The Challenge Fund aims to invest in business models that will strengthen national and regional trade for targeted staple foods: maize, millet, sorghum and cassava. Businesses or companies are invited to bid based on rules that are set and publicized. These rules cover eligibility, the bidding process and how bids will be evaluated. To maintain transparency, ensure fairness and integrity and maximise efficiency, four separate bodies administer the process and decide on who gets funding. These are: the Challenge Fund Management Team (CFMT), the Internal Review Committee (IRC), the Independent Assessment Panel (IAP), and the Programme Steering Committee (PSC).
The intention is to get funds to businesses or companies that truly need them and can use them effectively. The funds are to help the companies realize the broader aims of the programme, which are to increase availability of staple foods, increase purchasing power of farmers and consumers in food-insecure regions of the Sahel as well as their resilience to hunger and malnutrition during the regular hungry seasons and periodic shocks.
Eligibility
- The applicant must be a for-profit-company.
- The project must focus on activities that directly or indirectly stimulate cross-border trade of staplefood commodities.
- The project must be working in the target staple foods value chains (maize, sorghum, millet and cassava).
- The grant amount requested must be between GBP 100,000 and GBP 1m.
- There is a requirement of co-financing of at least the same amount by the applicant.
- The applicant will have to meet all eligibility criteria. Ineligible applications are declined and a feedback letter sent to the applicant. Limited comments will be provided to unsuccessful applicants and they may be requested to contact the PMU where they require additional information.
Other things to know
Being selected is the first of a three-part second stage of the funding process. It is structured in 6 steps. During this stage, WAFM Challenge Fund Management Team (CFMT) engages with and visits all companies preparing proposals. The final proposals are presented to the Independent Assessment Panel (IAP) followed by the Programme Steering Committee (PSC) for approval of projects that will win the competition.
Deadline: November 27, 2015
To apply and for more information visit here
