CATALYTIC TRUST FUND
Funding Opportunity Advertisement
Call for Business Concept Proposals
Introduction:
The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania – Catalytic Trust Fund (SAGCOT-CTF)
is pleased to announce the availability of funding for creating business linkages between
smallholder farmers and value chain buyers operating in Tanzania. The objective of this
funding is to link smallholder farmers to agricultural value chains within the Southern
Agricultural Corridor of Tanzania. The fund will (a) expand the number of smallholders linked
to agribusinesses through successful commercial partnerships and (b) improve the revenues
derived by smallholders and rural communities from these partnerships in the form of
growth in agricultural productivity, income and employment.
Towards this objective, the SAGCOT-CTF has set aside funding to promote Tanzanian-based
companies, cooperatives, non-profits and entrepreneurs to provide solutions to meet the
needs of rural, marginalized communities through agriculture and agribusiness linkage
programs.
SAGCOT-CTF Business Linkages Financing:
SAGCOT-CTF proposes to provide business linkage funding of up to $100,000 to 5
promising ventures to enable existing stakeholders to invest more into interventions that will
benefit smallholder farmers through market/price guarantees, provision of new skills and
modern technologies, shared infrastructure development, product value-addition, interestfree loans for farm inputs, etc. Following a defined process of application, evaluation and
competitive selection, the fund will, therefore, be limited to guarantees directly related to
expanding smallholder participation in competitive agricultural value chains.The SAGCOTCTF Concept Note Template available through our SAGCOT-CTF officedescribes the required
elements to be developed by applicants as a basis for selection. SAGCOT-CTF may choose to
select fewer or more proposals depending on quality and potential of business proposals
presented.
Eligibility Criteria:
This competition will only consider proposals from Tanzanian‐registered private
non‐governmental organizations, associations or companies operating in good standing
with smallholder farmers. Evidence of nationality and indication that the applicant is in good
standing with relevant authorities will be required before announcing the grant award.
Priority will be given to business concepts that benefit rural, marginalized populations.
Assessment Criteria:
1. Potential viability/bankability of proposed business concept. (40%)
2. Applicant’s prior related experience (25%)
3. Potential of business to reach more underserved smallholder farmers (35%)
Application Process:
The business proposal Concept Note Template can be obtained from the CTF Office.
Information presented in the template proposal is anticipated to be estimates that will be up
dated as a result of the business plan exercise. The completed proposal template
along with required documentation should be submitted by email, on or before July 15th, 20
15 to bp@sagcot-ctf.or.tz. Proposals sent to any other email address will not be accepted.
Timeline:
The competition will run from June 15, 2015 to July 15, 2015. Proposals received after the
closing date of July15th, 2015 will not be accepted. SAGCOT-CTF will evaluate the proposals,
based on the assessment criteria provided above and SAGCOT-CTF will make the final
decisions on the approved proposals. The winners will be notified by email and will be
required to immediately contact the SAGCOT-CTF for further instructions. The winners will
receive support from an expert advisory team appointed by SAGCOT-CTF for development
of their full business plans. Full Business Plans will be due within fourweeks of receipt of
grant proceeds.
About SAGCOT-CTF:
The Southern Agricultural Growth Corridor of Tanzania (SAGCOT) is an international publicprivate partnership launched at the World Economic Forum on Africa in May 2010 in Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania with its mandate to mobilize private sector agribusiness investments, in
linkage with public sector commitments, to achieve rapid and sustainable agricultural
growth in the southern corridor of Tanzania.SAGCOT is a centrepiece of Tanzania’s “Kilimo
Kwanza” strategy for pursuing food security, poverty reduction and reduced vulnerability to
climate change with its members drawn from the Tanzanian government, the Tanzanian and
international private sectors, farmers, foundations and donor institutions. SAGCOT
encourages a green growth model for agriculture. Agricultural green growth encompasses
conserving natural resources, reducing vulnerability to climate change, and limiting
greenhouse gas emissions. A green growth strategy promotes green technology and green
modes of production.
As part of implementing the joint agreed programs under SAGCOT, the Settlors set up a
catalytic fund, called the SAGCOT Catalytic Trust Fund (CTF), with initial financial backing
from the Tanzanian government, the private sector and certain development partners.The
objective of the CTF is to provide funds to catalyse agribusiness investment associated with
developing the Agribusiness Sector and the strengthening of supply chains encompassing
Smallholders and to assist with the initial costs of developing commercially viable
agricultural businesses in SAGCOT that incorporate Smallholders, in every case to be
channelled through various forms as may be required from time to time by funders of the
CTF.
For information on the Trust Fund, please visit our office at Palm Residency Building,
Ocean View, Chimara Road, 3rd Floor, Wing E. For detailed information on the SAGCOT
initiative, presentations and relevant details, please visit www.sagcot.com. For more
information please contact us through info@sagcot-ctf.or.tz or call us at +255-22
2924 143.