A challenge fund is a competition for funding where applicants put forward proposals that align with the objectives of the challenge fund, in this case creating employment opportunities for refugees and host communities. Those applications that best fit the objectives of the fund are supported through grants.

Challenge funds make use of a two-stage application process with a short concept note as the first stage in the application process. Concepts are then shortlisted and applicants whose concepts have been shortlisted are asked to complete more detailed full applications. The ensures that applicants can see if their concepts fit the objectives of the fund before more detailed information is requested. It should be noted that having your concept shortlisted does not guarantee that your project will be funded.

The fund is divided into three separate funding windows in order to reach refugees and host communities through different routes, and to group similar types of applicants together in the competition for funding. The competition for funding is effectively divided into three competitions for funding, which allows for more effective comparison between competing applications for support.

Windows 1 and 2 target existing businesses that have the capacity and interest to create jobs for refugees and host communities.

Window 3 targets incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurship centers that support refuges and host communities to establish businesses and support start-ups. The Ethiopia Jobs Challenge Fund can only contract with established legal entities. As such support to aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups that are not yet properly registered needs to be provided by incubators, accelerators, and entrepreneurship centers that can help aspiring entrepreneurs establish their businesses.

For windows 1 and 2 that are currently open to applicants, you must be a registered business to apply. See the detailed eligibility criteria for window 1 and window 2. It should be noted that for window 2, that provides grants in the range 1,000,000 BIRR to 12,000,000 BIRR, the size of grant you apply for should not be larger than your total annual sales or annual turnover.

The detailed eligibility criteria for window 3 will be published when window 3 is launched in the second quarter of 2024.

In order to apply for funding you must complete the concept note form for the funding window you applying for. Window and Window 2 are currently open to applicants and there are separate concept note forms for each funding window.

You must download the relevant concept note form, answer all the questions on the form, and then upload the completed form before the deadline of 6:00pm (12:00 in the evening local time) on February 25, 2024 . Concept notes received after the deadline of 6:00pm (12:00 in the evening local time) on February 25, 2024 will be rejected.

Registering your interest in the fund is encouraged so that we are aware of the level of interest in Windows 1 and 2 leading up to the application deadline on February 25, 2024. Registering interest includes providing your contact details so we can then contact you with any updates leading up to the concept note deadline on February 25, 2024. All updates will also be included on the Ethiopia Jobs Challenge Fund website so if you do not register your interest you can still visit the website to get the most up to date information.

No. You can submit your concept note without registering interest in the fund. However we encourage potential applicants to register interest for the reasons set out above.

We are planning to hold a webinar in January 2024 before the deadline for windows 1 and 2 on February 25, 2024. If you register interest you will be informed of the details of this webinar. We will also publish information on the Ethiopia Jobs Challenge Fund website so if you do not register your interest you will still be able to get the details of the webinar from the website. The webinar will provide an opportunity to hear more about the fund and the application process.

We will inform all applicants for both windows 1 and 2 on March 29, 2024 as to the outcome of their concept note submissions. Shortlisted applicants will be provided with relevant information and guidance to move to the second stage in the application process. Timelines will be confirmed to shortlisted applicants with 6-8 weeks provided to complete full applications and funding decisions announced in June 2024.

We expect to run further funding rounds for windows 1 and 2 with opportunities to apply in 2025 and 2026 depending on the success of this first funding round.

Yes. Applicants that are unsuccessful can apply again if there are further funding rounds. However, applicants should evolve their concepts or propose different concepts in order to be more competitive if they reapply in further funding rounds.

You can only submit one concept note in an application round. If you submit several concept notes or submit one concept multiple times we will only assess the concept note submitted last. So if you submit a concept note before the deadline of February 25, 2024 but want to adjust your concept, you can make the adjustments and resubmit and we will assess the most recent submission.

We expect to launch window 3 the second quarter of 2024. Further announcements will be made on the Ethiopia Jobs Challenge Fund website.

On the left of this page there is a box where you can ask additional questions. In order to maintain fairness and transparency in the Challenge Fund, answers to additional questions will be published on this website so that all potential applicants can see the questions and the answers. If you have a question that is very specific to your business you can raise this question with us, and the question and answer that we publish will be ‘generalised’ so that we do not reveal any sensitive or confidential information about your business that may be included in your question.

At the concept note stage we will respond to questions in this way and publish additional questions and answers on the website periodically leading up to the concept note deadline of February 25, 2024. We will not enter into direct discussions with potential applicants at the concept note stage.

