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The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries (LDCs). With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development.

UNCDF, through this RFA, seeks to develop inclusive digital economies in the countries of strategic interest in the Asia region. It is imperative to focus on agricultural value chains digitization given their contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) and employed population to achieve this goal. The agricultural value chain digitization RFA seeks to support the development and growth of digital agribusiness models and solutions to alleviate financial and other constraints for agribusinesses and smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth, in the region following the disruptions caused by COVID-19 in agricultural value chains.

Focus intervention areas under this RFA will include:

• access to finance;
• digitization solutions for agricultural value chains;
• market linkages; and
• innovative digital technology solutions and products, with a clear focus on women and youth.

The proposed interventions – irrespective of the affiliated country – should be deployed in the agribusiness sector in Bangladesh, Cambodia or Nepal focusing on women and youth.

The foreseen budget assigned by UNCDF will be up to US$300,000 for the three countries. The UNCDF contributions for individual proposals can range from US$50,000 to US$70,000, and UNCDF will award funds to multiple organizations based on the quality of the proposals. Grant amounts could be larger for innovations ready to be scaled up. Applicants are expected to fund at least 30 per cent of the total project cost in cash (for costs such as technical resources, staff and operational expenses).

The proposed solution must be implemented during 12 months after the PBA has been signed.

All applications must be submitted by 23:59 (EST, the New York time zone) on 19 November 2021 via APPLY.

In case of questions, please write at rfa.ide.asia@uncdf.org Please include in your subject line: “Agricultural value chain digitization RFA”.