USAID/Nigeria Covid-19 Food Security Challenge 2021 (Up to $150,000 Grant per Awardee)

Applications are now invited from youth-led companies and mid-stage companies across Nigeria for the USAID/Nigeria Covid-19 Food Security Challenge 2021. This is in a bid to counter the food security crisis already compounded by the COVID-19 global pandemic and its effects on the food value chain in the country.

As part of the Feed the Future initiative, USAID/Nigeria is seeking to partner with youth-led companies (up to age 29) and mid-stage companies (with an existing customer base of more than 1,000 people) that are already working in food production, processing, and/or distribution.

Also Check: Olam Prize for Innovation in Food Security 2021

USAID/Nigeria Covid-19 Food Security Challenge 2021 | About the Challenge

The Challenge aims to:

• Increase food and agriculture system productivity and enhance efficient production along the value chains in order to unlock agricultural production that has been limited by COVID-19’s impact on food production, processing, and distribution in Nigeria.
• Increase income for Base of the Pyramid (BoP) women and men in both rural and urban areas.
• Provide youth-led and mid-stage companies the technical assistance and capital they need to sustainably scale solutions to meet the requirements of the Challenge.
• Promote climate and environmental resilience as well as biodiversity through the sustainable, holistic management of natural resources and ecosystems.
• Develop and promote innovative and local food-based models, including the local production, processing, and marketing of highly nutritious foods to prevent and/or treat wasting/acute malnutrition.
• Promote socially responsible marketing/advertising to increase demand for safe, nutritious foods and other nutrition-related commodities and services.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements to participate in USAID/Nigeria Covid-19 Food Security Challenge 2021. All applications will undergo an initial eligibility screening to ensure they comply with the eligibility criteria.

• Organization Type: This Challenge is only open to registered for-profit companies who have a local presence in Nigeria (see more details on local presence below). We encourage applications from micro, small, and medium enterprises that have not previously worked with USAID.
• Size: The Challenge is open to all relevant companies regardless of size.
• Local Presence: All applicants must be registered and authorized by the national government in Nigeria or have at least one registered Nigerian local partner. This local partner could be a commercial partner, joint venture partner, or candidate for a merger or acquisition. If working with a registered Nigerian partner, the local partner should have a tangible stake in the innovation and its development rather than, for example, a local merchandiser who stocks the product.
• Company Maturity: All applicants must have a sustainable and financially viable business model for their innovation in the Nigerian food security value chain.
• Additional Eligibility: Please refer to the official webpage (link below) for complete eligibility requirements

The Incentives

• For youth-led: The Challenge anticipates making $1.25 million available for 15-25 awards of $25,000 to $75,000in funding and technical assistance for commercially viable, youth-led (up to age 29) companies to improve food production and/or food security.
• For mid-stage: The Challenge also anticipates making $1.75 million available for 10-15 awards of $75,000 to $150,000in funding and technical assistance for mid-stage enterprises (with an existing customer base of more than 1,000 people) that can rapidly expand their activities to improve food production and/or food security.

How to Apply

• Read the Request for Applications to understand the application process and requirements
• Review the Challenge’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)and Fact Sheet
• Email us any questions you have about the Challenge by April 23, 2021
• Register and join us for our informational webinar on April 28, 2021 at 2:00 PM WAT
• Apply through the Online Application Portal by the application deadline.
• Application Deadline: May 9, 2021 at 5:00 PM WAT

Visit the Official Website for Further Details