Guidelines for Applicants

regarding
the Call for Proposals with emphasis on Social
Protection by the
Facility Investing for Employment (IFE)
This document is intended to help applicants by providing detailed information on the conditions,
timelines and procedures applicable to the below mentioned Call for Proposals of the Facility
Investing for Employment (IFE).
Please read these Guidelines for Applicants in their entirety before registering with the online
application system SmartME to start your application process.

Countries: Ghana, Morocco, Rwanda and Senegal

Start date of the Call for Proposal:
o 27th January 2025
Submission Dates for Concept Notes (CN):
o for early submissions: 28th of February 2025
o for all other submissions: 15th April 2025
Sectors: open to all sectors
Questions:
o Questions can be submitted until 7th April 2025 to: [email protected]
o General information sessions (Webinars) will be held to interested applicant. Specific
information on the dates of the webinars can be found on the Call for proposal website:
https://invest-for-jobs.com/en/news/calls-for-proposals-job-creation-and-social-
protection
o During the Concept Note submission period individual counselling sessions are offered
to provide guidance on general eligibility criteria as well as on the compulsory job creation
component and the optional social protection component (please see chapter 5.1 for
contact details).
Timelines:

Stage Period

Submission Period for Concept Notes 27th January to 15th April 2025
1st evaluation period for Concept Notes submitted
until 28th February 2025:
Evaluation Period for Concept Notes • 1st March to 30th April (tentative)
2nd evaluation period for all other Concept Notes:
• 16th April to 16th June 2025 (tentative)
Submission Period for Full Project Proposal For shortlisted projects out of the 1st evaluation:
(shortlisted candidates only) • 1st May to 23rd June 2025 (tentative)
Stage Period

For all other shortlisted projects:

• 17th June to 7th August 2025 (tentative)
25th June to 31st October 2025 (tentative) for
proposals of the 1st evaluation round
Due Diligence of submitted Full Project Proposals
8th August to 31st December 2025 (tentative) for
all other proposals

PLEASE NOTE:
• The above-mentioned timelines are only indicative.
• The duration of the Due Diligence may differ significantly from project to project, depending
on the quality of the Full Project Proposals submitted.
• IFE reserves the right to reject Concept Notes or Full Project Proposals at its own discretion
in case the quality or completeness of the proposal is assessed as insufficient.
Abbreviations:

BMZ German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

CN Concept Note
CSO Civil Society Organisation
DD Due Diligence
EBITDA Earnings before Income Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation
EFTA European Free Trade Association
ESMS Environmental and Social Management System
EU European Union
FPP Full Project Proposal
IFC International Finance Corporation
IFE Facility Investment for Employment
ILO International Labour Organisation
IRR Internal Rate of Return
KfW Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW Development Bank)
KPI Key Performance Indicator
KYC Know-Your-Customer
LoI Letter of Intent
NGO Non-Governmental Organisation
OHS Occupational Health and Safety
SI Special Initiative
SPV Special Purpose Vehicle
VAT Value Added Tax
VET Vocational Educational and Training
Contents
Ba c kg roun d and IF E Pu rpo s e ................................................................... 1
1. S ect ion G en er a l El ig i bil ity C r it er ia .................................................. 2
1. 1 G e ner a l E l i gi b i l ity C o n d it i ons f or A p p lic a nts .................................... 3
2. S ect ion Job C re at ion Co mpon ent .................................................... 5
2. 1 G e ner a l pr oj ec t e l ig i b i l ity c o n d it i ons ............................................... 6
2. 2 Pr oj ec t Ca t eg or i es ......................................................................... 7
2. 3 E l ig i b i li ty c r i te r i a f or n ew g o od j o bs ................................................ 9
2. 4 G r a nt Siz e , O wn C o ntr i bu t io ns a nd E l ig i b le E x pe n d it ur es ................ 10
2.4.1 Grant size ................................................................................................................ 10
2.4.2 Own contribution requirement ................................................................................. 10
2.4.3 Eligible Expenditures ............................................................................................... 11
3. S ect ion So ci al P rot e ct i on Com pon ent ........................................... 14
3. 1 K ey c on d it i o ns : ............................................................................ 15
3. 2 G r a nt Siz e f or s oc i al p r ot ec t i o n m eas ur es ..................................... 16
3. 3 O wn c on tr ib u ti o n r e qu i r e me nt ....................................................... 17
3. 4 E l ig i b le Ex p e n di t ur es : .................................................................. 17
4. S ect ion A ppl ic at ion a nd P roj e ct S el e cti on P ro ce du re .................... 19
4. 1 A pp l ic at i on an d Pr oj ec t S el ec ti o n Pr oc ed ur e .................................. 20
4. 2 S ub m is s io n Pr oc e dur e ................................................................. 20
4. 3 Co nc ep t No t e As s es s me n t Pr oc e d ur e an d C rit er i a .......................... 20
4. 4 Ra nk in g a n d S ho r t l is t ................................................................... 26
4. 5 Fu l l Pr oj ec t Pr o pos a l ................................................................... 26
4. 6 Du e D i li g enc e / F ul l Pr oj ec t Pr o pos a l Ev a lu a t i on ............................ 27
4. 7 Co ntr ac ti n g ................................................................................. 28
4. 8 Dis b ur s em e nt /I m pl e m en t at i on ....................................................... 28
5. S ect ion G en er a l Inf o r mat ion a nd Con dit ion s ................................. 29
5. 1 S up p or t t o Pr oj ec t Pr e par a ti o n a nd I m p le m e nt at i o n ........................ 30
5. 2 Re p or t i ng O b li g at i ons .................................................................. 31
5. 3 Tax a nd c os t ov er r u ns .................................................................. 32
5. 4 Pr oc ur e m en t ............................................................................... 32
5. 5 Ca nc el l at i o n of C a l l fo r P ro p os a ls ................................................. 32
5. 6 Dis c l a i mer o n gr a nt a war d d ec is io ns ............................................. 32
5. 7 A pp l ic ab i l ity of E U S t a te Ai d L aws ................................................ 32
5. 8 Us e o f d at a ................................................................................. 33
Annex 1: List of Key Performance Indicators ......................................................................... 34
Annex 2: Declaration of Undertaking ...................................................................................... 37
Annex 3: Declaration of Commitment ..................................................................................... 40
Annex 4: Declaration of Collaboration and Power of Attorney ............................................... 41
Annex 5: Letter of Intent for Third Party Job Creation ............................................................ 43
Annex 6 Eligibility Conditions and Lists of Required Documents .......................................... 46
Annex 7 Know Your Customer Documentation ..................................................................... 57
Annex 8 Bonus Points ........................................................................................................... 58
Annex 9 Minimum Wages ...................................................................................................... 63
Background and IFE Purpose
Africa needs about 20 million new jobs per year in order to provide its young population with
prospects for the future. With its Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition", the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has set itself the
goal of supporting German, European and African businesses and investors engaging in Africa.
The Special Initiative aims at (i) creating decent jobs, improving income and working conditions
and social protection; (ii) creating possibilities for training and further education; and (iii)
increasing private investment. For more information regarding the Special Initiative and its range
of activities, please visit https://invest-for-jobs.com/en.
The Facility Investing for Employment (IFE) - an integral part of the Special Initiative "Decent
Work for a Just Transition" - was created by KfW Development Bank (KfW) on behalf of the
German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Please visit https://invest-for-jobs.com/en/investing-for-employment for more information on IFE.

