Applications Open for Grant for Agroecology Program Fund (GAP) Fund | CALL FOR CONCEPT NOTE FOR THE GAP CHALLENGE FUND ROUND - III

Grant for Agroecology Program Fund (GAP) Fund

CALL FOR CONCEPT NOTE FOR

THE GAP CHALLENGE FUND ROUND - III

About the Organization

ACCESS Development Services, established in 2006, collaborates with Civil Society Organizations, governments, private sectors, and donors to enhance the incomes of smallholder farmers and strengthen Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) through value addition and climate-resilient farming. With a presence in 11 states and headquarters in Delhi, ACCESS impacts the livelihoods of 410,000 households, focusing on vulnerable groups such as tribal communities, minorities, women, small farmers, and artisans. The organization creates model FPOs to serve as learning hubs for other promoters, government agencies, and funders.

Grant for Agroecology Program (GAP) Fund

ACCESS is managing an investment fund on behalf of International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), as part of the Investments in Agroecology Value Chain Projects (IAVCP) that aims to promote agroecology-based value chains. IAVCP focuses on identifying viable business opportunities linked to agroecology clusters and value chains, providing investment support for integrated agroecology based sustainable production systems by supporting Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) and Producer Organization Enterprises (POE) through grants, technical assistance and ecosystem support. The objective is to improve their businesses, enhance their agroecological outcomes, and provide tangible benefits to small producers in the value chain.

As part of the GAP Challenge Fund, ACCESS is inviting Concept Notes from eligible enterprises for grant investments in the range of Rs. 1 Cr to Rs. 2 Cr for setting up or expanding high impact business projects in Agroecology Value Chains.

The objective of the Grant is to assist agroecology focused MSEs and Producer Organization Enterprises (POEs) to help them become integral part of sustainable food systems. By providing financial support through a competitive grant mechanism, the GAP- Fund aims to empower these enterprises to scale their agroecological innovations and address pressing challenges in their respective value chains, thereby enhancing sustainable livelihoods for small producers through a viable and sustainable business model.

Reasons to participate

Receive grant of up to INR 2 crore to part fund your business plan, become part of GAP Fund community of agroecology enterprise and showcase your impact.

Eligible Entities:

• Producer Organization Enterprises (POEs) involved in Agroecology: These could be Farmer Producer Organizations/Companies (FPO/FPC), Producer Organizations/ Companies (PO/PC), Producer Groups (PG), Producer Cooperatives, Federations of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and other forms of producer collective enterprises^[1].
• Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs): For-profit enterprises linked to agroecology value chains, including start-up organizations and individual entrepreneurs, can apply, provided they are registered.

Non-profit organizations/NGOs can assist with the preparation of an application by a Producer Organization or Enterprise, but they cannot apply in their own right.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be a Producer Organization Enterprises (POEs) such as Producer Companies or Cooperatives or any registered entities/ Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs)
• The enterprise must have been in operation for at least 2 years on the date of the application
• Audited financial statements for the past 02 years are available
• Proof of 30% co-funding
• Minimum coverage of 1000 small and marginal producers

Project Location: Grant for Agroecology Program (GAP) Challenge Fund is open pan India.

How to apply

Link - https://forms.gle/h61XRZLXJN6YcEQW9

Timeline:

Apply by Monday, 12th August 2024, 11:59 PM IST

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[1] Women’s groups, vulnerable groups, and youth groups that are formalized and made into a collective are also eligible.

Tags Food, Agriculture and Nutrition Others