Deadline: 15 June 2017
The Norad is seeking proposals for its “Strategic Partnership for Strengthening Framework Conditions for the Private Sector” to stimulate to a business climate that promotes private sector development (PSD) in the developing countries.
Priority Areas
- Agriculture, including agro-processing
- Fish and marine resources
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Decentralized, off-grid solutions and skills shortages in renewable energy
Funding Information
- The call for concept papers has a tentative scope of NOK 50 million.
- The minimum grant is NOK five million.
Eligible Activities
Project activities must promote public goods, and not be limited to one particular investment project only. Possible eligible activities could be:
- Training of skilled labor for a whole industry or a group of companies (based on real, documented needs by the private sector). This could be both at the vocational level, but also on higher technical/managerial levels. Industry associations and chambers of commerce/industry would be natural lead applicants here.
- Mechanisms or institutions that will improve the access to SME-finance (not microfinance) or rural finance.
- Initiatives within quality improvement and certification for a whole sector.
- Establishment of incubators/accelerators within a specific value chain to boost the output of local SMEs in a particular value chain.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible strategic partnership project concepts should encompass collaboration between an institution operating on a non-profit basis (e.g., foundations, business/industry organizations or chambers of commerce) and a private company.
- The non-profit institution would be the main applicant. In addition, where it is useful for the effectiveness of the project, it could include collaboration with other entities capable of contributing to improving specific framework conditions within a sector in the recipient country, including possibly government authorities/institutions in the recipient country.
- Collaboration with the private sector is required to ensure that the proposed project is based on real and tangible private sector needs. However, there must be clear mechanisms for handling potential conflicts of interest and the private sector contribution to the project should be done on a break-even basis (i.e. on a non-profit basis).
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via email at the address given on the website.
Eligible Countries: Colombia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Myanmar, Tanzania and Uganda.
For more information, please visit Norad Call for Concept Notes.