Deadline: 28 February 2018
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan has received a grant from the International Development Association (IDA) for the Access to Finance Project. MISFA is responsible for implementation of Component-1 of the project (Improving access to financial services for micro and small enterprises) and intends to apply part of the proceeds of the grant to Capacity Building Fund with the aim improving access to financial services in Afghanistan.
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.
Grant Information
The proposed budget shall not exceed the maximum amount of AFN 33,000,000 per proposal; and the project budget must be prepared in line with NTA/CBR scales.
Eligible 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:
- 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 should submit their concept notes at the address given on the website.
Eligible Country: Afghanistan
For more information, please visit Call for Proposals.