The main purpose of the Facility is job creation in the private sector and by
this enhancing improved social protection.
Grant funding is therefore available only for projects which will create new jobs in
the private sector!
Preference is given to projects, which combine job creation with
improvement of social protection aspects of employees, their families or
third parties!
While the primary goal of the Facility is the creation of new jobs, various aspects are taken into
account in the selection of projects (see section 4 for details):
• Number of new good jobs and cost per job (KPI 1) 1;
• Number of existing employees who benefit from improved working conditions, social
protection or income (KPI 2);
• Number of people, participating in higher education or short-term job-related trainings
(KPI 3);
• Bonus criteria for number of jobs for women and youth, contribution to feminist
development and just transition, synergies with other projects of the Special Initiative;
• Bonus criteria related to social protection measures;
• Number of people, who benefit from additional social protection measures co-financed by
IFE.
Therefore, projects which first demonstrate sufficient job-creation potential may receive additional
points in the evaluation process or even additional financial support for the implementation of
social protection measures. Please see section 4 for further information on evaluation criteria and
the ranking procedure of eligible applications.

1 See definition and conditions for Key Performance Indicators (KPI) in Annex 1
1
 1. Section
General Eligibility Criteria

(must be fulfilled by all applicants)

2
1.1 General Eligibility Conditions for Applicants
Applicants can be any entity with a proper legal body. The Call for Proposal is open for
applicants applying either as an Individual entity or in a Consortium of several entities.
The following table provides a summary of conditions, which must be met by all Applicants
(Individual or Consortium members) in order for a project proposal to receive funding. Please
review carefully the requirements and the required supporting documentation. If any of the
Applicants do not meet the below criteria, please do not apply.
For a full list of documentation required at each stage of the IFE application process,
please refer to Annex 6.

Topic Description of Key Conditions

• Applicant must be a separate legal entity duly registered in the
concerned country, in Africa or EU/EFTA.
• Applicant or at least one member in case of a consortium must
be duly registered and operating in the concerned Country for
the Call for Proposals.
• All applicants (Individual or Lead Applicant and Consortium
Registration and members) must have been operating for a minimum of 3 years.
Years of Operation Exception:
Exception: In case of a recently registered entity in the country
of call, which is an investee of an individual applicant or any of
the consortium members (e.g. subsidiary, joint venture, Special
Purpose Vehicle-SPV), then the respective shareholders of this
entity must have been operating for a minimum of 3 years at the
time of CN submission
Private sector applicants:
• Average yearly turnover must be greater than or equal to 50% of
requested grant for the job creation component.
• Debt-equity ratio less than or equal to 4.0 (in last financial year),
• Positive EBITDA in at least 2 out of past 3 years.
Public sector applicants, Civil Society or Non-Governmental
Financial Capacity
Organisations:
• Average yearly budget must be greater than or equal to 25% of
requested grant for the job creation component.
• Evidence of availability of the required own contribution.
• Confirmation of financial capability to cover potential deficits
during the operational phase of the project.
• Applicants are not engaged in activities that feature on KfW
Exclusion List2.
• Applicants (individual or lead entity and consortium partners)
must disclose linkages to any parent and sister/related
companies – if applicable
Compliance
• Applicants (individual or lead entity and consortium partners)
must disclose the names of shareholders / board of directors /
owners up to the level of ultimate beneficial owners, or (in the
case of entities without shareholders) the main sources of their
annual budget or capital endowment.

2 https://www.kfw.de/PDF/Download-Center/Konzernthemen/Nachhaltigkeit/Ausschlussliste_EN.pdf
3
Topic Description of Key Conditions
• Applicants must confirm that they fulfil all conditions laid out in
the Declaration of Undertaking (see Annex 2) and Declaration of
Commitment (see Annex 3).

• Applicants must demonstrate the technical capacity to undertake

and implement the project at hand. This means having a suitable
Technical capacity
experience in the concerned sector and offering capable
personnel to implement the project.

PLEASE NOTE:
• The fulfilment of these eligibility conditions will be verified during the assessment procedure.
• All applications, which fail to submit any of the indicated required documentation, will be
rejected.

4
 2. Section
Job Creation Component

(compulsory)

5
2.1 General project eligibility conditions
The following table provides an overview of the key conditions, the job creation component of the
proposed project must fulfil to be eligible. Please review each requirement carefully and ensure
that you can provide sufficient supporting documentation to prove their fulfilment. If the proposed
project does not meet any of these criteria, please do not apply.
For a full list of all documentation required at each stage of the IFE application process,
please refer to Annex 6.

Topic Description of Key Conditions

• All projects co-financed by IFE must take place entirely in the

country/ies of the Call for Proposals.
Project Location
• The job creation impact of the project must also take place in the
country/ies of the Call for Proposals.
• Projects must demonstrate an advanced level of maturity (e.g.
availability of (pre)feasibility studies, bills of quantities / price
quotes / secured funding of own cash or in-kind contribution etc.)
Project Maturity and (see Annex 6 for details)
Investment Phase • Investment can be started within a maximum period of 12 months
Timeframe after signing the Grant Agreement;
• The investment phase of a project may not exceed 24 months;
• Total time from the date of effectiveness of the grant agreement
until the end of the investment phase cannot exceed 30 months.
• Evidence that the financial contribution from IFE is essential for
the implementation of the project, i.e. proof that the project would
not be implemented without the IFE grant.
Additionality
• The applicant must demonstrate that all reasonable finance
sources have been explored, but a funding gap remains.
Please refer to Annex 6 for details.
• The proposed project should not cause significant negative
market distortions or lead to market dominance/monopoly for the
Market distortion
applicant.
Please refer to Annex 6 for details
• The project does not fall into Environmental and Social Category
A (high risk of having diverse significant adverse impacts and risks
on the environment or the social conditions of the affected
population).
• The project does not feature measures, which are on the IFC
Exclusion List as adapted by KfW. (see
https://www.kfw.de/PDF/Download-
Center/Konzernthemen/Nachhaltigkeit/Ausschlussliste_EN.pdf)
Compliance • The project does not feature construction of a wider natural gas
grid or pipeline.
• Projects, which include the construction of a gas grid within an
industrial zone, are only eligible under the following conditions
o It must be convincingly demonstrated that there are no
alternative options to ensure a supply via renewable
energies.
o If legally possible, it must be demonstrated that aspects
relating to energy supply from renewable energy sources

6
Topic Description of Key Conditions

will be taken into account in the allocation of lots to

companies.
o The gas network to be created should be H2-ready.
o The costs for the gas network and connections must be
financed by the applicant.
• Projects in the automotive / mobility sector or which benefit
entities active in this sector, must demonstrate that the project
contributes to achieving the Paris Declaration towards
greenhouse gas neutrality. (see for further details:
https://www.kfw.de/nachhaltigkeit/About-
KfW/Sustainability/Strategie-Management/Sustainable-
Finance/Sector-guidelines/)

PLEASE NOTE:
• The fulfilment of these eligibility conditions will be verified during the assessment procedure.
• All applications, which fail to submit any of the indicated requirements, will be rejected.

