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 willing to create jobs and improve the income situation of the target group. We are looking for enterprises that want to achieve new business goals with us in an innovative and agile way. In particular, we are talking about young enterprises 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. We acknowledge that enterprises registered outside of the Western Area are mainly agric-based.
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 enterprise’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 enterprises based and registered in Sierra Leone with operational sites outside Western Urban Area are eligible. Businesses with operational sites 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% of the total funding requirement. The 40% matching grant can consist of 60% in-kind contribution. Example: if the projected investment is 100,000€ = 60,000€ received as grant plus 40,000€ contributed by the enterprise (can be 16,000€ in cash + 24,000€ 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: Valid certificate of Business Registration.
- Valid license for operation of such business in Sierra Leone
- Half-page on the proposed business idea for sustainable growth (0.5 page / max. 300 words)
- One page about the enterprise and all contact details (1 page, max. 600words)
Submission of Expressions of Interest
Enterprises should submit their “Expression of Interest”
- in a plain sealed envelope with “EoI Application for Business Partnership” to the receptionist at the GIZ Office Employment Promotion Programme – 37 Frazer Street, Off Wilkinson Road, Freetown
- OR via Email to sl_inquiry@giz.de with the subject “EoI Application for Business Partnership”
Not later than 28February 2022, 5:30 PM local time. Submission should not exceed two pages (excluding copies of documents) using font and font size of Arial and 11 respectively at line spacing 1.15. For any questions, contact sl_inquiry@giz.de with the subject “INQUIRY Business Partnership”.
Only prequalified applicants will be contacted with a template for additional information for the attention of the Matching Grant Fund Technical Advisory Committee for pre-evaluation.
