new products and/or undertake innovations.
- Use of technology to improve access to financial services.
- Market systems development (support for value chain financing).
- Geographical expansion of the financial products.
- Other innovations designed to improve access to finance, including financial literacy.
Eligibility Criteria
The following institutions registered under relevant laws of Islamic Republic of Aghanistan are eligible to apply:
- Microfinance Institutions (MFI);
- Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions (DMFIs);
- Commercial Banks operating or planning to open microfinance or SME financing windows and/or having development goals contributing to the overall objectives of the Access to Finance Project;
- Community Saving Groups or Community based Saving Promotion Institutions (CSG/CSPIs);
- Credit Unions/Credit Cooperatives;
- Insurance companies;
- Leasing institutions;
- Mobile Network Operators offering products such as mobile money services etc; or
- Other institutions providing services contributing to achievement of the overall objectives of the Access to Finance Project.
In addition to the criteria above, the applicant shall consider the followings when they submit their concept notes:
- The proposed budget shall not exceed the maximum amount of AFN 33,000,000 per proposal;
- Consultancy Firms are not eligible to apply for the grant;
- The applicant should have at least three years relevant experience; and
- The Innovation Window funds will not include on-lending funds.
How to Apply
Interested applicants/institutions who meet the eligibility criteria should submit their concept notes for one or more activities listed above, in the prescribed format via post.
Eligible Country: Afghanistan
For more information, please visit ACBAR.