Once concepts are shortlisted we will be in direct contact with applicants and will provide more detailed guidance and support to applicants as they develop their full applications.

No, a government vocational training institution may not apply for Window II. Note should be taken that Window I and II applicants have to be business enterprises to comply with the specified eligibility criteria.

Yes, valid Trade license is a minimum eligibility criterion to apply for the CF. Businesses which are in operation but don't have license for various reasons and will not secure them during the application process to the CF will not be eligible for funding. We hope there will be further rounds of funding and business that do not yet have license in place now but will secure them in the future can apply in the hoped for coming rounds of the CF. These will be posted on this website.

Business name is simply how your currently ongoing business is known in the market and its main delivery to its end users or customers. For instance, XYZ wood and Metal work, ABC food products retail Shop, XXX Men Barbery, YYY delivery service etc.

No, NGOs and faith-based organizations cannot apply directly to the Jobs Challenge Fund for a Window 1 or 2 grant. Applications to the Fund under Window 1 and 2 must be led by a registered company, but NGOs and faith-based organizations may be part of a registered company-led application. For example, a company may need assistance from an NGO or faith-based organization to train refugees in specific areas, such as hospitality. In such circumstances, the company must apply to the Jobs Challenge Fund and, as part of its application, should include the relevant costs of the NGO or faith-based organization with which it plans to work.

No, individuals cannot apply for funding only business can apply. But if the person who heads an NGO has registered his or her own business such a business can apply.

Yes. All interested parties are encouraged to register their interest in the Fund, including applicants who have not yet completed the registration process for their business, interested individuals, and NGOs and faith-based organizations. However, to be eligible for support, applicants must be a business and have the appropriate licenses. Applicants may submit concept notes while the business registration process is being completed, but the business must be properly incorporated to receive a grant. In terms of the timeline for current Window 1 and 2 applications, applicants must be able to demonstrate that their company is properly registered by the application date.

Please follow the instructions for downloading and uploading the concept note forms in each window. The Steps are:

1st) download concept form for either window 1 or window 2 (based on your choice)

2nd) Save with file name in your desktop/laptop/tablet,

3rd) Fill and complete the concept note; make sure all updates are saved. Look at the guidance on the website and on the form itself as you complete the concept note form.

4th) Once you have completed the form and are ready to submit, gGo to the tvetcf.org website and click the upload icon either window 1 or window 2 (based on your choice)

5th) upon completing data such as name, email etc… click “choose file” under the title “registration form” where you have to select the file with your completed concept note.

6th) Once linked, make sure the name of the attached file which is the right one appears in the box “choose file.”

7th) Then click the “submit” icon which automatically sends the file to the system.

Finally, if the whole uploading process is successful, it appears the following message on the window ;

“Submission is successful”

“Concept note has been submitted.”

Please note that the downloadable application form has a guideline at the end of the page which can provide you with explanations on terminologies and quick support on how to complete each question of the form.

The website also has a FAQ page so that you can refer to them and clear out any of your doubts when you apply for the challenge fund. If you still feel there are more questions to raise, ask your question by completing the box on the website where additional questions can be raised, send and the reply will be posted on the FAQ as soon as possible.

In addition, we will organize a webinar or zoom virtual meeting soon which will address many of your questions including explanations on how to fill the concept note.

Questions in the concept note forms of window 1 and window 2 have corresponding blank spaces designed to automatically limit when it reaches the maximum allowed number of words.

This challenge fund Aim to create jobs for refugees and host communities, and is designed for businesses which are in operation substantiated by presenting valid trade licenses. This challenge fund will have a number of calls in the future and stay tuned by checking all updates on the website as long as you have plan to meet the eligibility requirements mainly possesing trade license.

Upon completing the two stage selection process, we will announce winning grantees and the number of winners are determined by the good quality and well-targeted concept note design and plan for implementation.

Please note the minimum eligibility criteria to apply for the Challenge fund competition.

Yes you are only expected to fill the table on the form based on your choice either window 1 or window 2. The next step if your concept note is shortlisted please refer on the FAQ page of the website under the title “Questions on the overall fund” subtitled as number 8 which explains “ what are the next steps if my concept note is shortlisted”

Yes: as long as you would be able to submit a separate concept note related to each entity as well as meet the CF eligibility criteria, mainly each concept note would be able to demonstrate how the proposed project will benefit refugees and host communities.