2.2 Project Categories

The proposed investment project, which will lead to job creation, must fall within one of IFE’s four
categories. It is the responsibility of the applicant to correctly identify the project category which
applies to the proposed project.

PLEASE NOTE:
• Applicants should pay special attention to the project category they choose to apply for.
• IFE reserves the right to re-categorise the project (with a corresponding impact on the
own contribution expected from the applicant) if it disagrees with the categorisation
proposed by the applicant.
• In the event that the applicant refuses the re-categorisation, IFE reserves the right to
reject the application.

The following table provides an overview of the project categories and features:

7
 Not-for-Profit Projects For-Profit Projects
For both categories it must be proved that
• the project’s paramount objective is for common benefit
• all assets co-financed by the IFE will belong irrevocable to a non-
profit entity and that
• potential revenues / profits generated by the project will not be
distributed to private entities or persons!
Categories
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4

Not-for-profit projects
Not-for-profit projects
(with revenue generation by the For-profit projects (majority of
(no revenue generation neither by the For-profit projects (majority of jobs will be
lead applicant’s entities and/or by jobs will be created at the
lead applicant’s entities nor by the created at independent 3rd party entities)
applicant’s entity/ies)
the consortium members - if
consortium members - if applicable)
applicable)
National ministries and public investment agencies; Professional Associations
Eligible
(industry, commerce, agriculture); Organisations managing industrial zones; Private commercial companies
Applicants
NGOs; infrastructure service providers; Private commercial companies
• Job creation either within the
applicant entity (in case the
• Projects creating jobs within the applicant’s • Projects creating jobs
• Projects enabling job creation in the applicant is a private entities primarily at the applicant’s
Project private sector (Letters of Intent - LoI commercial entity) and/or
and entities
description have to be provided) within private 3rd party entities
• majority of jobs within 3rd party entities • LoIs must be provided for
• Projects do not generate revenues (LoIs have to be provided)
(LoIs must be provided) jobs at 3rd entities
• Projects generate revenues,
but no distribution of profits
• Up to 25% of the total
• Up to 90% of the total eligible • Up to 75% of the total eligible • Up to 35% of the total eligible investment
IFE grant eligible investment cost of
investment cost of the project investment cost of the project cost of the project
the project

• Energy generation / • Construction of a factory to build a new

medical device and Third-Party entities
• Construction of a toll-free road for transmission facilities to supply • Expansion of an existing
an industrial zone hire additional sale teams to market and
an industrial zone processing facility
Examples sell the device
• Training projects (without tuition • Equipping accelerator centres • Investment in an upstream
• Construction of a food processing plant
fees) • Vocational Training centres and a Third-Party entity hires new staff to
or downstream project
(with tuition fees) produce inputs to the plant

8
2.3 Eligibility criteria for new good jobs
Every application must convincingly describe and substantiate how the project will create new
good jobs in the private sector as a direct result of the IFE funding.
Jobs can be counted if they are created either at the Applicant entity/ies (including consortium
partners and sister / related companies) and/or if they are created at Third Parties. Further, jobs
must fulfil certain conditions (see below). Only jobs created in the private sector will be
considered.

Only new jobs can be counted which fulfil the following conditions:
o Fulfilment of a minimum employment duration (20 hours/week
over 26 weeks within a year or at least 520 working hours/year)
o Salary at least equal to the national minimum wage or as
determined by the Special Initiative (see Annex 9).
o Compliance with the International Labour Organisation (ILO)
core and basic labour standards (no child or forced labour,
Job Conditions prohibition of discrimination in employment and occupation,
freedom of association and right to collective bargaining,
occupational health and safety).
o Compliance with the prevailing national mandatory minimum
requirements regarding social protection.
o For self-entrepreneurs, demonstration of possibility to access
state or private social protection systems and plausibility of
their financial viability.
o Jobs created at the Applicant’s or related entities (consortium
partners, parent or sister companies / subsidiaries etc.) can
Jobs created at the
only be counted if these jobs would not have been created
Applicant entity
without the IFE grant. This needs to be demonstrated in the
application.
In case the new jobs are to be created at Third Parties, these jobs
can only be counted if:
o the Third Party is not related to any of the applicant’s entity/ies;
Jobs created at Third o the Third Party commits via a Letter of Intent to create new
Party entities good jobs;
o the Third party confirms that the job creation is a direct result
of the IFE grant (i.e., the Third Party would not have created
these new good jobs without the IFE-supported project).

PLEASE NOTE:
• Jobs created in the public sector are not accepted by IFE (except governmental owned
enterprises with a legal personality and a commercial purpose).
• The indicated number of new jobs will be verified during the application process.
• Jobs created through indirect effects of the project (e.g. through an improvement in
social and economic conditions), are not eligible and cannot be counted.
• Successful applicants are obliged to monitor and provide evidence for the jobs created,
both at own and – if applicable - at 3rd party entities.

9
 • IFE reserves the right to reject applications which have overestimated the job creation
potential of their project.

2.4 Grant Size, Own Contributions and Eligible

Expenditures
2.4.1 Grant size

IFE offers grants for the job creation component between

• 650.000 and 10 Mio. EUR / project, applicable to all countries of the Call for Proposal
The specific grant size is subject to the specific project category:

Own
Category Description Grant size
contribution
Not-for-profit projects
Category 1 max. 90% min. 10%
(no revenue generation)
Not-for-profit projects
Category 2 max. 75% min. 25%
(with revenue generation)

For-profit projects with job creation

Category 3 max. 35% min. 65%
impact mainly at 3rd party entities

For-profit projects with job creation

Category 4 max. 25% min. 75%
impact mainly at applicant’s entity

PLEASE NOTE:
• For private applicants: Requested grant size cannot exceed 200% of the average turnover
of the applicant in the past 3 years.
• For public applicants, Civil Society and Non-Governmental Organisations: Requested grant
size cannot exceed 400% of the applicant’s average budget in the past 3 years.
• Grants are in addition to the applicant’s own financial contribution (both cash and in-kind).
• Grants are regarded as partial financing, are based on financial shortfalls only and cannot
exceed the above-mentioned thresholds. Applicants must demonstrate their inability to
cover the requested grant amount (see Annex 6 for further details).
• A sum equal to 5% of the grant amount will be withheld by IFE until completion of the
investment (not considering defects liability period) to secure finalisation of the project.
• Any cost overruns during the application or investment period will have to be covered fully
by the applicant.

2.4.2 Own contribution requirement

An applicant (individual entity or consortium) must provide own financial contributions towards the
overall project investment costs. The minimum percentage of own contribution required is defined
based on the respective project category (see above).
The applicant’s required contribution can be in either cash or a mix of cash or in-kind towards the
overall project budget. The cash-contribution must be at least 15% of the overall own contribution.

