Status: Published

Classification: Window 3

Category: Infrastructure Development

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NOTICE NO. SIEF-W3/2025
SKILLS, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FUND
CALL FOR PROPOSAL FOR STARTUP GRANT

1. Project Background:

   The Gambia, with its vibrant youth population and commitment to development, is poised for a promising future, yet faces several challenges. In the realm of basic education, the focus is on improving learning outcomes, particularly in the early grades, to ensure every child acquires the necessary foundational skills. The Government of The Gambia recognized and prioritized the challenge of having a higher quality and relevance in youth, technical, and vocational education and training (TVET) to meet labour market demands. For the large population living in poverty, the goal is to provide a second chance through access to social protection measures, skills training, and income-generating opportunities. These challenges, while significant, are being addressed with determination and a vision for a resilient, inclusive, skilled, and equitable Gambia.

   To address these challenges, The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (The Gambia RISE Project – P197233) is a multi-sectoral, five-year initiative of The Government of The Gambia, funded by the World Bank. The project aims to increase the foundational skills of students in early grades (Component 1), provide job-relevant training to youth (Component 2), and boost income-generating opportunities, including for the poor and vulnerable (Component 3), in The Gambia. The Gambia’s National Development Plan (2023-2027) prioritizes Human Capital Development (Pillar IV) and Empowerment, Social Inclusion, and Leaving No One Behind (Pillar VI). The RISE project is aligned with the Government’s Education Sector Strategic Plan 2016-2030 and The Gambia National Social Protection Policy 2015-2025.

   The project is being implemented by multiple Implementing Entities (IEs): the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), and the National Nutrition Agency/National Social Protection Secretariat (NaNA/NSPS). Each of these IEs leads technical activities within its respective domain. The RISE Project is coordinated and managed by a Central Project Coordination Unit (CPCU) within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

   The Gambia's aspirations for a diversified and sustainable economy hinge on a skilled and adaptable workforce. However, current Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems face challenges in equipping youth with the relevant skills and fostering a culture of innovation. The Skill Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund (SIE Fund), established by MoHERST as a key component of the World Bank-funded RISE project, emerges as a critical intervention, designed to bridge this gap and empower a generation of skilled and entrepreneurial young Gambians.
   The SIE Fund has three-pronged interventions referred to as windows:

   • Window 1; Enhancing TVET Capacity: Strengthening institutions through improved programmes, qualified trainers, and modern facilities as well as creating Hubs for innovation and excellence in training.
   • Window 2; Promoting Relevant Skills Development: Equipping youth and graduates with relevant skills and fostering a culture of innovation and attention to market needs within TVET institutions.
   • Window 3; Supporting Youth Entrepreneurship: Enabling young people to translate their skills into successful businesses through startup support and mentorship.

   The SIE Fund Secretariat, situated in MoHERST, is responsible for the management, coordination, and administrative processes of the Fund.

2. Startup Support Window

   Recognizing the critical role of innovative startups in driving economic growth and job creation, this window provides targeted support to young entrepreneurs with high-potential business ideas. This Support Window serves as a launchpad for youth entrepreneurship in The Gambia. 

   2.1 Description

   The Startup Support Window aims to achieve the following objectives:

   • Empower Young Entrepreneurs: Facilitate the development of innovative business concepts by providing financial and technical assistance to young Gambians with entrepreneurial aspirations. 
   • Promote Business Growth: Equip startups with the resources and mentorship needed to navigate the initial stages of business growth and achieve commercial viability.
   • Foster Innovation and Job Creation: Encourage the development of startups that address critical national needs, promote technological advancements, and create employment opportunities.
   2.2 Scope of support
   • Technology-driven startups offer innovative solutions in sectors such as Agriculture, Engineering, Tourism, Business, and Performing Arts.
   • Social enterprises tackling critical social and environmental challenges with sustainable business models.
   • Creative industries startups developing innovative products or services in areas identified in the Recovery Focused National Development Plan (2023 – 2027).

   Note: A detailed exploration of eligible business models and specific industry focus areas will be provided in a later call for proposals. 

   2.3 Target Beneficiaries

   The Startup Support Window primarily targets youth and adult Entrepreneurs with registered businesses between the ages of 18-35 who possess innovative business ideas with high growth potential. In addition, priory will be window 2 beneficiaries of the SIE fund. 

