UNOPS is calling for Proposals for Private Sector Co-investment Grant Facility to Support Agriculture Production, Agro- Processing and Other MSMEs under the Rural Electrification in Sierra Leone (RESL) Project.

Funding Information

• Category 1: $30 000-$50 000
• Category 2: $1 000-$10 000
• Category 3: $ 5000-$20 000
• Category 4: $10 000

Outcomes

The outcomes to be achieved under WP6 are:

1. Mini-grid communities register improved economic growth through the promotion of productive use activities
2. Improve the commercial sustainability of the mini-grids through private sector development and the promotion of income-generating activities of the mini-grid communities.
3. Improved social development for targeted communities

Eligibility Criteria

Category 1: Inclusive Business Co-Investment Grants

• Business/Organisation must be registered and have been operating for at least 3 years. (All registration documents (Business registration, District/City Council, NASSIT and NRA must be uptodate)
• Business/organisation must submit copies of the following:
  • Business shareholding including letter/board resolution confirming the business representative
  • Financial statements for the last 3 years
  • Lease agreements/ Title deeds for business premises
  • Three references from reputable organisations within the last 3 years
    • Track record in working with low income communities(Documentary evidence, references, contracts )
    • Letter stating how applicant intends to raise cofunding of at least 50% of total grantee budget.
    • Businesses should be located at the RESL/RREP project sites (Refer to annex E) or alternatively business must have business interests/relationships with other businesses/community groups which are based at the RESL/RREP project sites
    • Submission of all required documents ( Grant proposal in template provided, Budget in template provided)

Category 2: Co- Investment Grants for Rural Based Enterprises

• Registered Business
• Business must have been operating for at least 1 year and must submit the following:
  • Business ownership records and letter confirming the representative of the business
  • Financial statements or Business records for the last year
  • Lease agreements / Proof of ownership of business premises
  • Copies of previous and current business contracts
  • 3 References from reputable organizations
  • Proof of co- funding of at least 40% of total grantee budget for male and 30% for women owned businesses demonstrated through bank statements, loan/grant agreements and other legal documents
  • Existing businesses wishing to diversify into ventures that use electricity from the mini grids are also eligible

Category 3: Co- Investment Grants for Community Based Group Enterprises

• Group must be registered
• Documentary evidence of training of the group management
• Group must have a Constitution
• Group must have been operating a business for at least 1 year and the following documents must be submitted:
  • Letter of appointment of group representative Financial statements or Business Records for the last year
  • Lease agreements or proof of ownership of business premises
  • Constitution and meeting minutes for the last 2 meetings
  • Proof of recognized registration
  • Copies of previous and current business contracts
  • Three references from reputable organizations
    • Proof of existing market linkages arrangements
    • Proof of co- funding of at least 20% of total grantee budget demonstrated through bank statements, loan/grant agreements and other relevant legal documents

Category 4: Grants for Youth Groups

• Group must be registered
• Documentary evidence that the group has gone through entrepreneurship development training
• Group must have a Constitution
• Group must have been running a business for at least 6 months and the following must be submitted
  • Letter of appointment of Group representative
  • Business Records for the past 6-12 months
  • Lease agreements or proof of permission to use business premises
  • Constitution and meeting minutes
  • Proof of registration/recognition of group
  • Copies of previous and current business contracts
  • References from other reputable organizations

For more information, visit UNOPS.