10
 Contribution Description
o Must be in EUR (or listed in EUR equivalent)
o Can stem from own funds, loans, and/or other
Cash contributions types of financial support, such as equity
o Documentary evidence for cash contributions or grants from third parties
contributions (signed loan o To be exclusively used for Eligible
(pre)agreements and/or equity Expenditures (see below)
provision, bank statements, etc.). o At least 15% of the Own Contribution must be
in cash
o Value and size of owned land necessary for
In-kind contributions the project (value of lease contract is only
o Actual value of existing eligible in case of emphyteutic agreements in
constructions, land, equipment or countries where there is no private property)
already implemented measures, o Actual value of existing constructions,
which are necessary for the equipment or similar necessary for the
foreseen Investment project (value envisaged project.
must be certified by an independent o Value of preparatory studies or other
expert) measures already implemented for the
planning of the project.

PLEASE NOTE:
The applicant must provide
• A full breakdown of the planned own contribution in its application including identifying the
amount and source of each contribution.
• Documentation of account balances for cash contributions and confirmation at signing of
the IFE grant contracts.
• If applicable: Signed loan agreements and / or Term Sheets from financial institutions /
equity providers pertaining to the availability of debt and/ or equity financing.
• For in-kind contributions, the need for the envisaged project must be proved.
In case the in-kind contribution is only partially necessary or used for the envisaged project,
only a pro-rata percentage can be considered.
• Independent, certified valuations of the actual resale market value of in-kind contributions
of land, constructions and equipment.

2.4.3 Eligible Expenditures

IFE grants can be used to co-finance expenditures only during the investment phase of the job
creation component. All other expenditures or any costs occurring during the operational phase
are not eligible and thus will not be considered in establishing the required applicant’s financial
contribution.
Eligible for Eligible to be (co-)
Type of expenditure
investment plan financed by IFE
o Purchase or acquisition of equipment, machinery
or other capital goods required for the realization yes yes
of the project
o Transport costs, import duties, tariffs and other
necessary side costs linked to purchases or
yes no
acquisition of equipment, machinery or other
capital goods

11
 Eligible for Eligible to be (co-)
Type of expenditure
investment plan financed by IFE
o Materials and external labour for the
construction of premises required for the yes yes
execution of the project.
o External training, advisory or other technical
services (e.g. architectural/technical designs,
yes yes
E+S studies etc.) required for the project during
the preparatory and investment phase
o Permits, licenses, operating software for the
acquired assets and necessary for their operation
yes yes
(general business management systems like
ERP and similar are NOT eligible)
No
(if VAT has to be
financed, the related
amounts should be
o Value added tax (VAT)i no
listed under
necessary, but
ineligible investment
costs)
o Acquisition of vehicles which are allowed to be
no no
privately used by managers or staff
yes, but limited to a
max. of 7,5% of the
total eligible
investment costs yes, but limited to a
o Working capital required for a maximum of the (if higher costs are max. of 7,5% of the
initial 3 months of the operating period necessary, these total eligible
should be listed under investment costs
necessary, but
ineligible investment
costs)
o Value of acquired land, pro-rated to the area for
the exclusive purpose of the project, or of
yes no
mandatory one-off down payments effected for
lease contracts
yes, but only under
o Costs for the construction of natural gas grids or
conditions (see no
connections to gas grids
chapter 2.1)
no
(exception are
emphyteutic land
o Value of lease contracts for equipment or land no
lease agreements in
countries where there
is no private property)
no,
o Ancillary costs such as loan signing fees, notary (these costs should be
fees, land broker fees, penalties for late listed under
no
payments, interests for loan commitments, necessary, but
account fees, bank transaction fees etc- ineligible investment
costs)
o Current costs related to renting or leasing land or
equipment required for the execution of the no no
project

12
 Eligible for Eligible to be (co-)
Type of expenditure
investment plan financed by IFE
o Personal or corporate income taxes at the level of
no no
the applicant entities or their owners
o Costs of acquiring intangible goods (such as
no no
patent, brand, trademark, or copyright);
o Taxes or duties arising outside the project
no no
country
o Costs for internal personnel assigned to carry
no no
out preparatory or investment activities.
o Normal recurring costs (such as staff salaries,
no no
office rental or maintenance of equipment).
o All types of costs and expenses incurred beyond
no no
the investment phase of a project.

PLEASE NOTE:
• IFE reserves the right to re-assess the value of the in-kind contribution and – if necessary
– to adjust the funding plan and grant size accordingly.
• Including non-eligible costs in the funding plan may result in the disqualification of the
project proposal.
• Working capital relates only to raw supplies and consumables needed for the project’s
production process, but not to expenses such as salaries, electricity, rent etc.

13
 3. Section
Social Protection Component

(optional)

14
In addition to the creation of new formal good jobs, IFE aims to support national efforts to improve
the social protection of existing and new employees, their families, disadvantaged groups and
people, who have a (semi-)formal business relationship with the applicant(s) such as independent
sale agents, drivers or similar. Applicants, who will implement measures significantly above the
national mandatory minimum requirements, can benefit from:
• Bonus points for the formalisation of jobs or for social protection measures for new jobs
(KPI 1) above the mandatory minimum requirements, which are already or will be
implemented3 by the applicant and its consortium partners.
• Financial support for additional new social protection measures above the mandatory
minimum requirements, to boost both one-off and/or ongoing social protection expenses.

3.1 Key conditions:

The following table provides an overview of the key conditions, the social protection component
of the proposed project must fulfil to be eligible.

Topic Description of Key Conditions

For the recognition of social protection measures, the following

conditions must be fulfilled:
• Applicants must have fulfilled all general eligibility conditions (see
General conditions
section 1)
• Applicants must have an eligible job creation component (see
section 2)

• All projects co-financed by IFE must take place entirely in the

country/ies of the Call for Proposals.
Project Location
• The social protection component of the project must also take
place in the country/ies of the Call for Proposals.

The following measures or a combination of these are eligible:

• Contributions to improved social protection of existing and new
employees such as additional or new health, unemployment,
accident insurances, pension schemes etc.
• Contributions to improved social protection of people not formally
employed by the applicant or its consortium partners, but with a
business relationship with these entities (e.g. independent sale
agents, truck drivers, seasonal workers etc.).
• Transformation of existent informal schemes (e.g. company
Eligible social
internal social funds) into formalised social protection product
protection measures
with a regulated provider.
and costs
• Investment costs for other social protection measures such as
construction and equipment costs for the establishment of a
Kindergarten, IT platforms for the registration and placement
(with access to social protection schemes) of informal workers,
health care centre, conversion of workplaces with the aim of
making them more accessible for persons with disabilities.
Please note that operational costs such as salaries, office rental or
maintenance of equipment or other recurrent costs are not eligible for
co-financing!

3 Note that eligible measures include both already established offerings or newly introduced offerings as long as they are available
to new employees (KPI 1).

15
Topic Description of Key Conditions

Beneficiaries can include the following persons:

• Existing or new employees (the latter resulting from the job
creation component)
Beneficiaries • Family members of existing or new employees
• Persons who have a business relationship with the applicant, but
are not formally employed
Please note that people working in the public sector are not eligible!
• Social protection measure above the mandatory minimum
requirements, which are already implemented by the applicant,
will receive bonus points, but are not eligible for financial support.
• Applicants have to prove that
o the measures are going beyond the national mandatory
minimum requirements,
o the measures will continue beyond the co-financing
Other Conditions
period (proof of sustainability),
o the measures are open to all employees of the applicant
or of the envisaged specific target group.
• Applicants commit to monitor and to report quarterly on the social
protection measures.
• Co-financing for insurance products, pension schemes or similar
will only be granted ex-post, hence upon presentation of proofs.

