Challenge Fund for a Just Transition Program
Growth Acceleration Round 2023
About the Program
Challenge Fund for a Climate Just Transition (CFCJT) is a program Funded by Hivos and implemented in Egypt by Nahdet el Mahrousa and Chemonics. CFCJT aims to contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts through creating sustainable decent jobs for more than 10,000 young women and men through the green transition process of countries in North Africa, mainly in Egypt, Tunisia, Alegria and Morocco.
To this end, the outcomes of the programme are: (1) enable 25 Small and Growing Businesses (SGBs) contributing to the green transition and their micro clusters to scale their businesses (2) increase the technical capabilities and financial resources of SGBs and local intermediaries to leverage more commercial and non-commercial financing, and (3) incentivize systemic change towards decent and inclusive employment by providing evidence-based, proven, business cases highlighting the commercial opportunities of a just and green transition.
CFCJT aims to deliver a growth management program for 25 green firms. The program’s main objective is to assist those firms in adapting their strategy, business model and operations to achieve scalability and a sustained rapid growth.
Time left until deadline
Benefits and Services
The program offers business and technical support through Nahdet El Mahrousa and Chemonics Egypt, respectively; through offering capacity building workshops, consultations and technical assistance of top sector technical and business experts. Support will include:
1
Developing the business’s strategic growth plans
2
Impact Investment Funding of up to 350,000 EGP that is asset and milestone based*
3
Diagnostic of business operations
4
Improving performance, quality control and assurance
5
Re-designing or enhancing the startup’s business models and operations to prepare for sustained growth and scalability
6
Networking with key markets players including potential clients, suppliers, NGOs, universities, and other key stakeholders.
7
Networking opportunities with the four countries of program operation (Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria & Morocco)
8
Raising commercial and non-commercial finance
9
Environmental impact reporting training
10
Project development and account management support offered by the NM incubator team.
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Access to financial, legal, HR and digital marketing consultations at discounted rates
*non-equity Impact Investment Funding: the ticket size is up to LE 350k. Startups commit to designate the maximum percentage allowed by law in CSR contribution to Nahdet el Mahrousa for 7 years, or up to the same amount they received
Eligibility Criteria
The Startup
1
Startups with demonstrated revenue track record of selling products or services that contribute to reducing carbon emissions, enhancing climate resilience or climate adaptation (i.e., sustainable agriculture and food production, recycling and waste management, sustainable water management (efficient irrigation, desalination, waste-water reuse), renewable energy, sustainable transportation, eco-tourism, resource efficiency).
2
Demonstrated revenue growth potential year-on-year.
3
Employment of 10 – 50+ direct and indirect labor and with a clear plan to increase employment (targets at least 30% additional direct and indirect labor within 2 years) – (preference will be given to applications with the highest numbers)
4
Integrated micro-businesses in the supply chain (i.e., micro suppliers & distributors, small enterprise customers, service providers)
5
6
Commitment towards improving the current jobs within the firm (I.e., offering training to current employees, job promotions, etc.)
7
Commitment toward inclusion of women and youth (particularly in recruitment of staff, senior managers, and board members)
8
Commitment towards the growth management program: attending all sessions, actively engaging in all sessions, and responding to emails/ phone calls in a timely way.
Key Dates
Online application deadline |
One on one in depth meetings with semifinalists
Selection panel and final selection of 4 startups
Program kick off starting with needs assessments for each startup
How to Apply?
Fill in the application form (English or Arabic) and submit it before 11:59 PM on the 29th of June 2023 (priority will be given to early applications).
For questions or further inquiries, please contact apply@nahdetelmahrousa.org
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Glossary
Carbon emissions: is a by-product of burning fossil fuels (such as oil, gas, and coal), of burning biomass, of land-use changes (LUC) and of industrial processes (e.g., cement production). It is the reference gas against which other GHGs are measured and therefore has a global warming potential (GWP)
Climate change mitigation: A human intervention to reduce emissions or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases. Mitigation measures are technologies, processes or practices that contribute to mitigation, for example, renewable energy (RE) technologies, waste minimization processes, sustainable water management, sustainable agriculture and food production, and public transport commuting practices.
Climate change adaptation: The process of adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects, to moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities.
Climate resilience: The capacity of social, economic, and environmental systems to cope with a hazardous event or trend or disturbance, responding or reorganizing in ways that maintain their essential function, identity and structure while also maintaining the capacity for adaptation, learning and transformation.
Decent jobs: It involves opportunities for work that is productive and delivers a fair income, security in the workplace and social protection for all, better prospects for personal development and social integration, freedom for people to express their concerns, organize and participate in the decisions that affect their lives and equality of opportunity and treatment for all women and men.
Green jobs: are decent jobs that contribute to preserve or restore the environment, be they in traditional sectors such as manufacturing and construction, or in new, emerging green sectors such as renewable energy and energy efficiency. Green jobs contribute to improving energy and raw materials efficiency, limiting greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing waste and pollution, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and adapting to the effects of climate change
Indirect labor: refer to the employment created through economic linkages in the society or jobs that were created because of the change in the situation of the suppliers and distributors of the targeted sector or area
Micro-businesses: businesses which employ fewer than 10 persons.
Micro clusters: A geographic concentration of interconnected businesses, suppliers, distributors, and service providers creating direct and indirect synergies among them
About Nahdet El Mahrousa
Nahdet El Mahrousa (NM) is an Egyptian not-for-profit, non-governmental organization (NPO/NGO) that builds the capacities of organizations to improve and expand their social impact. It does so through a) an incubator program that supports social enterprsies from the idea stages all the way to the growth and scale up phases, b) a capacity building program for NGOs and other civil society organizations, and c) an entrepreneurs’ hub that offers business support services, coworking facilities, and a range of other services like trainings, workshops, events, and networking opportunities.
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