Question 1

Would a social enterprise qualify as a private company? Or what kind of criteria is being used to assess if a lead party is a private company?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

We are assessing this right now, as we are aware that recent changes to the NGO law might have an impact on what counts as a private company. We will post a full response to this question on the public Q&A forum in the coming days.

Question 2

The minimum Fund contribution is specified as EUR 200,000. Is this for one year or for the project duration? (Is it cash contribution only?).

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

This is for the duration of the project. Please see the General FAQs on our website for more information on the Fund’s contribution, as well as the applicant’s. The Fund’s contribution will be co-investment (i.e., cash/monetary), technical assistance, or a combination of both, depending on the project and its needs. You will find more details about this in the FAQs in the above link.

Question 3

Can international non-Dutch companies act as lead applicant?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

A foreign company or consortium can submit a project, if the project will take place in Egypt, and if they or one of the partners in the consortium is already operating in Egypt.

Question 4

Can Egyptian private companies act as lead applicant?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Absolutely – this is the preferred option.

Question 5

How long can training programmes last that are included in the project?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Projects are expected to last 2-3 years; the exact duration will vary from project to project. There is no specification on how long training can or should last. Training can be incorporated as a one-off activity into your project or can be an integral part of it. This depends on what your project aims to do, and how the training fits into the project’s overall theory of change and wider goals. It is expected that the implementing partner designs the concept for the project themselves, so it is up to you to decide on the appropriate delivery model.

Question 6

Is it correct that in kind contributions can be considered as cash contributions if it is a critical asset to the delivery of the project?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Both in kind and in cash contributions are accepted, as both are considered investments on the part of the Implementing Partner. But you should bear in mind that this is a competitive funding process, and a project with a heavy emphasis on in-kind contributions might not look as strong as a project with a heavier emphasis on in-cash contributions.

Question 7

Is the project timeline (preparation, implementation,..etc) 6 years in total?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

No - CFYE as a Fund will run for 6 years in total. We expect individual projects in each country to run for around 2-3 years, depending on the project.

Question 8

Can we work in partnership with ministries, counsels or does it require certain approval?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

The lead organisation on any consortium must be a private firm, but it is possible to work with ministries as part of a consortium.

Question 9

Can the start-up implement in different governorates through partners NGOs?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

The lead organisation in a consortium must be a private firm, but NGOs may be part of the delivery consortium.

Question 10

Is there a maximum amount of funds? As this will affect the skilling up of the pilot phase.

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

We have not set a maximum contribution to or by the Fund. The minimum the Fund will contribute is 200,000 Euros, which should be around 10-50% of the total contribution. The Implementing Partner will have to cover the rest of the funds.

Question 11

What does the lead role exactly mean, and can a private sector be in the lead for coordination while the actual project will be taken on by e.g. an NGO?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

The private sector partner will really need to lead the implementation of the project, but may team up with an NGO for certain developmental aspects, e.g. gender inclusion or youth engagement.

Question 12

How many parties will be supported, or what maximum funding is available for this specific call?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

The aim is 6-8 projects. Funding: No maximum. It all depends on the quality and the size of projects being presented.

Question 13

Can we work with partners from the EU to form the consortium?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely.

Question 14

As you've presented, the project is based on Four main Pillars (Create-Match-Improve-Sustain) is there any weight score for each? does the applicant has to apply in all pillars?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

There is no explicit scoring system. Applicants will need to address a combination of create and/or match with the other two pillars. So three combinations are possible: 1) create, improve and sustain 2) match, improve and sustain 3) create, match, improve and sustain. In other words, for both create and match categories applicants will need to ensure that jobs are of good quality and sustainable.

Question 15

What would/wouldn't you consider as leverage/co-financing?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Both a cash investment as well as an in-kind investment in the project can be considered as co-funding. In-kind contributions are eligible only if directly related to the project activity.

Question 16

What is the expected duration for the project?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

<span data-sheets-value="{"1":2,"2":"2-3 years "}" data-sheets-userformat="{"2":897,"3":{"1":0},"10":1,"11":4,"12":0}">2-3 years </span>

Question 17

Elaboration on the type of consortium, would that mean different partners addressing different pillars of the project objectives etc?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

That is one possible approach, but we're open to hearing other ways that a consortium can work together to deliver the project outcomes and impact

Question 18

Only Egyptian private sector companies can apply or also dutch companies can?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Any company can apply from anywhere as long as they are a private company. Presence or a previous track record in Egypt of the applicant or partner organizations will strengthen the business case.

Question 19

How will the applying company demonstrate its ability to co-invest?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

By stating it in the business case and confirming all information they are presenting is true. A due diligence will take place before signing a contract.

Question 20

Are you interested in investing in startups or ecosystem players like accelerator/incubator plays or either?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Yes, as long as a strong can be made to suggest that the minimum number of jobs (for women) and other parameters are met.

Question 21

Will there be an opportunity to connect with interested parties to build a consortium (e.g. through a forum) in case companies/orgs still look for partners?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Yes.