3.2 Grant Size for social protection measures

IFE offers co-financing to applicants only for additional social protection measures, which go
beyond the mandatory minimum requirements. The following conditions apply:

• The maximum total grant for the social protection component cannot exceed 70% of the
grant for the job creation component, accepted by IFE.
• The grant size is independent from the project category of the job creation component.
• Costs for social protection measures can be co-financed:
o up to 30% for insurance products / pension schemes etc., which are co-financed
by the applicant(s) and the final beneficiaries (i.e. employees or other persons
with business relationship to the applicant, but not formally employed); IFE co-
financing must equally benefit employer and beneficiary according to their
financing share.
o up to 50% for insurance products / pension schemes etc. financed by the
applicant(s) only;
o up to 75% of the investment costs of any one-off social protection measure with
a focus on capital expenditure. Minimum co-financing amount is 50.000 EUR.
PLEASE NOTE:
• IFE disbursement for social protection measures will only start, once the main components
of the job creation component have been implemented. Applicants are encouraged to
indicate the envisaged starting date. (Final definition of the starting point for co-financed
social protection measures will be done during the Due Diligence)
• Maximum duration for co-financing insurance costs, pension schemes or similar is limited
to the operational period of the job creation component.

16
• Disbursements for additional insurance cost, pension schemes or similar will only be made
ex-post on a bi-annual sequence and only upon proof of evidence.

3.3 Own contribution requirement

The applicant must provide own financial contributions towards the social protection component.
The applicant’s required contribution for social protection measures can be as follows:
• For social insurance products, pension schemes or similar the own contribution must be in
cash.
• For one-off capital expenditure investment measures the own contribution can be either cash
or a mix of cash or in-kind towards the overall project budget. The cash-contribution must be
at least 15% of the overall own contribution of the specific social protection investment
measure.

Contribution Description
o Must be in EUR (or listed in EUR equivalent)
o Should stem from own funds only or from a
Cash contributions combination of contributions by the
o Documentary evidence for cash applicant(s) and the beneficiaries
contributions o To be exclusively used for Eligible
Expenditures regarding the Social Protection
component
In-kind contributions o Value and size of owned land necessary for
o Actual value of existing the project (value of lease contract is only
constructions, land, equipment, eligible in case of emphyteutic agreements in
which are necessary for the countries where there is no private property)
foreseen social protection o Actual value of existing constructions,
component (value must be certified equipment or similar necessary for the
by an independent expert) envisaged social protection measure.

3.4 Eligible Expenditures:

The above in chapter 2.4.3 rules for eligible costs also apply for the social protection component
with the following alterations:

• Costs for social insurance products, pension schemes or similar are eligible during the
operational phase of a project.
• External training costs for the social protection component are not eligible.
• Advisory or other technical services (e.g. architectural/technical designs etc.) required for
the social protection component are only eligible for investment / equipment component
and only during the preparatory and investment phase.
• Measures, which will become legally required during the investment or operational phase,
are not eligible for IFE co-financing as of the date of their promulgation.

PLEASE NOTE:
Applicants must provide:
• Relevant proofs of already implemented social protection measures above the mandatory
minimum requirements (if applicable).

17
• A detailed description of the envisaged new social protection measures.
• A full breakdown of costs related to the planned social protection measure.
• In case of requested co-financing for insurance products estimated number of people
benefitting from these products, cost estimations and co-financing schemes.
• In case of requested co-financing for social protection investment components bills of
quantities, quotations, preliminary designs etc. and estimated number of people benefitting
from the measure.
• Proof of availability of own contribution.
• For in-kind contributions, the need for the envisaged social protection measure must be
proved. In case the in-kind contribution is only partially necessary or used for the envisaged
social protection measure, only a pro-rata percentage can be considered

PLEASE NOTE:
• The fulfilment of the above-mentioned conditions will be verified during the assessment
procedure.
• IFE reserves the right to reject requested social protection components, which fail to submit
sufficient evidence.

18
 4. Section
Application and Project Selection Procedure

19
4.1 Application and Project Selection Procedure
For the selection of projects, a two-stage procedure is applied:
1. Submission of Concept Note
2. Submission of Full Project Proposals, ONLY for shortlisted applicants
The selection of projects will be conducted through a competitive, transparent process, as outlined
below.

4.2 Submission Procedure

IFE utilises an online system called SmartME: https://smartme.adalia.fi/login/IFE

General rules for submission

• Applicants must register on the SmartME online platform and create an account (the
platform can be accessed as of 27th January 2025).
• Only registered applicants can access the application forms.
• Concept Notes and – if shortlisted - Full Project Proposals must be submitted online via
SmartME. No other form of submission is allowed.
• Applications received after the submission deadline will be rejected.
• Applications shall be submitted only in
o French for applications for Morocco and Senegal
o English for applications for Ghana and Rwanda
All financial information included in the applications shall be in EUR.
• All requested documentation must be submitted in French or English, depending on the
application language (documents in other languages must be uploaded in the original
language and accompanied by a translation).

Technical assistance with SmartME is available via the platform itself. Please note that IFE does
not take responsibility for technical errors and it is strongly recommended to submit an
application well in advance of the deadline. The system will generate an automatic reply email
informing you of the successful submission.

4.3 Concept Note Assessment Procedure and Criteria

PLEASE NOTE:
• The CN evaluation exercise may also involve an onsite visit and/or video conference by
an IFE staff member to assess the information provided by the applicant, in particular
the plausibility of the KPIs, project category, in-kind contributions, grant amount and
bonus points. This includes the right of IFE to directly contact service providers of
envisaged social protection measures such as insurance companies.

20
 • Applicants are required to make the information demanded by the IFE team available.
• False or incorrect information may lead to the rejection of the Concept Note.

The Concept Note (CN) Evaluation comprises the following steps:

a. Eligibility check for fulfilment of formal application criteria

Each CN submitted will be checked or verified against a set of eligibility criteria (minimum
requirements) related to the applicant(s) and to the project. The main criteria are:
o Applicant is duly registered in the country of call;
o Applicant has been in operation for at least 3 years;
o Applicant (individual applicant or in case of a consortium lead applicant and all consortium
members) has provided certified financial statements / budget information and fulfils
minimum financial parameters;
o Applicant has submitted all necessary declarations (please refer to Annex 2, 3, 4 and 6);
o Applicant has disclosed its shareholder structure and ownership;
o Applicant has disclosed linkages to parent and sister/related companies (if applicable);
o Basic cash flow plan and funding concept is provided;
o Project investment phase can be completed within a period of max. 30 months (including
time needed for planning, studies, licences, construction) until full technical completion;
o Project does not fall into Environmental and Social Category A (high risk of having
significant adverse impacts and risks on the environment or the social conditions of the
affected population).