3. Eligibility Criteria

   To qualify for Startup Support Window funding, aspiring entrepreneurs must meet the following criteria:

   Eligibility Criteria for Startup Support Window
   To qualify for the Startup Support Window funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:

   1. Gambian Nationality: Applicants must be Gambian citizens who are residents of The Gambia. Evidence of nationality and residency will be required (e.g., national ID, proof of residence).
   2. Age Requirement: Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of application. Proof of age (e.g., birth certificate, national ID) must be submitted.
   3. Business Registration: The business must be formally registered with the Registrar of Companies at the Ministry of Justice in The Gambia. A copy of the official business registration certificate must be provided.
   4. Innovation and Growth Potential: The proposed business idea must demonstrate innovation and strong growth potential. It should address a specific gap in the market or offer a novel solution to a pressing challenge. The business idea must be aligned with the national priorities for economic development and job creation.
      • Technology-driven Startups: With technological and innovative driven impact.
      • Social Enterprises: Startups that address critical social and environmental challenges through sustainable business models.
      • Creative Industries: Innovative products or services in areas identified within the Recovery Focused National Development Plan (2023-2027).
   5. Feasible Business Plan: Applicants must submit a comprehensive business plan that clearly outlines:
      • Market research demonstrating the demand for the product or service.
      • Financial projections covering at least the first 3 years of business operations, including anticipated revenues, costs, and profits.
      • A clear business strategy detailing the steps for product development, market penetration, and scaling.
   6. Alignment with National Development Priorities

      The business idea should be aligned with the National Development Plan (2023-2027), particularly with the focus on:

      • Youth Empowerment and Employment
      • Technological Innovation
      • Sustainable Economic Growth
   7. Demonstrable Commitment and Capability

      Applicants must demonstrate:

      • Commitment to their business venture and an understanding of the market and industry.
      • Entrepreneurial experience or relevant skills that support the likelihood of success.
      • A capacity for growth and scale, which can be measured through the applicant's skills, resources, and readiness for mentorship.
   8. Priority to Window 2 Beneficiaries
      Priority will be given to applicants who are beneficiaries of Window 2 (Promoting Relevant Skills Development) of the SIE Fund. These applicants should have previously participated in skills training, internships, or other relevant programs under Window 2.
   9. Operational Readiness
      Applicants must show that their business is either operational or has clear plans for launching within 6 months of receiving support. This may include evidence of product prototypes, customer acquisition, or other proof of business readiness.
   10. Social Impact and Job Creation
       The startup should be designed to create jobslocal economy. Businesses with a clear social impact or those that can contribute to poverty alleviation, social inclusion, or environmental sustainability will be given additional consideration.

   Selection Criteria
   In addition to meeting the eligibility criteria, the following factors will be considered during the evaluation and selection process:

   1. Innovation and Uniqueness

      Degree of novelty and differentiation from existing products or services in the market.

   2. Scalability and Sustainability
      Potential for business growth and long-term sustainability, including economic, environmental, and social factors.
   3. Impact on Job Creation

      The ability of the business to generate direct and indirect employment for youth and vulnerable groups.

   4. Viability of Financial Projections

      Realistic and achievable financial goals, supported by sound market research and strategy.

   5. Readiness to Scale

      Clear evidence that the business is positioned for scaling and will benefit from the funding and mentorship offered by the SIEF.

   These criteria are designed to select only the most promising and innovative startups, ensuring that the fund supports businesses with the greatest potential to drive economic growth, job creation, and social development in The Gambia. Prior to the final evaluation site verification will be conducted to ascertain claims made by the applicants.

4. Modality of Support

   The Window offers a multifaceted approach to supporting young entrepreneurs, combining financial and technical assistance. A total of 75 startups will be provided with financial and material support with a range of $ 1500 - $2350 for each startup, in addition to mentorship and coaching support. The support for startup grants shall follow the GPPA procurement rules for buying goods and services as below:
   
   Financial Support: Competitive grants will be awarded to support critical business needs such as product development, marketing and sales initiatives, and equipment acquisition. The specific amount awarded will be determined based on factors such as the nature of the business, the proposed budget, and the potential for growth. A percentage of the grant (5-10%) will be dedicated for use in purchasing consumables and operational costs. This will be provided in-kind only, with goods and services procured in line with GPPA regulations by SIE Fund Secretariat with support from CPCU.

   4.1 Technical Assistance:

   The window will connect awardees with a network of mentors, coaches, business advisors, and industry experts who will provide guidance, support strategic decision-making, and help navigate operational challenges. Specifically, the mentorship will be provided for a period until the business matures. Coaching will be provided for a period to be determined by the Secretariat based on the scope of the business. The coaching will ensure that only committed participants advance to strengthen their business plan before support is provided. At the end of the coaching period, a graduation ceremony shall be organised for the committed participants to build motivation and self-esteem.

   4.2 Incubation Services:

   Selected startups may be offered access to incubation facilities, providing co-working space, essential infrastructure, and networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs and potential investors.

   4.3 Guarantor:

    All start-up beneficiaries will be obliged to provide a guarantor who must be a Gambian and resident in the Gambia for the contract signing, and disbursement will be done based on milestones achieved as stipulated in the contract.

5. Application Process

   The application process for Startup Support Window funding will be a multi-stage process, differing from the process for the other windows, following the following steps:

   • Application: Aspiring entrepreneurs will apply, detailing their business concept, team composition, and financial projections through the SIE Fund Secretariat. All applications should indicate list of equipment and their estimated cost which shall be included in the budget.
   • Evaluation and Selection: Proposals will undergo a rigorous evaluation process, combining assessments of the application form, pitching presentations, and their potential for impact and growth.
   • Pitching Event: Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in an open pitching event, where they will present their business ideas to a panel of judges.
   • Notification and Award: All applicants will be notified of the funding decision. Successful applicants will receive grant agreements outlining the terms and conditions of the award, including disbursement schedules and reporting requirements.

