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Launch of calls for proposals
Applicants please check the Concept Note Application Guide (pdf) and eligibility criteria before applying
Register in SmartME, the online application system
Create and submit the Concept Note in SmartME
Concept Notes received, screened and shortlisted
Only shortlisted Applicants are invited to submit Full Proposals
Carefully read the Full Proposal Application Guide
Create and submit the Full Proposal in SmartME
Full Proposals assessed and ranked
Due Diligence conducted on shortlisted Full Proposals
SIFA Investment Committee selects winners
Contract negotiations and signature of the Implementation Agreement
For general questions, please check the FAQs. If you cannot find the right answer, please contact us using the contact form. For technical functionality problems in the online application system SmartME, login to SmartME and visit the SmartME Helpdesk in the section "Support".
LARGE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT PROJECTS
Grant Amount per project
Up to EUR 3 million
Thematic Area
Large investment projects
Eligible Applicants
Lead: Domestic public or private accredited training provider
Primary Partner: Domestic private sector entity
Applicant contribution
At least 10 % of total project cost/investment
Project Implementation Period
Up to 30 months
Call Status and Deadlines
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT INVESTMENT PROJECTS
Grant Amount per project
Between EUR 1 and EUR 1.5 million
Thematic Area
Skills development investment projects
Eligible Applicants
Lead: International company with training activities
Primary Partner: Domestic public or private accredited training provider
Applicant contribution
At least 30 % of total project cost/ investment
Project Implementation Period
24 to 30 months
INNOVATIVE SKILLS PROJECTS
Grant Amount per project
Between EUR 0.2 and 0.8 million
Thematic Area
Innovative skills projects
Eligible Applicants
Public or private training provider, NGO registered to provide training, SME, incubation or accelerator centre
Applicant contribution
5% or 10% of total project cost (depending on the thematic area of the proposal)
Project Implementation Period
Up to 24 months
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Each Applicant (consortium) must:
Each Applicant must provide the following evidence as proof of eligibility of the consortium:
CONCEPT NOTE - CHECKLIST
FULL PROPOSAL – CHECKLIST
The full proposal must include:
Applications will be considered NON-eligible if they do not demonstrate the above stated requirements.
For all three funding windows, premium will be placed on:
Employment-oriented skills development initiatives that are of high quality, relevant to priority growth sectors, financially viable and ready to implement. Innovativeness, involvement of the private sector, positive impact on growth-oriented employment opportunities for youth, women, the disabled, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, sustainability of the initiative and prospects for regional replicability and upscaling are among the important factors that must be addressed.
Eligible PROJECTS for Window I
A combination of 5 technical and didactical interventions:
*The activities 3-5 can be funded only in combination with the core activities 1 and/or 2 and only up to 5 % of the total project cost.
Eligible APPLICANTS for Window I
Eligible Applicants will be experienced stakeholders in the field of skills development. One responsible Lead will always form a consortium with either one or two partners.
Lead
Primary Partner (mandatory) - The Lead must have one of the following as a Primary Partner:
Secondary Partner (optional) - In addition, the Lead can have one of the following as a Secondary Partner:
Counterpart (Applicant’s own) contribution
At least 10 % of total project cost
Project Implementation Period
Up to 30 months
Eligible PROJECTS for Window II
A combination of 5 technical and didactical interventions:
*The activities 3-5 can be funded only in combination with the core activities 1 and/or 2 and only up to 5 % of the total project cost.
Eligible APPLICANTS for Window II
Lead
Primary Partner (mandatory) - The Lead must have one of the following as a Primary Partner:
Secondary Partner (optional) - In addition, the Lead can have one of the following as a Secondary Partner:
Counterpart (Applicant’s own) contribution
At least 30 % of total project cost
Project Implementation Period
Up to 36 months
Eligible PROJECTS for Window III
Eligible APPLICANTS for Window III
Lead
Domestic public or private entity:
Partner(s)
One or two partners to be selected from among the entities below. If the Lead is public then one of the partners needs to be private.
Counterpart (Applicant’s own) contribution
At least 10 % of total project cost/investment
Project Implementation Period
Up to 24 months
Maximum Points: 20
It is important that proposals, in particular if focused on construction or large procurements, are ready-to-be implemented projects, i.e.
Maximum Points: 10
Proposals present innovative ability in terms of innovative training design and delivery or technology-enabled learning or digitised skills programmes and financing partnerships.
Maximum Points: 10
Maximum Points: 10
Proposals demonstrate possibility for becoming a regional show case / best practice provider of employable skills development, such as:
Maximum Points: 10
Proposed project must involve the private sector from the start and show evidence of involvement of private sector in:
Maximum Points: 20
Proposals must include specific measures to address the specific needs or employment opportunities for women, youth and vulnerable groups, including refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons, the disadvantaged and disabled (e.g. female and youth enrolment, advocacy strategies and retention and job placements).
Maximum Points: 15
Proposals demonstrate quality as well as coherence and completeness of the documentation provided.
Maximum Points: 5
Proposals must demonstrate impact on employability and contribution to national human resource development agenda.
Total maximum Points: 100
All eligible proposals will be assessed and ranked. To qualify for shortlisting, proposals must obtain a minimum score of 60 points. The three highest-ranked Concept Notes for each participating country will be shortlisted and invited to submit Full Proposals.
SIFA is an initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC) supported by the German Government to strengthen occupational prospects of young people in Africa.
CONTACT INFORMATION
SIFA | NIRAS - IP Consult
Unit 0073 | Block J – Central Park
400 16th Road | Cnr 16 & New Road
Midrand | Johannesburg 1685 | South Africa