Liberia: Access Grant for Micro, Medium and Small-Scale Enterprises

Deadline: 23-Jun-21

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Energy & Environment Program/Country Program Support intends to support the Government of Liberia through the Environmental Protection Agency to establish an Innovative Fund for Micro, Medium and Small Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) to access support for innovative waste recovery and sustainable waste management projects through the submission of proposals, and to organize community led Eco Brigades link to business setup for youth with deliberate focus on girls.

Innovation funds (also called seed funds or activation funds) are small granting funds used to jump start innovation, collaboration and self-organizing in networks. They have proven to be one of the most effective strategies for high impact networks, giving people on the ground a chance to initiate action that they believe will make a difference and often leveraging many new resources as a result of their successes (How to setup an innovation fund, June Holley).

The Innovation Fund (IF) contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction by focusing on: Innovative low-carbon technologies and processes in energy intensive industries (steel, cement, glass, chemicals, paper, etc.), including products substituting carbon intensive ones; Carbon capture and utilization (CCU); Construction and operation of carbon capture and storage (CCS); Innovative renewable energy generation, and Energy storage.

Objectives

The overall objective is to establish an Innovation Fund for Micro, Medium and Small-Scale Enterprise (MSMEs). The specific objectives are:

build on existing innovative waste management approaches
strengthen waste management value chains integrate both business sustainability and resilience environment from waste pollution
demonstrate how sustainable waste management can contribute to job creation

The programme seeks to contract SMEs, MSMEs, etc. with the most innovative project proposals for waste management approach. The following components are:

Component 1: Roadmap on the development of the garbage monitoring plan and sample awareness Brochure 20%
Component 2: Development of garbage monitoring plan and awareness Brochure and proven exhibition of the use of one or more of the three “R”. 65%
Component 3: Overhead & admin cost 15%

Funding Information

The maximum amount is US 32,000.00.
Interested, experienced and competent organizations are invited to submit grant proposals for 3 months project implementation period.

Eligibility Criteria

The potential project partners are the civil society/private sector organizations, in particular NGOs with technical expertise in value chain development/management, natural resources management, waste management, climate change mainstreaming, training, knowledge management and other relevant competencies.
Concept Notes must demonstrate private sector and MMSEs inclusion; and promotion of sustainability in the waste management value chains.
The EPA through the Energy & Environment Unit therefore invites submission of grant applications from interested and qualified organizations operating in the waste management value chains sector and or related sectors. Organizations contemplating submission of applications in response to this expression of interest (EOI) must determine whether they meet the following requirements to be eligible for the grant award:
- Minimum of 2-5 years of demonstrable organization systemic working experience in any or a combination of the following systems level areas: Value Chain Development, waste management, Market systems, SME development, and Natural resources management.
- Demonstrable ability to work with private sector partners and have experience leading/facilitating value chain development and resilience building initiatives. Prior experience working with women and youth is an added advantage.
- A team with experience working MMES waste management value chains; experience in waste management value chains, natural resources management, climate change, MMSEs development and working with national institutions.
- The organization should hold a valid business registration and task clearance.
- Provide evidence of existing relationships working in the development value chains and resilience technologies
- Provide CVs of key staff proposed for this assignment.