Call for Concept Notes
Cocoa, Maize, Livestock
- Open now -
Are you working in the cocoa, maize, or livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) sectors in a member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific states? Are you from the private sector, with a high interest in resilience, competitiveness, or direct supply linkages with off-takers for sustainability?
Do you have an innovative idea that makes the above-mentioned value chains less fragmented, more inclusive, particularly for women and youth, sustainable, and profitable? This also includes innovations for by-products of the sectors.
Then this is a unique opportunity for you to realize your goal!
Matching Grant Fund (MGF)
By applying for this MGF, you can obtain funding to realize your project idea in the named value chains!
For all MGF projects, the maximal contribution channeled via ABF will account for up to 50% of the total project budget. This contribution can go up to 200.000 €.
The following video explains the most important things about our MGF:
Matching Grant Fund
Competitive “Matching Grant Fund” (MGF) mechanism
1. Readiness Programme & Call for Concept Notes (Pre-qualification)
Online-based introduction and support during the application stage starting with the call for concept notes on 18th September 2023. The call lasts for 9 weeks.
2. Final submission of Call for Concept Notes
The deadline for submission of your concept note is 10th November.
3. Assessment of Concept Notes
Once received, an independent and international expert committee will assess and evaluate all concept notes.
4. Full proposal development & in-depth Readiness Programme
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to develop a full technical proposal and budget. This will be closely supported by the ABF team.
5. Proposal evaluation and decision
The final proposals will be evaluated and a decision on who is granted the funds will be taken.
6. Contracting
Contracts will be prepared by GIZ using tried-and-tested partnership agreement formats.
7. Implementation
Now the implementation of your project can start. This entails reporting to ABF as well as supervision and support from ABF.
Who can apply?
As lead applicants:
- Processing company
- Agricultural producer/Farmer's organization
- National or international retailer companies
As consortium partners:
- Private sector foundations
- (Micro) Financial institutions
- Qualified NGOs
- Training or research institutions or extension agencies
When & how to apply?
Documents to fill and send back via abf-fund@giz.de between 18th September 2023 and 10th November 2023, 11:59 pm GMT:
- Template for concept note (Annex 1)
- Letter of Intent (Annex 2)
- Working aid: Contribution Excel sheet (Annex 4 - please use Annex 3 as a guideline on how to fill it)
Please find the application documents below in our download section.
If you have any questions, please read our FAQ below the download section or feel free to send us your unanswered questions.
Webinars
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Downloads
Application: documents to fill for application
Informational purposes: Readiness programme documents
FAQ
The overall objective of the Matching Grant Fund is to leverage contributions from partners for the implementation of specific interventions towards the development of the cocoa, maize, and livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) value chains and build ownership to drive sustainable growth in the respective sectors, strengthen private sector development, and improve the productivity and profitability of stakeholders in all 79 OACPS member states for cocoa, maize, cattle, sheep, and goats VCs.
Yes, that is possible. The contribution can be in cash, kind, innovation, or equipment.
Yes. Ghana, Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire are eligible for the fund, but not for the cocoa value chain. The cocoa value chain is already covered by the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative in Ghana, Cameroon and Côte d'Ivoire. Projects concerning the maize and livestock value chains may be proposed.
Entities from these countries can however also support farmers in the cocoa value chain in other countries.
Yes, the concept note can be developed in Spanish or Portuguese. The Expert Committee will work in English and French, there are two options for Spanish and Portuguese speakers:
- Have your concept note professionally translated and note it in your budget. This will be reimbursed by GIZ if your concept note/project is selected
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Or develop the application in Spanish and Portuguese and then use internet translators for a translation to English (with specification that you did so)
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Or sent the application in Spanish and Portuguese. We will then translate it to English using internet translators
Cashew already had their call in June, but they will have a second call and you will be informed on it.
Yes, it is the maximum, but the project can be bigger by having a bigger contribution from the private sector. The amount received is up to 50% of the total project budget.
All segments of the cattle, sheep and goat value chains are considered. Milk is also included here.
You can find the presentations in the download section right above this FAQ section.
This is not possible, but we have many detailed guidelines which you can download from this website. Otherwise, you can always ask a question via mail. However, this question will be posted on our website here in this FAQ section in an anonymized way. Pre-selected concept notes can receive face-to-face support on demand for the development of full proposals.
Yes, it will be to abf-fund@giz.de - responses will be posted anonymously to FAQ.
No, there is no defined minimum, but projects are evaluated on their ability to produce a significant impact.
Up to 24 months.
Yes.
For offline use in the field, you can also integrate the “atingi-box” into your concept note.
Yes, if the organization is involved in more than one of the targeted value chains.
A combination of value chains is possible and very welcome.
Farmers organization in the target value chains can take the lead for application and be supported by a company in a consortium. The company as consortium partner should contribute in cash and/or kind.
There is no restriction, however applicants should be able to provide at least records of 2 years tax payments or if it’s a startup with tax exemption. The latter must be proven.
As a start-up or a very small institution, you can show us a sound financial system, but before that you need to inform us. You can also form a consortium with a bigger company.
¿Cuándo y cómo presentar la solicitud?
Documentos a rellenar y enviar a través de abf-fund@giz.de entre el 18 de septiembre de 2023 y el 10 de noviembre de 2023, a las 23:59 GMT:
- Modelo de nota conceptual (Anexo 1)
- Carta de intenciones (Por favor, entréguela en inglés: Anexo 2)
- Ayuda de trabajo: Hoja Excel de contribución (Anexo 4 sólo en inglés - por favor, utilice el Anexo 3 como directrices sobre cómo rellenarlo)
Lea la directiva para conocer los criterios de admisibilidad y obtener más información.