Tag Archives: sustainability

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MASTERCARD SME FUNDS FOR RESILIENCE AND PROSPERITY

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Application Deadline: November 22nd, 2024.

LOCATION: Multiple Regions

The Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity is a seven-year, US$ 126 million Fund that aims to support Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across the agriculture, climate adaptation and digital economy sectors in 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The main objective of the Fund is to unlock enterprise growth and catalyze, scale-up and sustain the creation of dignified and fulfilling work opportunities for young women and men, young people with disabilities and refugee youth.

ELIGIBILITY:

Be involved in the sector of focus i.e., agriculture.

Be an existing for-profit Small or Medium-sized Enterprise.

Be implementing business in at least one of the 20 focus countries in Africa.

Be requesting for grant funding ranging from US$ 500,000 to US$ 2,500,000, disbursed over a 3-year period, based on applicants’ development stage, scalability, and business model. Additional tailored technical assistance will be provided to successful applicants. 

Be providing matching contribution of at least 30% of the total project cost.

Have innovative, practical, and scalable businesses that aim to create work opportunities for young women and men, young people with disabilities or refugee youth.

Adhere to fundamental human rights, labour standards, and environmental management laws, both nationally and internationally, including seed laws/policy.

Refrain from any involvement in acts of terrorism or support for terrorist activities.

The countries are Benin, Burundi, Botswana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

BENEFIT:

Support from FRP will include grants ranging from US$ 500,000 to US$ 2,500,000, disbursed over a 3-year period, based on the applicant’s development stage, scalability, and business model, in accordance with agreed periodic milestone targets.

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VITAL VOICES GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP – SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR PILLA

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Application Deadline: 15 April, 2024

LOCATION: USA

Vital Voices Global Fellowship – Social Entrepreneurship empowers visionary women changemakers leading for-profit, purpose-driven enterprises that are addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Social Entrepreneurship pillar is tailored for women entrepreneurs who understand their business valuation, have identified their business growth strategy, are interested in expanding their social impact, and are eager toscale their business through investment.

ELIGIBILITY:

To qualify for the program, applicants are required to meet the following criteria:

Hold a key decision-making role in a legally registered, for-profit, purpose-driven business addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with measurable social impact.

Exhibit a track record of generating a minimum annual revenue of USD 100,000.

Possess a proven business model with growth potential, evidenced by a minimum of three full-time paid employees (or equivalent) and an operational history of at least two years.

Clearly articulate an identified growth strategy to be initiated within 12 to 15 months after the program.

The application process will include two stages. Upon successful completion of the initial application, shortlisted candidates will be invited on a rolling basis to participate in a second stage to provide key information and documents related to financial model, team structure,
business model, and business plan.

BENEFIT:

Through the program, fellows will:  

Examine their business plans and refine their goals for growth   

Examine and better understand their capital needs   

Develop a strategic plan to grow their business through investment  

Acquire the knowledge to access relevant investment opportunities   

Learn to craft compelling narratives for investment opportunities  

Develop pitch decks that resonate with the ethos of the SDGs and investor expectations   

In addition, fellows will be supported by a robust, global supportive network. Upon completing the fellowship, fellows will have solidified their growth strategies and be prepared to pursue investment opportunities.

Cost: All costs associated with the program are fully covered by Vital Voices Global including travel, lodging, and meals for the in-person convening.

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