Through this intervention, the Fund is running competitive challenges or calls for proposals aimed at Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that show the potential to create work opportunities for young women and men, young people living with disabilities or refugee youth in Sub-Saharan Africa. So far, the challenges will focus on three sectors to establish a robust portfolio of innovative SMEs as they create work opportunities.
THE AGRIBUSINESS CHALLENGE FUND  The Agribusiness Challenge Fund is a rolling call for proposals open for nine months that started on 18 March 2024. The first and second harvests of applications have been completed. SMEs can still register and apply for the third harvest. The challenge is open to applications from any country as long as the projects are being implemented in one or more of the 20 focus countries and meet the eligibility criteria of the challenge. | THE CLIMATE ADAPTATION CHALLENGE FUND  The Climate Adaptation Challenge Fund will be a rolling call for proposals that will launch in 2024 or 2025 and be open for nine months. Details of the challenge will be provided at a later stage. | THE DIGITAL ECONOMY CHALLENGE FUND  The Digital Economy Challenge Fund challenge will be a rolling call for proposals that will launch in 2026 and be open for nine months. Details of the challenge will be provided at a later stage.
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APPLICATION PROCESS
In stage one, an SME must first create a profile on our application platform with an email and password. This registration needs to be done once only and is the access point to any application forms in any current or future challenge. Once registered, an applicant is given access to the application form template and can apply before the next harvest date. Thereafter, shortlisting takes place for the next stage.
At the business plan stage, successful applicants shortlisted in stage one can prepare and refine their business plans, with successful applicants ultimately decided by a Selection Committee
Below are the important dates and deadlines for the Agribusiness Challenge Fund. Additional periods will be announced at a later stage.
Challenge periods | Dates | Status |
Agribusiness Challenge Fund launch | 18/03/2024 | Complete |
Harvest 1 | 07/06/2024 | Complete |
Harvest 2 | 30/08/2024 | Complete |
Harvest 3 | 22/11/2024 | |
Challenge closes after Harvest 3 | 22/11/2024 |
ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION
Each challenge fund sector of focus is different. However, all challenges will seek proposals from SMEs that are innovative, commercially viable, and that will create dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young women and men, young people living with disabilities or refugee youth. In each challenge, applicants will be required to meet certain criteria. Selection will be based on applications meeting a certain threshold of the Fund selection criteria. Read more about this on the specific challenge page.
