Responses to clarifying questions – Ethiopia Specific

We want all applicants to have access to the same level and detail of information. Therefore we are listing the questions that participants asked during our webinar below. Go back to the Call for Solutions page for more information.

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ETHIOPIA SPECIFC

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Is it possible to apply as a sole applicant without consortium?

Yes, applying through a consortium is not mandatory but recommended.

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About the CFYE max. 50% co-funding. Does CFYE decide whether technical assistance is needed or does the applicant decide.

Technical Assistance needs are determined between the applicant and experts from the technical assistance team within the Fund. During your Business Case application, you can determine which area of assistance you need, and our team will work with you during the project Inception Phase to further finalise your technical assistance plan.

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Could you describe historically what percentage of the CFYE contribution was Technical Assistance?

The 10% to 50% contribution of the Challenge Fund is the total contribution, including Technical Assistance (TA) provided by the Fund. The remainder of the budget must be covered by the applicant, either through existing or external funding, and includes both cash and in-kind support. Please note that the Technical Assistance budget is only allocated and approved during the Inception Phase, after the grand is awarded. This is provided free of cost and as a complement to the grant funding. If you only request to cover the cost of TA within the project, then the grant can be for TA only.

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On the website the minimum fund available is stated as 100,000 Euro but on the presentation, it says a minimum of 200,000 Euro?

100,000 Euros is the Ethiopia-specific eligibility criteria. The 200,000 Euros is the generic standard of the Fund’s approach, but we always take the local context in mind when we are designing the Call for Solutions in a specific country

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Do company assets count towards company contribution?

Capital Investment can be funded by CFYE as part of your project budget. However, only up to 33% (1/3rd) of the funds requested from CFYE can go to capital investment, and you must prove their additionality (at business case stage only). Further information on financial guidance for capital investment and in-kind contributions is available on the Guidance Pack for the Concept Note

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Are there any restrictions in terms of where jobs are created? Urban versus Rural areas.

Yes, we specific sectors and regions that are preferred based on the need to improve social impact. Please review the Scoping Report available on our website for more information.

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Are there any restrictions around what types of activities the CYFE can fund?

Please check the eligibility criteria set out for Ethiopia on our website. For the exclusion criteria, CFYE follows the FMO guidelines.

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Does ‘consortium’ include sub-contracted service providers? Or is that separate?

Consortium members are generally partners in the delivery of the project so not subcontracted service providers who might change during the life of the project.

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Can an entity submit more than one concept for consideration?

Yes, but not encouraged unless submitted concepts are very distinct from each other. Each concept needs to have a different project idea, design, targets, and implementation method addressing different challenges. Applying for the Fund is a very competitive process so only highly scored projects that address CFYE’s priorities will be considered.

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Can the funding from CYFE support operations, capex, training, etc. so long as the outcomes are met?

Yes. we do support capital investment. However, capital investment is capped at a maximum of 1/3 of the CFYE UM contribution. Further details are available on our Concept Note Guidance.

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Do you have any priority sectors for job creation or are you sector agnostic?

We are sector agnostic. However, we have identified in the in the scoping report certain sectors in Ethiopia that are likely to be significant job creators and we anticipate that we will receive, a greater group of proposals from those sectors. More information on sectors is available on our scoping report which can be downloaded here.

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Is there a maximum amount for the grant?

No, CFYE has not placed any ceiling on the grants but you should submit a budget that is realistic and relevant to the project that you are requesting funding for. When assessing your application, we will be looking at different metrics including the feasibility and sustainability of your project, value for money, cost per job and how it aligns with the number of jobs created, matched or improved.

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Is Dutch government funding eligible as a co-funding source?

A Dutch Government funding is not eligible as Co-funding. More information on eligible co-funding sources is detailed in the guidance of the concept note.

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Is there a fixed number of projects planned to be funded?

Yes, five to six projects in Ethiopia

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Who of the consortium can be the lead applicant? The application form implies that the employer should be applying, not the party facilitating.

The lead applicant doesn’t have to be the one creating, matching, or improving jobs, but we do recommend that the lead applicant is the one taking an active role in doing so bringing the consortium together and managing the project throughout its implementation years.

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Is it possible to work with a local bank as a funding partner?

Yes

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Do we have to include women at the project development or as an owner of the project?

The project must engage and address challenges specific to youth and women. This should be included throughout the different stages of the project including the design and the outcome levels (at business case stage only).

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Can we collaborate with NGO initiatives from the Netherlands?

Yes, collaboration with NGOs from any country is acceptable.

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