Question 22

Concept notes can be submitted form free or your will provide special format?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Please use the digital application form provided - we will post it on our website in the coming days. Any concept notes submitted in any other way will not be accepted.

Question 23

What type of ‘technical assistance’ is available? Is it part of the grant contribution or is it an in-kind contribution on top of the grant?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Additional technical assistance (TA) that is offered depends on the need and type of project. Any capacity building that is essential to the project should be included in the project design and thus be part of the overall project budget. Additional TA refers to aspects that are not an integral part of the project design per se, but may enhance the outcomes. The range of additional TA that can be offered is wide, including gender, financial management, decent work, monitoring & evaluation, etc.

Question 24

How will you measure sustain?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Sustain refers to jobs saved in the context of the COVID-19 crisis.The young workforce, especially in industries that are based on face-to-face interactions, is vulnerable to losing their job as a result of the crisis. Therefore for demand-side interventions designed to prevent staff reductions or job losses, we will count the number of individuals working in the target companies at the beginning and of the project. This data must be supported with a strong case for what would have happened without CFYE support (the counterfactual). This approach may vary from project to project, to be designed according to the relevance for the intervention.

Question 25

Can an NGO join more than one consortium?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Question 26

Can a single company submit more than one project? And will the breakdown of the counter fund be required to be detailed?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Yes, this is possible, but not recommended.

Question 27

Are private sector CSR institutes still considered private sector? Is NGO a private Sector Entity? For my case Alexandria Business Association is a private but not for profit organization are we eligible?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

An NGO is not considered to be private sector. The CSR division of a private sector company would need to be verified on a case-by-case basis. Likewise for ABA.

Question 28

So on 31st August, We don't need to submit the business case?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Correct, just the concept note.

Question 29

What will cost per job threshold?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

There is no threshold, but there is a ballpark figure. Ballpark figure is 500 Euros per job.

Question 30

Is there an impact criteria?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Yes, the jobs that will be created, matched, improved and/or sustained.

Question 31

Would you mind explaining how the co-funding would be either in cash or in-kind?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

In-cash support would be a financial investment. In-kind support should be valued at market rates, and staff time budgeted as in-kind support must be reasonably justified as related to the project.

Question 32

Is there a difference between co-invest and co-fund? For example, private sector who are willing to fund the program as part of their corporate responsibility rather than for profit purposes?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

We don't see a difference between these two terms

Question 33

Minimum age is 15. In Egypt that is child labor which is illegal. Can this be revised?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Minimum age for Egypt is not 15 - it is set to 18. One of the questions in the eligibility criteria stipulates this - 2. Do you wish to submit a request for a grant for a project to create decent employment for youth aged 18 to 35? The minimum age of 15 is at Fund level (across the entire portfolio), but is adjusted to meet the local legal standards and requirements in each new country.

Question 34

Which costs would be considered eligible and which not? And what is the level of detail needed in the concept note budget?

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Concept note stage is not that detailed – fairly simple at this stage. Any costs related to the grant you are applying for are eligible.

Question 35

We are expressing our interest for applying for the call and we would like to confirm that the current donor funded program activities and budget is considered  as an applicant contribution and considered as co-financing to move forward with the concept note required.

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

Your expression of interest is well received. The current donor-funded activities and budget can be considered as co-funding, as long as the grant does not come from the Dutch Government, except for venture capital or debt finance originating from the Dutch Good Governance Fund or FMO. We will review the level of additionality for each project critically.

Question 36

I wanted to inquire about the concept note for the application process of the fund. The deadline is supposed to be on the 31st of August. However, I could not find the guidelines or any related material or the submission procedure etc.

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

We will launch the online form for concept note submission on our website in the coming few days. Please keep an eye out on https://fundforyouthemployment.nl/

Question 37

Since we’re working in the entrepreneurial business which includes a lot of risks/ambiguity by definition, do we have to commit to the 250 jobs with Jobs to be at least 24 hrs and at most 48 hrs. Gross income/wage for 1 FTE should be at least EGP 2,370 a month? The reason we’re asking is that we help entrepreneurs to develop startups and create jobs but we don’t commit them to a specific number of jobs created as it's case dependent.

Whitney van Schyndel · Accepted Answer

As you noted correctly, we have set a minimum threshold of 250 jobs for Egypt. What’s more, those 250 jobs should be for women, which may also be difficult to guarantee in your case. If jobs for men are created that is fine, but the minimum is still 250 jobs for women. The jobs for men will be a bonus. We decided on this criterion because we found out that women still have a long way to go to achieve equal work opportunities in Egypt. The purpose of the Challenge Fund is not to boost “business as usual”, we hope to make a difference. While it may be difficult for you to commit to a certain number of jobs for women, you should have experience with past initiatives which created a certain number of jobs that you can refer to or you may want to focus on start-ups that specifically target women, as owners, managers, staff or clients. In any case, we would need to see some evidence from previous experience that suggests that your approach is likely to create the required number of jobs.

Question 38

Will the project lifetime / cycle (preparation, implementation, etc.) last 6 years in total?

Liana Khanaghyan · Accepted Answer