Call for Proposals: Transitional Packages Challenge Fund for Innovation in Agricultural TVET (ACTIVATE)

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The Accelerating Change Through InnoVation in Agricultural TVET (ACTIVATE) project, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is a transformative initiative aimed at revitalizing Ghana’s Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) system. This five-year program is designed to bridge the gap between education and employment by creating a demand-driven, industry-led framework that equips young people with the skills and resources needed to thrive in agriculture and related sectors. By fostering innovation, resilience, and sustainability, the ACTIVATE project contributes to Ghana’s agricultural transformation and economic growth.

A critical focus of the ACTIVATE project is supporting ATVET graduates in their transition from training to sustainable self-employment or formal employment in agribusiness. Many graduates face significant barriers, including a lack of tools, equipment, and startup capital, as well as gaps in entrepreneurial and business management skills. The introduction of transition packages, comprising startup kits, financial grants, and mentorship opportunities, addresses these challenges. These packages are designed to empower graduates to launch viable agribusiness ventures and overcome the resource, skill, and funding constraints that hinder their success.

The program also prioritizes inclusivity, ensuring that marginalized groups such as women and persons with disabilities are given equitable opportunities to participate and benefit from the transition packages. By promoting inclusive agripreneurship, the ACTIVATE project seeks to foster a more equitable agricultural ecosystem, where diverse talents and perspectives drive innovation and growth. This approach not only enhances the livelihoods of individual graduates but also contributes to the broader transformation of Ghana’s agribusiness sector.

OBJECTIVES OF THE CALL
Main Objective
The primary objective of this call for proposals is to identify and partner with an organization or a firm capable of designing and implementing transition packages that empower ATVET graduates to successfully transition into sustainable self-employment and agribusiness ventures. By addressing key barriers such as resource constraints, skills gaps, and funding limitations, this initiative aims to enhance the employability and entrepreneurial success of graduates while contributing to Ghana’s broader agricultural transformation.

Specific Objectives

• Provide startup kits tailored to specific agricultural value chains: Successful organization or firm is expected to deliver customized startup kits that include tools, equipment, and resources aligned with graduates’ technical training. These kits should target trade areas in agro-processing, vegetables, fabrication and maintenance and specialized services, and other critical sectors in Ghana’s agricultural economy.
• Deliver financial grants to support promising agribusiness ideas: Applicants must facilitate the disbursement of financial grants to graduates with innovative and viable agribusiness proposals. These grants should be awarded through a transparent and competitive process, such as pitch competitions and demonstration days in partnership with established agripreneurship centers, to ensure fairness and effectiveness.
• Establish mentorship and incubation programs for skills development: Proposals must include plans to partner with established agripreneurship centers to set up mentorship networks and incubation programs that provide ongoing support to program participants. These programs should focus on enhancing graduates’ technical, entrepreneurial, and financial management skills, equipping them to successfully navigate the complexities of starting and sustaining agribusiness ventures.

Key Components of the Transition package
Startup Kits: The transition packages will include tailored startup kits containing tools, equipment, and resources necessary for graduates to launch their agribusinesses. The contents of these kits will align with the specific agricultural value chains chosen by the graduates. These kits will be offered in partnership with participating ATVET centers, targeting young trainees who show capacity and talent for small-scale businesses and self-employment. The kits will provide tools and essential support for young people entering self-employment or small-scale businesses. Trainees accessing these kits will have completed certified training at a College, Farm Institute, or informal training provider. Additionally, they will have completed specific training in employability and/or entrepreneurship.

Startup Grants: The startup grants will provide financial support to scale agribusiness ideas and will be awarded through a competitive pitch competition organized by ATVET-based entrepreneurship centers. These grants will be offered in cash and will involve larger investments for aspiring entrepreneurs. Startup grants will target trainees who have completed entrepreneurship training or incubation. Recipients will be selected through business competitions organized by ATVET-based entrepreneurship centers. Furthermore, grant recipients will be offered additional support in the early stages of business development.

Aftercare Support: Grant recipients will receive ongoing aftercare support, including mentorship, training, and access to resources to help grow their agribusinesses. This includes regular check-ins with industry experts, guidance on business strategy, and networking opportunities. The goal is to ensure sustainable growth and success for young agripreneurs, helping them navigate challenges and scale their businesses effectively.

