Request for Application for the PROSPECTS-IV MDF Cohort Two

PROSPECTS IV is a 45-month, Sida-funded programme that applies an MSD approach to facilitate systemic change. PROSPECTS-IV utilizes a Market Systems Development for Employment (MSD4E) approach to increase incomes, job quality, and job security for urban female and male youth.

PROSPECTS-IV seeks to support young and driven entrepreneurs (or youth employing start-ups) with innovative and feasible ideas through its Technical Assistance Market Development Facility Fund. The programme aims to provide a facility for high-potential youth employing start-ups with innovation in sectors that present high potential for young people or are aligned with the macroeconomic and investment trends and their supporting functions; to accelerate the growth cycle of successful businesses. This model is aimed at “compressing years’ worth of learning-by

doing” into just a few months and eliminating the normal hassle of accessing business financing.

To be considered for the facility, you must meet the below requirements:

• Be a Liberian-owned and registered business.
• Have been operating for at least one year before the date of this RFP
• Be able to provide official Tax Clearance Certificates
• Be able to provide a financial statement stating clearly the current financial standings of the business with no active/pending litigations.
• Be able to complete project activities within nine (9) months from the proposed start date. • Provide three (3) client reference letters which can be submitted during the due diligence project in case an applicant is shortlisted.

In addition to the criteria, eligible businesses must be operating in at least one of the following sectors and supporting functions or intervention areas identified in this RFP below: • Waste Management – innovative solutions to sustainable domestic and community-based waste management. Solutions should focus on viable household, corporate, or commercial waste management models including wastewater treatment and recycling. • Climate-Smart Businesses – Climate adaptation solutions to agriculture, manufacturing, cosmetics, fashion, and other business enterprises that will improve production and increase the resilience of especially youth employment opportunities. This includes production of new breeds of resilient crops/seeds; utilization of water and/or energy efficient machinery and equipment for main production; bio inputs; water and energy efficient irrigation systems; climate friendly and energy efficient food processing; fashion recycling and upcycling; cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable electricity.

• Packaging for SMEs – Business models focus on providing a consistent, affordable, reliable, and efficient packaging solution for local products to enhance branding.

Applications must be submitted in accordance with the following:

1. Mercy Corps will not pay for any application preparation costs.
2. Applications must be submitted in English.
3. All proposals submitted in response to this RFA are due no later than 4:30 PM, Friday, May 23, 2024. Late proposals will not be accepted or considered.
4. Attachments will be accepted in the following format: Portable document format (PDF), and application must be submitted online ONLY using the link Market Development Facility Application Form Cohort-2

The following documents must be submitted as attachments with all applications: • Declaration Letter (DECLARATION LETTER_format_PROSPECTS-IV.docx – Google Docs) • Milestone Budget Template (Annex 1_Milestone Budget Template_MDFTA.xlsx – Google Drive)

• All legal documents

In completing the attached budget template, please be mindful of the following: Allowable Costs

Costs directly associated with the proposed innovation implementation and incurred and paid between the innovation’s start and end dates, including but not limited to: • Administration and support costs directly attributable to the proposed innovation. • Construction directly related to the proposed innovation.

• Equipment directly related to the innovation implementation.

Non-allowable Costs

• Debt repayment (debt obtained before grant disbursement).
• Administration and support costs that are not directly related to the proposed innovation implementation.
• Design/proposal development costs.

MDF Application Process

Request for Proposal and Selection Process Flowchart

Step-1

• Launch

Call for

Proposal

• May 2

Step-2

• Marketing

Event:

Proposal

Development & Support

• May 13

Step-3

• Proposal

Committee

Review and Shortlisting

• May 24

Step-4

• Due

Diligence

(Technical & Financial)

• May 29

Step-5

• Incubation & Pitch

Competition •June 10

Step-6

• Final

Selection

and

Awards

• July 15
  

Marketing Event: Proposal Development Support Schedule

Monrovia, Montserrado

Ganta, Nimba Gbarnga, Bong Buchanan, Grand Bassa

Date: May 13, 2024 Venue: Sinkor

Date: May 14, 2024 Venue: Ganta

Date: May 15, 2024 Venue: Gbarnga

Date: May 17, 2024 Venue: Buchanan

NOTE: Attend requests will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of a reservation to https://forms.office.com/r/R9kXeQSLn2 or via WhatsApp +231778012519 latest before the workshop date.

Apply Here: https://enketo.ona.io/x/nMd5bAhH or Market Development Facility Application Form Cohort-2

The deadline for the submission of applications is 4:30 PM, Friday, May 23, 2024.

You can click the apply button below to download the pdf version of this advert.