Employment Promotion Programme IV – Sierra Leone

Call for expression of interest (EoI) from medium-sized growth-oriented enterprises for an integrated development partnership (matching grant) with the public sector to create jobs and improve incomes for youth and women.

PN: 20.2105.3-001

Background

The Employment Promotion Programme IV (EPP IV) in Sierra Leone is co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union. The programme is steered and hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. EPP’s goal is to enhance the employability of young people on both the supply (TVET) and demand (private sector) side.

Overall Goal

The aim of the EOI is to find interested Medium Enterprises with similar goals such as creating jobs and improving the income situation of the target group. We are looking for companies that want to achieve new business goals with us in an innovative and agile way. In particular, we are talking about young companies that are at the beginning of their growth phase and have already proven that they have developed with commitment and want to grow further.

The integrated Development Partnership would be a joint measure based on a substantial matching grant undertaken in any of the viable economic sectors that will contribute to job creation opportunities and increased income for EPP target groups. However, we acknowledge that companies registered outside of western area are mainly agric-based.

Purpose and Timeframe and Way forward

EPP IV looks forward to partnering in the form of a matching grant to achieve common interests in a more effective, efficient and/or sustainable manner. In establishing the partnership, factors considered but not limited to include your company’s sub-sector, geographic reach, past and current funding, key activities implemented, growth potential, social and environmental harmlessness and financial soundness. In short, after successful shortlisting, we will have the opportunity to get to know each other in detail. After this review, the final partners will be determined by an external panel. The project is scheduled to run until December 2024.

 Eligibility criteria and documents to be submitted by the enterprise

• Eligibility
  • Only businesses located and registered outside the Western Area are eligible. Businesses based in Falaba, Koinadugu, Kono, Kailahun or directly adjoining districts have an additional advantage.

• Only enterprises in the downstream value chain are eligible. Working with out-growers is an added advantage (e.g. solid local supply chain).
• Should have minimum of two (2) years of enterprise fully operational.
• Willingness to provide a matching grant of 40% (can consists of 60% in-kind contribution) of the total funding requirement (example: projected investment 100000€ = 60000€ plus 40000€ (16000€ in cash + 24000 in kind).

• – Submission

• Proof of good standing, commercial qualification, payment of taxes and social benefits: Clearance certificate of NRA, and NASSIT
• Based and registered in Sierra Leone: Certificate of Business Registration.
• Valid license for operation of such business in Sierra Leone
  • Half-page on the proposed business improvement for sustainable growth
• One page about the company and all contact details

Submission of Expressions of Interest

Enterprises should submit their “Expression of Interest” in a plain sealed envelope to the receptionist at the GIZ Employment Promotion Programme – 37 Frazer Street, Off Wilkinson Road, Freetown or via Email to rebecca.sesay@giz.de not later than 4^th June 2021, 4:30 PM local time, clearly marked with “EoI Application for Business Partnership”.

Only prequalified interested enterprises will be contacted with a template for additional information for the attention of the Matching-Grant Fund-Technical Advisory Committee for pre-evaluation. However, a brief profile that details enterprise experiences either in similar partnership and/or creating job opportunities for youth and women would be required. As a guide, make your submission in not more than two pages excluding copies of documents using font and font size of Arial and 11 respectively at line spacing 1.15.