Open Call for Proposals to support SMEs in Commodity Sector

Open Call for Proposals to support SMEs in Commodity Sector

Deadline: 15-Apr-22

The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) invites applications for financial support from qualifying projects.

CFC can offer a range of financial and technical instruments of support to meet specific needs of SMEs/enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions along the entire commodity value chain in its member countries.

Mission: To contribute to poverty alleviation by strengthening the income-generating capacity of commodity producers and mitigating vulnerability to their economic well being.

Vision: To strengthen and diversify the commodity sector in developing countries and transform it to be a major contributor to poverty alleviation and sustained economic growth and development.

With poverty alleviation as the mission, CFC will support proposals investing in poorest and most vulnerable people in the global value chains, which may concern production, processing, financing, marketing, research etc.

Funding Information
  • The CFC funds projects with loan and other debt instruments.
  • The maximum amount is USD 1.5 million for regular projects, and up to USD 300,000 under the Fast-Track procedure.
  • However, they show some flexibility when they have projects with higher impacts and good case of finance.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Quality project proposals from LDCs (Least Developed Countries), LLDCs (Landlocked Developing Countries) and SIDs (Small Island Developing States) will be given priority to alleviate more people out of poverty.
  • The CFC expects that its involvement will enable innovation for positive change in the value chain, providing more income for all participants, securing equitable distribution of benefits, and contributing to social and environmental well-being of its poorest participants at the bottom of the pyramid.
  • CFC encourages applications proposing innovative solutions for the commodity sector, such as new agritech applications, agroforestry, agro-ecology themed innovative productivity practices, regenerative technologies, increase availability of renewable and affordable energy, expanding environmental services, expediting digital and green recovery, adding to the nutrition security, climate friendly practices contributing to biodiversity, preventing deforestation, digitalization, blockchain and other traceability solutions.
  • Financing can be provided in the form of loans for capital expenditures, working capital or trade finance to invest in productivity and value chain upgradations. Applications should clearly show operational and financial viability, and be economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. Women entrepreneurs are especially encouraged to apply.

For more information, visit https://www.common-fund.org/call-for-proposals