PLEASE NOTE:
• Applications, which do not fulfil all eligibility criteria above, will be rejected.

b. Qualitative assessment:
All applications, which have passed the eligibility check, will be assessed in a multi-step
procedure: In a first step, the compulsory job creation component will be evaluated against five
basic criteria:

Basic evaluation criteria

Completeness, clarity, and consistency with SI purpose
o The proposed measures to be financed and their intended effects are clearly described
and are in line with the specific objectives of the SI and IFE.
Maturity of the Project
o The project must be at an advanced planning stage in order to be considered for IFE
funding (demonstrated by presentation of feasibility studies, market studies, detailed
cash flows, detailed funding plans/agreements etc.
Additionality
o Demonstration that IFE’s grant support is essential for the implementation of the
proposal and does not replace other available financing options (demonstrated by low
IRR, lack of collaterals, lack of available loan schemes etc.).

Absence of negative Market Distortion

o Demonstration that the Project does not show a substantial risk of causing significant
negative market distortions or crowding out of private players (applicant’s market share

21
 Basic evaluation criteria
shall not exceed 20% before the project and not more the 40% with the project).
Cost per job created
o The grant cost / new job created shall not exceed 10.000 EUR (total grant requested
divided by number of estimated new jobs)

PLEASE NOTE:
• All criteria must be fulfilled by the project to qualify for a shortlisting

In a second step, all applications, which fulfil the basic evaluation criteria, will be assessed and
scored according to the following criteria (quality of the project concept for job creation and the
applicant’s capabilities and capacities):

Assessment of the Project Concept Points

Intervention logic
10 points
o Logic and suitability of the project concept to address the identified
max.
challenges
Description of proposed project activities
15 points
o Quality of description of activities and their suitability/necessity for the
max.
achievement of the project goals and results
Description of regulatory framework conditions
o Quality of description about the regulatory framework conditions and 10 points
potential obstacles, which may have an impact on the expected project max.
outcome
Financial viability of the project (short and long term)
o Availability of sufficient financial resources to cover own contributions
for the investments and operational costs (in particular important for
projects, which show a continuous operational deficit) 15 points
o Availability of sufficient financial resources to cover any potential cost max.
increases.
o Quality of the project implementation plan, financial assumptions and
projections
Operational implementation aspects of the project
o Commitment and capacity of applicant to allocate the required
15 points
resources and human resource capacity to implement the project
max.
o Clear description of the organisational structure of the project
o Sound and coherent implementation plan
65 points
Total
max.
Minimum score to be achieved 32,5 points

Assessment of the Applicant’s Capabilities and Capacities Points

Experience in implementing projects in similar sector and size 7,5 points

o Number of similar projects implemented in the past max
Institutional and staff capabilities to implement the project
20 points
o To what extent does the applicant have the required sectoral, technical
max
and organisational knowledge to execute and manage the project?

22
 Assessment of the Applicant’s Capabilities and Capacities Points

Knowledge of the national legislation or prior experience with the

implementation of Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) 7,5 points
o To what extent does the applicant demonstrate knowledge and/or max
experience in ESMS?
35 points
Total
max.
Minimum score to be achieved 14,0 points

Overall Maximum Score 100 points

Overall Minimum Score to be achieved 50 points

PLEASE NOTE:
• Projects which do not achieve each established respective minimum threshold or do
not reach 50 points or higher on the Overall Qualitative Evaluation, will be rejected.

c. KPI assessment
In a third step, the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) will be assessed and scored according as
follows:

Key Performance
Criterion Score
Indicator

KPI 1 Cost / job between 5 and 30

Number of existing employees with improved income or

between 2 and 10
other working conditions (see Annex 1)
KPI 2 - - - or - - - - - - or - - -
Number of existing employees with improved social
between 4 and 20
protection (see Annex 1)
Number of people participating in vocational and higher
KPI 3 between 1 and 5
education or vocational/further qualification measures

PLEASE NOTE:
• The KPI figures provided by the applicant in the Concept Note will be revised and
assessed during the evaluation. IFE reserves the right to modify the figures provided at
its own discretion.
• IFE reserves the right to reject applications with over-estimated KPI.

d. General Bonus criteria

In a fourth step, the qualified projects will be assessed against general bonus aspects, which
comprise:
Please note that the below table provides only summary information. Details for bonus
criteria and explanations are provided in Annex 8.

23
General Bonus criteria (max 23 points)

More than 25% of jobs created (KPI 1) will be for youth (15-24 years)

The project contributes to at least one of the following criteria regarding feminist development
policy:
o Specific promotion of women in employment & women in business
o Specific improvement of working conditions for women
o Specific training of women
The project contributes to at least one of the following criteria of ‘Just Transition’:
o Project content falls within a ‘green sector’
o Project comprises greening processes
o Project targets the information and communication technology (ICT) sector
o Project promotes environmentally and socially sustainable global supply chains
The project provides positive synergies with other projects within the Special Initiative "Decent
Work for a Just Transition"

PLEASE NOTE:
• For all bonus points claimed the applicant has to provide evidence that the criteria laid
out in Annex 8 are fulfilled.
• Bonus points will not be awarded in case IFE - at its own discretion - considers the
documentation as insufficient.
• Successful applicants are obliged to monitor and provide evidence of the awarded
bonus aspects.

e. Social Protection measures

In a fifth step, the existing or newly proposed social protection measures will be assessed. This
assessment comprises the following two steps:
1. Assessment of potential bonus points for existing or planned social protection measure
2. Assessment of requested co-financing for new protection measures to be introduced

Ad 1) Social Protection Bonus Points

Bonus point for social protection measures will be granted if the project comprises one or more
of the following aspects. Please note that the below table provides only summary
information. Details for bonus criteria and explanations are provided in Annex 8.

Bonus criteria for Social Protection Measures (max 12 points)

The project contributes to an improved social protection of new employees (KPI 1), and
potentially their families above the mandatory minimum requirements, for example:
o health, unemployment, occupational accident insurances,
o pensions schemes
o health insurance for family members of the new employees
The Employer offers social protection to people in informal or semi-formal employment
relationships
The project creates new formal jobs in sectors with a traditionally high proportion of informal
employment
The project offers additional benefits such as extended maternity / paternity leave, extended
sick leave times, additional child allowances etc.

24
The project offers other additional social protection benefits, which benefit employees, their
families or disadvantaged groups (e.g. establishment of child care facilities, conversion of
workplaces with the aim of making them more accessible for persons with disabilities,
establishment of a health care centre etc.)

PLEASE NOTE:
• Social protection measure shall be open to a wide range of beneficiaries. Measures,
which benefit only a certain group (e.g. more privileged group, management etc.) are
not eligible.
• For all bonus points claimed the applicant has to provide evidence that the criteria laid
out in Annex 8 are fulfilled.
• Bonus points may be granted independent from a potential request for IFE co-financing
• Bonus points will not be awarded in case IFE - at its own discretion - considers the
documentation as insufficient.
• Successful applicants are obliged to monitor and provide evidence of the awarded
bonus aspects.

Ad 2) IFE co-financing for social protection measures

PLEASE NOTE:
• To be eligible for a co-financing for social protection measures, applicants must have
passed successfully the eligibility check and the qualitative assessment of the job
creation component.
• Applications without an eligible job creation component will be rejected.

