FRICH update:

Applications for the first round have now been received. The fund is now open for the second round. Project Concept Notes should be submitted by 28^th February 2009.

 

Who can apply?

FRICH is a competitive Challenge Fund that will make grants of up to £250,000 to innovative projects that test new business models to increase trade with the UK in food products from Africa (with the exception of South Africa, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya or Egypt). 

FRICH seeks applications from all stakeholders (and partnerships among them) that are involved in the UK food retail sector and that are engaged with African agriculture. These include UK supermarkets, food retail brands, multinational food processing companies, importers and distributors of African food products, ethical trade organisations and producer and farmer associations. 

Bids must be led by a private sector enterprise that is either a food retailer or food retail brand with a share of the UK market, or is working with such an enterprise in partnership to implement the project. All bids should involve a UK retailer or retail brand even if they are not leading the bid. The organisations in the bid must be able to demonstrate their capacity and financial wherewithal and must also be able to contribute a minimum of 50 per cent of project costs.

To submit a project concept note, interested bidders should register with the FRICH management team who will provide the project concept note format and guidelines. Please contact Kerry Hamilton.

The two-stage application process:

Stage one: applicants must submit a Project Concept Note. This is a short outline of the project proposed showing how it will meet the challenge, what constraints will be addressed, the essence of the innovation and the organisations and beneficiaries to be involved. The Concept Notes will be reviewed by the independent FRICH Advisory Committee and successful applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

Stage two: Full proposals for funding, that provide a detailed description of the proposed project, its implementation arrangements, what financing is being sought and the contribution that will be provided by implementing companies and partners will be submitted. The FRICH Advisory Committee will then award performance grants to successful projects. The lead partners will then be contracted and the projects implemented.

Timeline – Second round

28 February 2009 – deadline for submission of Round Two concept notes

End March 2009 – Advisory Committee review

End March 2009 – call for proposals for successful applicants.

Spring/Summer 2009 – rolling review and evaluation of full proposals once received.