CREDIT & INVESTMENT SERVICES :: OPERATIONAL GRANTS

What is the purpose of MarChE ?

The purpose of the Market Chain Enhancement Project (MarChE) is to increase incomes, trade and investment in select market chains in Haiti by strengthening their competitiveness.

What are the values chains that MarChE project is working with?

The MarChE project is working in 2 (2) value chains:

• Agriculture (CNFA): Mango, Coffee, Cocoa, Essential Oils & Complementary Agro-systems such as yam, banana, sweet potatoes and crop associated with these chains.
• Tourism (IESC): Hotels, Tour Operators; Restaurants; and other Hospitality Services, and Construction and Transportation Industries.

What types of organizations MarChE is targeting?

MarChE’s priority will be on Small and Medium urban and rural enterprises (SME) investments.

What activities may be supported by MarChE grant funds?

• Equipment and other capital asset acquisition
• Technical assistance and training
• Capacity building and enterprise strengthening
• Technology Acquisition and Transfer
• Product DevelopmentMarket Access, Market Development and Positioning
• Organizational Strengthening
• Other investments strengthening SME competitiveness

What types of grants Marche will disburse?

• Private Public Alliance (PPA)
• Capital Grants
• Operational Grants
  What is a Private Public Alliance (PPA) Grant?
  Public-Private Alliances (PPA) are grants comprised of MarChE as the Public Partner and an enterprise or association as the Private Partner.
  PPAs are expected to bring significant new resources, expertise, technology and networks that help further develop the private sector in Haiti. Potential partners include private businesses and multinational corporations, business and trade associations, universities, foundations, host governments, other multilateral donor agencies, philanthropic leaders, venture capitalists and think tanks.
  PPAs will be developed to support private sector ventures whose success will contribute to the achievement of MarChE project goals and which will involve contributions of resources (staff time, funding, in-kind contributions of materials and equipment) from MarChE and from one or more “Alliance Partners.”
  A PPA grant size will range from $10,000.00 to $ 250,000.00
  What is a Capital Grant?
  A Capital Grant is a grant allocated to small, medium enterprises (SME) in the selected value chains to leverage investments in ventures and activity that meet the guidelines and objectives of the MarChE project.
  A Capital Grant size will range from $10,000.00 to $ 250,000.00
  What is an Operational Grant?
  An Operational Grant is a small grant allocated to fund small investments primarily, but not exclusively, servicing vulnerable populations. An operational grant may also be considered as a grant limited to one particular activity in an enterprise.
  An operational Grant cannot exceed $25,000.00
  

QUESTIONS

• Can an enterprise based in the Haitian Diaspora apply for a MarChE grant?
  • Yes, as long as this enterprise is legally registered in Haiti or is partnering with an association/community organization, which is licensed to do business in Haiti.
• Is there an investment matching ratio for the grants?
  • Yes, MarChE has established an investment matching ratio.
  • Proposals with a greater ratio, will be preferred to those offering lower contributions
  • A 2:1 match for Public Private Alliance (PPA) -type grants or capital grants.
  • A 1:1 match (in cash and in kind) for operational grants are preferred ratios.
    
• What is a 2:1 match?
  • If a grantee requests $100,000.00 of MarChE’s fund, the grantee’s contribution will be $200,000.00.
  • In this scenario, the minimum project cost would be $300,000.00.
• What is a 1:1 match?
• If the grantee requests $25,000.00 of MarChE’s Fund; the grantee will have to contribute $25,000 towards the project.
• Thus, the total project would be at least $50,000.00.
• Does the partner investment will need to be in cash?
• No, only 25% of the partner’s contribution needs to be in cash.
• The remaining 75% may be in kind.
• What will be the selection criteria?
  • Conformity to Haiti MarChE Objectives.
    • Is the proposed activity in line with Haiti MarChE objectives and the project SOW?
    • What is the likelihood the activity will help meet project targets and further project objectives? (20 points)
  • Technical Approach.
    • Is the technical approach feasible in the given time period with the given resources? (10)
    • Is the technical approach innovative? (5)
    • Is the technical approach replicable? (5) = (20 points)
  • Institutional Capacity.
    • Does the organization present evidence it possesses the technical, managerial, and financial capacity to accomplish the proposed task? (15 points)
  • Cost.
    • Is the proposed cost within the expected range?
    • Are costs reasonable when compared to similar operations; are they, allocable in terms of allocation to clear budgetary lines; and are they allowable by USAID regulations?
    • Can the organization demonstrate it adheres to basic accounting and management principles?
    • To what extent does the proposed activity leverage other funding sources? (15 points)
  • Cross-Cutting Issues.
    • Does the grantee incorporate gender and youth issues? (5 points)
      Resources.
    • Does the grantee source its raw material from local producers? Will the grantee increase local employment? (10 points)
  • Viability.
    • Will the activity be sustainable over the long term without continued external support? (15 points)
  • Environmental Compliance
• Can an institution apply for multiple awards?
  • Yes, an institution may apply for multiple awards.
  • However, a single institution may not receive more than $250,000 over the life of the MarChE project.
  • In the case of Public-Private Alliances, a PPA partner may not receive funding on more than one USAID-funded proposal.
• Is there a time limit as to when we can submit an application?
  • Applications will not be accepted after January 2011
• How can I apply for a grant?
• The applicant has to complete a concept paper based on MarChE’s template.
• Fifteen (15) days after receipt of the concept paper, applicants that are judged to be competitive will be requested to submit a full proposal.
• How can I obtain a grant application information?
• At the following offices
  • Pétion-Ville: 7, rue Ogé, Pétion-Ville
  • Jacmel : Angle avenue la Liberté et rue Christophe, Jacmel
  • Cayes : ORE, Lamartiniere, route de Camp-Perrin, Cayes
  • Cap-Haitien : # 90, rue 18 B, Cap-Haitien
• On our website : www.haiti-marche.com
• How to submit a proposal?
  • At the following offices
    • Pétion-Ville : 7, rue Ogé, Pétion-Ville
    • Jacmel : Angle avenue la Liberté et rue Christophe, Jacmel
    • Cayes : ORE, Lamartiniere, route de Camp-Perrin, Cayes
    • Cap-Haitien : # 90, rue 18 B, Cap-Haitien
  • On our website : www.haiti-marche.com
  • By email : info@cnfahaiti.org

GRANTS CONCEPT PAPER CALLS FOR PROPOSITIONS PRESENTATIONS MARCHE RESOURCE

 

 

 

 

 

 

@2009 MarChE