Applications for co-financing will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Quality and accuracy of description of the envisaged social protection measures;
• Quality of description about the mandatory minimum requirements and proof that the new
measures are additional;
• Quality of description regarding the financial sustainability of the social protection
measures, including:
o Availability of sufficient financial resources to cover own contributions for the
investment
o Concept of cost coverage beyond the co-financing period
o Clear stipulations on the viability of both employer and employee / third party financial
contributions i.e. for ongoing measures
o Availability of sufficient financial resources to cover any potential cost increases
o Quality of financial assumptions and projections (e.g. presentation of cost quotations,
bills of quantity, cost quotations, preliminary designs etc.)
• Commitment and capacity of applicant to allocate the required resources and human
resource capacity to implement the project;
• Clear description of the organisational structure of the project, including contractual
arrangements and monetary flows;
• Proposed measures must fall within the eligible measures as explained in chapters 2.4.3
and 3.4.;
• Requested co-financing amount must be within the maximum thresholds as explained in
chapter 3.2.

25
 PLEASE NOTE:
• Co-financing will not be granted in case IFE - at its own discretion - considers the
documentation as insufficient or inconclusive.
• Successful applicants are obliged to monitor and to report on the social protection
measures.
• Co-financing for social protection measures such as improved insurances, pension
schemes etc. are only be granted ex-post upon proof of evidence of reimbursable
costs.
• Co-financing for social protection measures, which are required by law, are not eligible!

4.4 Ranking and Shortlist

All projects, which have achieved the minimum score in the qualitative evaluation, will be –
exclusively – ranked according to the following criteria:

Aspect Criteria Score

KPI 1 Cost / job (grant amount / expected number of jobs created) Max. 30

Number of existing employees who benefit from improved working

KPI 2 Max. 20
conditions, social protection or income
Number of people participating in vocational and higher education
KPI 3 Max. 5
or vocational/further qualification measures
General
Bonus See criteria above Max. 23
criteria
Bonus points for Social Protection measures Max. 12
Social
Protection Number of people benefitting from social protection measures co-
Max. 10
financed by IFE
Total Max 100

Based on the availability of funds, a shortlist is established and successful applicants will be
informed to submit a Full Project Proposal (FPP).

PLEASE NOTE:
• Applications with an eligible social protection component co-financed by IFE will be
prioritized in the ranking. Consequently, these applications will be ranked before any
application without a co-financed social protection component.

4.5 Full Project Proposal

Shortlisted Applicants have to submit Full Project Proposals in the online management system
(https://smartme.adalia.fi/login/IFE). Shortlisted Applicants will receive an invitation letter for
submitting a FPP. Upon logging onto SmartME, the applicants can access the Full Project
Proposal package, consisting of the following information/documents:
• The Full Proposal Form in SmartME, where they can download all required instructions,
templates, and upload further documentation
• Word template for the Project Implementation Plan, including instructions for developing

26
 this critical document
• Excel template for the Financial and Work Plan
• List of documentary requirements including:
o All required legal and financial documents including the VAT status document;
o Evidence of availability of applicant co-funding contribution including third party
funding where relevant;
o CVs or biographies of key staff/managers involved in the project implementation;
o Letters of intent by third party entities (other than consortium members) which
are individually identified in the proposal either for the implementation of the
project or the achievement of KPI targets;
o Declarations of Undertaking signed by lead applicant and all consortium
members, if applicable (Annex 2);
o Declarations of Commitment signed by lead applicant (Annex 3)
PLEASE NOTE:
• Shortlisted applicants will receive in the invitation letter a list of the specific requirements
to be addressed in their Full Project Proposal. Non-fulfilment of these requirements will
lead to a disqualification of the application.
• Shortlisted applicants have as a standard 52 calendar days to elaborate their Full
Project Proposals and upload it online in SmartME with all supporting documents
(specific timelines and dates will be indicated with the invitation letter). At the beginning
of the FPP period, individual counselling sessions will be offered to all shortlisted
applicants. The aim of these sessions is to explain in detail the observations of the CN
evaluation and areas that need to be improved in the Full Project Proposal.
• During the FPP stage IFE offers up to two Information Sessions for all shortlisted
Applicants.

The Full Project Proposal must be sufficiently self-explanatory and convincingly document the
viability and sustainability of the project and – if applicable – the social protection component. It
must include a detailed implementation plan with realistic timelines, detailed budget, proposal-
specific results framework with objectives, targets and indicators, detailed technical design or
equipment specifications including cost estimate, environmental and social management
checklist, procurement plan, list of force account measures and an operational and maintenance
plan (please see Annex 6 for specific documentation to be submitted).

4.6 Due Diligence / Full Project Proposal Evaluation

IFE will conduct a detailed due diligence exercise for each received Full Project Proposal to
assess the correctness, completeness and relevance of the information provided. In particular,
the following aspects are assessed.
Job Creation component:
• Verification of Eligibility criteria (financial indicators, investment time etc.);
• Verification of basic selection criteria (coherence with SI, maturity, additionality, absence
of market distortion, max. job costs);
• Project category and Grant size;
• Maturity and technical plausibility of project concept;
• Plausibility of cost estimations, revenues, cash flow projections;
• Funding plan and sources;
• Plausibility of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs);

27
 • Environmental & Social aspects;
• Coherence with EU State Aid Law.

Social Protection component:

• Verification of Eligibility criteria (financial indicators, investment time etc.);
• Verification of basic selection criteria (eligible measures, grant size, co-financing
thresholds, envisaged target groups etc.);
• Maturity and technical plausibility of the social protection measure;
• Plausibility of cost estimations, cash flow projections;
• Plausibility of sustainability concept
• Plausibility of number of beneficiaries;
• Funding plan and sources.

PLEASE NOTE:
• The due diligence exercise may comprise an onsite visit and/or video conference by
IFE staff members to assess the information provided by the applicant, in particular the
plausibility of the KPIs, project category, in-kind contributions and grant amount. This
includes the right of IFE to directly contact service providers of envisaged social
protection measures such as insurance companies.
• Applicants are required to make the information demanded by the IFE available.
• If necessary, the planning figures will be adapted for further processing.
• Applicants have to agree on the modifications.
• False or incorrect information provided by the applicant may lead to the rejection of the
project proposal.

4.7 Contracting
Applicants, whose Full Project Proposals have been accepted by IFE, will be offered a Grant
Agreement. Before the grant agreement can be concluded, an environmental and social due
diligence must have been concluded.
In case that during the Due Diligence conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the grant
agreement will have been defined, the Grant agreement will only become effective, once all these
conditions have been fulfilled.

4.8 Disbursement/Implementation
IFE disbursements will be done in instalments subject to achieved pre-defined milestones and
upon submission of evidence and proof of expenses. The Applicants are expected to commit their
own contribution before the disbursement of the grant. Disbursement of the IFE grant will only
start, once all contractual conditions for pre-disbursement (will be determined during the DD
procedure) have been fulfilled.
IFE disbursement for social protection measures will only start, once the main components of the
job creation component have been implemented. In addition, disbursements for additional
insurance cost, pension schemes or similar will only be made ex-post on a bi-annual sequence
and only upon proof of evidence.