6. Support Provided:

   The SIE Fund acknowledges the challenges faced by aspiring entrepreneurs. To assist young Gambians in navigating the application process, the Fund will offer a range of support mechanisms, including:

   • Online Engagement Workshops: The Fund Secretariat will organise workshops equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with essential skills in business plan development, financial management, and pitching techniques.
   • Mentorship Matching Programme: Successful applicants will be provided with mentorship support connecting young entrepreneurs with experienced mentors who can provide personalised guidance and support.
   • Online Resources: The SIE Fund Secretariat will host a dedicated online section with downloadable resources, application guides, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) to assist applicants.

7. Evaluation Procedure

   The evaluation of the proposals' merit is carried out to assess their relevance and quality, providing input for decision-making. This evaluation procedure provides an opportunity for the improvement of the ideas presented, giving greater credibility to the process and making the selection and approval process a tool for continuous improvement.

   7.1 Evaluation Criteria

   The evaluation will consider the following:

   1. Strategic Alignment
      Assessed by evaluating the degree of alignment with the strategic priorities and sectors considered to be priorities in the Call for Proposal.
   2. Quality of the Service or Product offered
      Determined through analysis of the business plan submitted based on the overall consistency, technical viability, and innovativeness of the proposed services or products. It will also evaluate the project quality in terms of the presence or absence of the following items: executive summary, company description, market analysis, products and/or services, marketing strategy, organizational and management analysis, operational plan, financial analysis, growth strategy, and risk analysis.
   3. Financial sustainability
      The determination is based on an analysis of the project's budget structure, including its fixed costs, variable costs, and potential returns. The budget must factor all the costs of materials, equipment, consumables, hiring, other support services, transportation, renting space, water, electricity, and internet costs, and all other expenses that may in some way impact the project's implementation to be considered financially viable.
   4. Employability Potential
      Determined through the justification presented and the alignment of the project with the demands of the labour market, with a niche market, or with the potential demands of the accelerator sectors of the economy, in addition to the forecast of guaranteed jobs/professional internships created with the project.
   7.2 Soering and Ranking

   Each evaluation criterion will be assigned a specific weight, and evaluators will award scores based on different criteria identified in 7.1. Each score for the criteria used for the windows will be used to calculate the Merit of the Proposal (MP). Proposals will then be ranked based on their MP scores. Specifically, the scoring will follow the steps below:

   1. Minimum Merit of Proposal: After calculations, only Proposals for which the MP is greater than 7 are apt for funding.
   2. No Zero Mark in Any Criteria: Only proposals that did not receive a mark of 0 (zero) on any of the defined criteria are apt for funding.
   3. Criteria relevance: In case of a tie related to an MP score, the proposal with greater marks on criteria D, C, B, and A, respectively, will prevail.

8. Independent external observer/ reviewer

   To enhance transparency and strengthen governance in the evaluation and granting process for Window 3, the role of an independent external observer will be explicitly included, as outlined in the SIE Fund Manual. An independent external observer will be appointed. This individual, who has previously served on the technical advisory committee in a non-voting capacity, will observe all evaluation processes. The observer will provide an independent evaluation report. 
   
   Application Structure
   
   All proposals should follow the format provided (XXXXXXX) and be submitted in PDF format, with a schedule of activities and a detailed implementation budget.
   
   Further Information
   
   Proposals that do not comply with any of the terms of this competition will be disregarded. By applying to this call, the institutions commit themselves to the veracity of the information declared.
   
   Institutions competing in the call for proposals are subject to the control and auditing mechanisms in force at the SIE Fund.
   
   1.  The SIE Fund may ask institutions for adjustments or additional clarifications if necessary. Failure to comply with the request within 5 (five) working days will result in the proposal being eliminated, regardless of the stage of the evaluation.
   
   2.  A proposal may be revoked or cancelled at any time, in whole or in part, for reasons of public interest or legal requirement, without this implying any right to compensation or claim of any kind.
   
   Once the results have been published, no changes will be accepted to the proposal. 

9. Timeline and Communication:

   The window will follow the below step and the indicative timeline.
   • Publication for call for proposals (TBC)
   • Submission deadline (TBC)
   • Evaluation and pitching (TBC)
   • coaching and mentorship (TBC)

10. Grievance Mechanism 

    Beneficiaries and those affected by Fund projects have the right to complain openly, transparently, and without reprisals. To do so, you can use the following means of communication:
    By telephone on the lines: 00220 3160194 / 220 2277978
    Complaints book available in the SIE Fund Secretariat
    E-mail: siefmoherst@gmail.com  
    Letter: To be addressed to the SIE Fund Secretariat, MoHERST.