Deadline: 11-Apr-2024
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking CSOs, NNGOs and CBOs based in Abyei with demonstrated capacity to deliver MSE business development services and training on agriculture value chain-based skills training.
The Youth and Women Enterprise Development through Micro credits/SMS startup initiatives project seek to ensure that young women and youth aged 18-35 years with the potential to grow as entrepreneurs are self-employed and/or create employment for others through their businesses. Specifically, the project will address: (i) strengthening entrepreneurship skills provision; (ii) the lack of access to finance; (iii) the lack of access to markets and information. The project will also support entrepreneurship opportunities unveiled in the climate adaptation and climate resilience ecosystem through renewable energy/green livelihoods.
The project will use the community-owned and initiated, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) model to enhance youth employment through the creation and sustainability of MSEs in the five (5) counties, including Abyei town and Amiet Market. The training will be delivered through the integrated business/employment, and Innovation Hubs (iHubs) established by UNDP in partnership with the private sector, and financial institutions. The project will support the establishment of new and existing growth oriented small scale enterprise initiative/SMSEs through the agriculture value chain in horticulture, honey, sesame, groundnuts, poultry, fish, cattle, and shea butter and confectionaries. A quick Need Assessment and key informant interviews will be carried out in to inform the selection of the value chains at the commencement of the project in April.
Objectives
- To organize selected youth in each county into Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), 30 people per VSLAs based on common economic activities and register as cooperatives,
- To establish business groups (at least 5 youth per group) within the VSLAs organized and provide business development services, entrepreneurship training, and agriculture value chain-based technical skills training and register as MSEs.
- To deliver tailored business development services, entrepreneurship training, technical skills training related to the selected value chains, product development, packaging, and marketing support to targeted youth in each county,
- To conduct an analysis, select sub-sectors of value chains with high potential, identify medium and large enterprises as off-takers, and develop a strategy to establish business linkages.
- To provide marketing support to MSEs and conduct business linkages between youth-led MSEs and markets at the national and regional levels through medium and large enterprises as off-takers
- To coordinate with selected SMEs and provide access to interest-free loans ranging from US$ 3,000 – US$ 5,000 per MSE based on the capacity to absorb the funds and grow the business.
- To provide mentoring and coaching to the MSEs to increase revenue by 50% and employ an average of 2 new employees per MSE.
Funding Information
- The budget should be detailed, complete, rational, and realistic, and must not exceed the equivalent of USD$100,000 (One hundred thousand United States of American dollars).
- Administrative costs must not exceed 10% of the total proposed amount.
- The Project duration is seven (3) months.
Expected Output/Deliverables
- Some key outputs are expected:
- Five (5) Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) consisting of 30 people per VSLAS based on common economic activities are registered as cooperatives.
- Business groups (at least 5 youth per group) within the VSLAs organized and business development services, entrepreneurship training, and agriculture value chain-based technical skills training and register as MSEs provided.
- Tailored business development services, entrepreneurship training, technical skills training related to the selected value chains, product development, packaging, and marketing support to targeted youth in each county delivered.
- An analysis, select sub-sectors of value chains with high potential, identify medium and large enterprises as off-takers, and develop a strategy to establish business linkages conducted.
- Marketing support to MSEs and conduct business linkages between youth-led MSEs and markets at the national and regional levels through medium and large enterprises as off-takers provided.
- Selected SMEs and received interest-free loans ranging from US$ 3,000 – US$ 5,000 per MSE based on the capacity to absorb the funds and grow the business.
- Mentoring and coaching to the MSEs to increase revenue by 50% and employ an average of 2 new employees per MSE are provided.
Eligibility Criteria
- The CSO/NNGO/CBO must meet the following criteria to be eligible for selection:
- Legally registered with the MoJCA and in possession of a valid registration certificate.
- Mandate and founding documents should be in line with activities for which the fund is being sought.
- CSO must based and have an office in Abyei.
- Have an established office in the state where the civic education will take place with email and office telephones; and possess experience in implementing similar/related activities.
- Politically neutral.
For more information, visit UNDP.