SCOPE OF WORK

Proposals submitted under this call must address the following key components to ensure effective implementation of the transition packages initiative:

• Designing and Managing the Transition Package Intervention
  • Ensure the successful implementation of the startup kits and grants to qualifying ATVET young agripreneurs graduates.
  • Collaborate with key stakeholders including ATVET institutions, agripreneurship centers, and other partners.
  • Oversee the distribution of startup kits and grants in a timely, equitable, and transparent manner.
• A key component of implementing the transition packages is a comprehensive needs assessment. In collaboration with the agripreneurship centers, the partner firm will conduct assessments through pitch competitions, demonstration days, and by directly targeting learners from training centers (e.g., hubs, ATVET institutions, etc.). The objectives of these assessments are as follows:
  • Identify tools and resources required for specific agribusiness ventures: This involves determining the essential tools, equipment, and resources tailored to various agricultural trades within selected agricultural sub-sectors and adjacent industries, such as agro-processing, fabrication and maintenance, vegetable production, and specialized services. These assessments will be aligned with market demands and the technical training  received by the graduates.
  • Select formal and informal ATVET graduates for participation: Proposals should outline the criteria and processes for identifying and targeting both formal ATVET graduates (final-year students from accredited institutions) and informal graduates (certificate holders from short-term courses). This approach ensures inclusive participation and provides equal opportunities for all eligible graduates to benefit from the program.
• Implementation
  • Distribute startup kits aligned with technical training and business readiness: Proposals should outline plans for distributing tailored startup kits that address the specific needs of selected graduates and their agribusiness ventures. These kits must be aligned with the value chains identified during the needs assessment, which will be conducted at special events (e.g., pitch competitions and demonstration days) organized by the agripreneurship centers. Additionally, the proposals should include strategies for engaging learners graduating from CBT programs at training centers and ATVET institutions.
  • Establish mentorship and coaching networks to support beneficiaries: Applicants must detail how they will create and sustain mentorship programs, connecting graduates with experienced agripreneurs who can provide ongoing guidance and support to ensure business sustainability.
• Capacity Building and Support. In partnership with established agripreneurship centers,
  • Suggest/advise on capacity-building services required by grant recipients, including training on business development, financial management, and market access.
  • Facilitate graduates access to mentoring and coaching services to ensure sustainable business development.

KEY DELIVERABLES
Proposals must outline how they will achieve the following key deliverables:

• Implementation Framework for the transition package: Develop a comprehensive implementation framework to guide the implementation of the key components of the transition package.
• Distribution of 1,000 startup kits and financial grants to ATVET graduates: Ensure that tailored startup kits, aligned with the needs of specific agricultural value chains, are distributed to eligible graduates. The grants must be awarded to the most promising agribusiness proposals selected through a competitive process, such as pitch competitions.
• Submission of regular monitoring and evaluation reports: Develop a framework for tracking progress and submitting reports at regular intervals. These reports should include data on the distribution of kits and grants, the outcomes of agribusiness ventures, and the impact of mentorship and incubation services on beneficiaries' success.

BUDGET GUIDELINES

• Each recipient of a startup kit and financial grant will receive a maximum of $1,500 for essential tools, equipment, and resources tailored to their specific agribusiness or enterprise, as well as for scaling their agribusiness ideas.
• Applying organisations shall budget for level of effort to administer the grants to recipients as well as the aftercare support to the beneficiaries.
• Applicants shall use only approved budget templates from WUSC to present their budget proposal.

EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals submitted under this call will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Relevance to Program Objectives (30%): Proposals must demonstrate a clear alignment with the goals of the transition package initiative, including support for ATVET graduates through startup kits, grants, and mentorship programs. Emphasis will be placed on inclusivity and addressing the needs of marginalized groups.
• Implementation Feasibility (30%): The proposed implementation plan must be practical, achievable within the project timeline, and include a robust framework for needs assessment, distribution, mentorship, and monitoring.
• Organizational Capacity (20%): Applicants must provide evidence of their experience and ability to manage and implement similar projects, including their capacity to handle grants, establish mentorship networks, and ensure compliance with financial and programmatic requirements.
• Cost-Effectiveness (20%): Proposals should present a detailed budget that reflects efficient use of resources while achieving maximum impact. Cost-effectiveness will be assessed based on the alignment of the budget with program objectives and deliverables.
• Additional Points: Proposals that incorporate innovative approaches, demonstrate strong partnerships with stakeholders, or present scalable and sustainable solutions will receive additional consideration.