Nigeria – Responses to clarifying questions

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Applicant's Contribution

Co-investment does not have to be cash. There is an option for in-kind co-funding. In-kind support by the applicant should be valued at market rates, and staff time budgeted as in-kind support must be reasonably justified as related to the project.

Proof that match funding is available is not yet required at concept note stage. However, we would want to read from the application a realistic explanation on how you intend to assure the match funding.

Yes, but only to the (limited) extent these assets are recently purchased – or will be purchased – and dedicated to the proposed project instead of ongoing activities. If relevant, we will only take into account the depreciation value of the assets for the project lifetime. 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.

The minimum project size is 400.000 EURO with a minimum co-funding amount by CFYE of 200.000 EURO and a maximum share of 50%. That means that minimum co-funding by the applicant is 200.000 EURO.

Fund’s Contribution

It is offered in addition to the co-financing contribution. Only if the TA is a fundamental part of your project, then it should be budgeted in the overall project budget.

Most conditions will be merely operational of nature. However, there may be requirements regarding job quality or gender equity that have an impact on your business model. Alignment on the business model or original vision will be assured prior to funding.

Nigeria Specific

We will only consider projects that actually create, improve or match with jobs in line with the Windows’ technical definition of digital jobs or technical craftmanship (or both). Any other type of projects are not eligible.

Yes, we expect another call to open up mid 2021. Also we expect that regional thematic calls may open up, possibly including Nigeria.

Yes, please contact our info address if you have any concrete questions that aren’t answered in the original plus additional FAQ: nigeria@fundforyouthemployment.nl

Yes. If you required that type of assistance, please send an email to nneka@fundforyouthemployment.nl

Yes, and you can indicate this in the application form. The total number of jobs (be it digital or technical craftmanship) will be taken into account.

Everything we value and learned from the previous call for proposals is reflected in the concept note template and the eligiblity and selection criteria. A specific recommendation we want to make is that the pathway to employment needs to be very clear.

Projects should create, match, improve or sustain at least 500 jobs (of which at least 50% are women). These may be jobs generated directly by the project (direct jobs), or employment changes at, for example, suppliers or distributors of the project (indirect jobs). Indirect jobs may only be counted if the project can demonstrate a clear link to these employment outcomes. 200,000 youth benefitting from new and/or improved employment is the goal of the entire CFYE across all countries.

Yes, if this consortium can still deliver the required number of jobs and can demonstrate experience with comparable projects. This might be challenging for a small startup on their own and it might therefore not always be feasible to submit an eligible proposal.

The Creative Industry involves the music, film, fashion and arts sectors.

Semi employment refers to cases in which employees have a contract with their employer, but their income and hours worked are flexible and based on client demand. Examples include agent models or commission-based contracts.

We highly value sustainable jobs that offer a decent income and recommend referring to wageindicator.org for guidance on living wages. NGN 30k per month is the formal minimum salary for a single adult without family, whereas higher figures from NGN 75k are recommended for income earners with a household.

We consider the development stage the firm is in. Start-ups are still testing their business case, and usually need a few more years before creating a high number of jobs. The CFYE will only consider start-ups that haven a proven business model and growth potential.

Yes.

Digital skills encompass a wider set of skills including phone, table and computer operating systems and specific programs/applications. Computer literacy skills generally refer to standardized and more limited operating procedures on desktops, including Microsoft Office applications and using the internet.

Indirect jobs are any jobs that are created as an indirect result of the project intervention. If a project helps to create sustainable livelihoods for 500 micro-entrepreneurs, who in turn start hiring employees, then the latter are indirect jobs.

Only if the project’s impact pathway clearly and convincingly shows how the prototype products would result in 500 direct jobs being created within the lifespan of the project.

Yes, you can split one submission into multiple activity streams across two sectors, as long as the project has a clear strategy and the total number of jobs created reaches the 500 jobs mark.

At least 50% of jobs created – so 250 jobs (in case of 500 total) – should be for women.

Country level policies and laws are relevant in the sense that the project should respect them.

We believe private sector involvement is key to create decent sustainable jobs. Moreover, by having private sector entities take the lead this raises their sense of ownership.

As long as the Union is registered as private sector firm. On the other hand, if the members are registered private sector entities, one of them could assume the role of lead applicant.

No, 20 hrs is 0.5 FTE and considered the minimum for a decent job.

We work with standardized OANDA.com exchange rates for NGN-EURO as accessed in the month before submission.

Yes, but only for applicants that have been shortlisted from the concept note stage to the full proposal stage. Guidance will be provided at proposal stage.

Yes, if it meets the decent work criteria.

Yes, the minimum of 500 jobs is not a guidance, but a requirement. Projects that do not meet the 500 jobs will not be eligible. We are looking for jobs that are sustainable and will continue after project ending.

Overall Fund Design

No, but projects focusing on access to finance to enable job creation by companies are also eligible, as long as concrete guidance is given on how this will result in 500+ jobs.

Selection Criteria

Yes. However, please consider your capacity to implement two projects simultaneously. We strongly recommend against taking the lead in more than one project. We would also need reassurance that a single company isn’t receiving funding multiple times for the same costs that would be used on both projects (e.g. an asset, a person, etc.).

All states are eligible and project locations can cut across states in Nigeria.

Eligible projects under this call for proposals should commence at the latest in January 2021. Project duration is two to three years, so awarded projects should be finalized by January 2024. Reporting is done on a quarterly and annual basis.

Yes.

Yes.

Any private sector organization that is fully registered with CAC can apply for the fund. However a start-up company may struggle to meet some requirements – such as the co-funding and ability to create a significant number of jobs.

Yes, if the enterprise is registered as private sector firm.

The grant is only available for registered businesses.

Yes.

We do not have a target, but expect that between 5-10 projects in Nigeria will be receiving funding from CFYE.

Yes.

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