Impact Hub Kigali, in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), will extend its support to the third edition of the IGNITE Food Systems Challenge: Empowering Refugee Communities in Rwanda, with a primary focus on empowering refugees and addressing their livelihood needs. This initiative seeks to foster entrepreneurship and investment in ventures that enhance food systems, combat hunger, and elevate food security, with a particular emphasis on serving refugee populations.
Requirements
The Program is seeking dynamic and impactful businesses—including startups, MSMEs, and cooperatives—operating in Rwanda to participate in our program. Applicants with commercially viable solutions aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of refugees are invited to apply. Eligible businesses must be registered in Rwanda and actively engaged in operations that are either owned by refugees or significantly benefit refugees.
Refugee Empowerment and Livelihood SolutionsFood Systems Innovations to Benefit Refugee CommunitiesLeveraging Digitization to Improve Refugees’ Access to Food and ResourcesFacilitating Access to Financial Resources and Entrepreneurship Opportunities for RefugeesEnhancing Refugees’ Access to Employment Opportunities and MarketsInfrastructure Development to Support Refugee Settlements and CommunitiesProviding Training and Skills Development Programs Tailored to Refugee NeedsPromoting Social Enterprise and Cooperative Models to Benefit Refugee Entrepreneurs
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Non-Refugee-Owned Businesses
The business must directly impact refugees in Rwanda or seek to enhance the livelihoods of refugees.Must be a registered business in Rwanda with at least 2 years of operations.Provision of RDB/RCA certificateMust have a team of at least two full-time members dedicated to the MSME or cooperative, including the founding team.At least 50% of the founding or senior management team must be Rwandan.Must have proof of revenues of at least RWF 5,000,000 for the full year of 2023.Must have existing key operations in Rwanda.
Refugee-Owned Businesses
The refugee owner must be registered in RwandaMust be a registered business in Rwanda with at least 1 year of operations.Provision of RDB/RCA certificateMust have a team of at least two full-time members dedicated to the MSME or cooperative, including the founding team.Must have proof of revenues of at least RWF 2,000,000 for the full year of 2023.Must have existing key operations in Rwanda
Benefits
Selected ventures will have access to the following benefits that will support them to scale their businesses:
Up to $25,000 in grant funding5-month tailored technical support with expertsNetworking opportunities and access to eventsAccess to market and industry resourcesExposure to potential investors and funding opportunities
Method of Application
Review the Eligibility Criteria: Before applying, make sure your venture meets the eligibility criteria outlined above. Begin the Application: Click the ‘apply button’ to fill in the application form.Submit Your Application: Complete your application in less than an hour and submit!
For More Information,
Visit the Official Webpage
Application Deadline: June 23, 2024.
