UNCDF: Mexico Action Research on Private Sector Scaling Digitization

Deadline: 26-Jul-21

UNCDF is inviting applications for Mexico Action Research on Private Sector Scaling Digitization Initiative Industry Acceleration of Adoption of Digital Payment to catalyze a global movement from cash to digital payments to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Alliance has 75 members, including national governments from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, companies and international organizations which have committed to digitizing payments.

The purpose for the intervention is to identify a company which will carry on action research to support the efforts of FMCG companies are leading in Mexico to digitize payments across their value chains.

The research will entail the strategic analysis of several multi-company and multi-service payments platforms and the identification of barriers and accelerators for the adoption and usage of digital payments for small merchants in Mexico’s retail segment.

Objective

The objective of the study is to support the members of the Forum to align their thinking on the main opportunities and actions that will allow accelerating the digitalization of payments in the traditional Mexican channel.
As part of the analysis done by the consultant, current public and internal studies will be used as inputs; for which members of the Forum will be asked to contribute with relevant studies available to them.
Furthermore, Forum members will be asked to act as promoters of work paths to support and validate the consultant’s work.

Funding Information

UNCDF will contribute a grant for up to USD 100,000 and will award one applicant pending on the investment readiness level and outreach potential of the solution proposed.

Deliverables

The Better Than Cash Alliance is seeking applications from qualified technical partners (e.g., commercial for-profit consulting firms, non-for-profit organizations, social enterprises) with proven experience in conducting multi-stakeholder interviews and analysis for recommendations, as well as research on the adoption and usage of digital payments for small merchants in Mexico’s retail segment.
The service provider needs to have experience working on access to financial services in Mexico, with a particular focus on the adoption of digital financial services and business model analysis, as well as understanding of FMCGs business models and distribution.
Experience of facilitating multi-stakeholder workshops and providing action-driven recommendations based on innovative approaches, is essential.

Eligibility Criteria

The applicant/ lead applicant must be a registered entity.

Relevant operation licenses.
The lead applicant must be licensed to provide the services.
The applicant can be based [anywhere globally/ duly registered/ duly registered and having at least two year of operations in Mexico.
Consortiums (when applicable)
- Applicants may apply only once under this RFA, whether independently or in a consortium.
- Joint applications between market players in the target country or
- countries are encouraged if the solution proposed will expand delivery networks and promote rural and/or other last-mile access to [include the type of services the RFA is promoting].
- Applications from consortiums of organizations must show that the partnership was established priorto this call for applications.
- The lead applicant and their financial service provider partner must be registered entities with at least one year of operations and must have statutory accounts and audited financial statements for at least one operating year.
Grant agreement: Written confirmation that the organization has reviewed the UNCDF Grant Agreement template and is prepared to sign it without revision to the standard language.
Application: Submission of a complete application