28
 5. Section
General Information and Conditions

29
5.1 Support to Project Preparation and Implementation
IFE offers different instruments to support applicants or grantees in specific activities for the
preparation of their applications or during the investment period. These instruments comprise:
1. Due to the importance of Social Protection issues (as reflected in the Bonus Points, Ranking
chapters etc.), IFE will offer Social Protection advisory services to all applicants during the
CN and Full Project Proposals stage, Support is offered through individual virtual sessions
provided by a dedicated IFE support desk team established for this purpose (free of charge;
see contact details in the following point and on the IFE website).
2. During the CN stage, individual counselling sessions (free of charge) are offered to interested
applicants to provide guidance on general procedures as well as on specific questions related
to the job creation and social protection components. For this purpose, a support desk has
been established´, which can be contacted via email under the following addresses:
o [email protected] (for Ghana and Rwanda)
o [email protected] (for Morocco and Senegal).
3. Shortlisted applicants may receive a support in the elaboration of their Full Project Proposals
(FPP). The following sub-categories apply:
o Public applicants without any private sector participation are offered a general support
provided by an external consultant (free of charge).
o Projects proposed by NGOs and CSOs without private sector participation, whose
average budget of the past 3 years does not exceed 2 Mio. EUR, are offered a general
support in the preparation of their FPP (free of charge).
o Applications submitted by a private entity of consortia with at least one private entity as
consortium member may receive support for specific technical issues only such as an
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (30% co-financing required).
4. For applicants, whose Full Project Proposal has been approved, support may be granted for
specific activities, for which consultancy support need has been identified during the due
diligence for fulfilling all pre-conditions for concluding the Grant Agreement, for reaching
effectiveness of the Grant Agreement or requiring further assistance during the Preparatory
or Investment Period (30% co-financing required).
5. Projects, which are deemed by IFE to be able to reach the operational phase within 18 months
and to reach min. 50% of the expected KPI 1 within 24 months after signature of the Grant
Agreement (fast track projects), may receive support for specific technical issues (30% co-
financing required).

PLEASE NOTE:
o Applicants can apply for a specific support during the elaboration of their Concept Note
or Full Project Proposal (application forms are available in SmartME. Applicants have
to prove that they are unable to perform these activities through their own staff with
reasonable effort.
o IFE selects the projects to be supported by instruments 2, 3 and 4 as its own discretion.
o In any event, the support may only be granted for support measures that are required
during the planning and preparatory/investment phases of a Project. A support of
measures during the operational phase of a Project is prohibited.
o In exceptional cases, the support need might only be identified during the investment
phase of an approved Project. In such cases, the Grant Recipient applies to IFE for a
specific support need or IFE suggests a specific support to the Grant Recipient.

30
 o Not eligible for support comprise General studies of the commercial or technical
feasibility; ordinary preparation measures (e.g. architect drawings); Auxiliary services
(e.g. security services, transport or logistics, real estate brokerage fees); Trainings,
coaching or other capacity building measures for key Project staff; Measures with an
expected implementation time frame of more than 6 months.

5.2 Reporting Obligations

Job creation component:
In general, grantees are required to report quarterly during the preparatory and investment phase
and up to 3 years after the end of the investment phase. During the preparatory and investment
phase, reporting mainly includes information on project progress, procurement aspects and
payments, as well as environmental and social aspects. With the start of the operational phase,
reporting consists of KPI and bonus aspects achievement.
General:
o For newly created jobs (KPI 1) the number of jobs with social protection according the
prevailing mandatory minimum requirements have to be reported and the number of
created new jobs with a supplementary insurance (share of KPI 1; see details in Annex 8
– Bonus points).
o For existing jobs (KPI 2) the total number of people benefitting from improvements of
working conditions, or income, the share of formalised jobs and the share of jobs with
improved social protection through additional benefits (see Annex 1).
Grantees will be required to demonstrate the job creation through:

• Copies of employment records, contracts, etc. (employment directly within an Applicant

entity and – if applicable – at 3rd party entities)
• Tax records demonstrating that appropriate employer taxes have been paid on employee
salaries (employment either within an Applicant entity or Third Party)
• Payment of social security contributions in accordance with the statutory provisions.
Grantees will be required to demonstrate fulfilment of bonus aspects (examples):
• Provision of evidence of number of youth / women employed
• Provision of effective energy consumption savings etc.
Social Protection Component:
• Grantees are required to report for social protection investment measures quarterly
during the preparatory and investment phase. During the preparatory and investment
phase, reporting mainly includes information on project progress, procurement aspects
and payments. During the operational phase grantees have to report on number of
beneficiaries, bonus points etc.
• For co-financed social insurances, pension schemes etc. grantees are required to report
bi-annually by providing proof of evidence of benefitting people and reimbursable costs
incurred.

In addition to the above reporting, there are mandatory compliance reporting obligations. The
grantee must report on all circumstances that might jeopardize the achievement of the overall
objective, the business activities’ purpose and the results, as well as any incidents which may
give rise to liabilities or negative publicity.

31
These reporting obligations will be part of the contracting procedure, meaning that the grantee is
legally required to undertake all necessary work to submit comprehensive and complete reports
each quarter.
PLEASE NOTE:

• Grant agreements may be cancelled and Grantees may be required to repay grant in
case they fail to provide evidence of the required reports or provide false data.

5.3 Tax and cost overruns

Upon submission of the Concept Note, the applicant must make a declaration confirming that any
taxes/levies applied upon the IFE grant in the applicant’s country of origin will be covered in full
by the applicant.
Further, the applicant must declare that he will bear any cost overruns on the project, as the grant
amount cannot be increased after the award even if the overall project cost increases.

5.4 Procurement
Please note that all goods, services and works to be financed or co-financed using the grant
contribution of IFE must be procured in accordance with the IFE’s Procurement Procedures for
Recipients, which mirror the KfW Guidelines for the procurement of goods and services 4. IFE
Procurement Guidelines will be provided to the shortlisted applicants.
Although it is generally permissible for applicants to indicate a preferred supplier already in their
Concept Notes, the shortlisting of the Concept Note by IFE does not imply the acceptance or pre-
determination of the supplier preference stated or implied therein. In fact, as a matter of principle,
IFE requires procurements to be carried out in a transparent and competitive manner.

5.5 Cancellation of Call for Proposals

A Call for Proposals may be cancelled prior to awarding any grant, without incurring any liability
thereby vis-à-vis the applicants. In the event of cancellation, applicants will be notified thereof by
IFE and shall not be entitled to any compensation. Applicants acknowledge that they are taking
part in a Call for Proposal process at their own expenses and risks.

5.6 Disclaimer on grant award decisions

The final grant award decisions rest in the sole responsibility of IFE. By submitting a Concept
Note or a Full Project Proposal, applicants acknowledge that they participate in a competitive
selection process in which the award of the requested financing is not guaranteed, and within
which they have no rights of appeal against any decision taken by IFE. However, a grievance
mechanism has been established; details and contact information can be found at the following
website: https://invest-for-jobs.com/en/ife-facility-grievance-mechanism

5.7 Applicability of EU State Aid Laws

Applicants and consortium members must take into consideration the rules arising from the laws
and regulations of the European Union concerning government support for industry (state aid) in
respect of a provision of subsidies by IFE to them directly or through their subsidiaries or affiliates
in other countries, including but not limited to the respective country. IFE reserves the right to
reject a Concept Note or a Full Project Proposal or (at a later process stage) to withdraw or cancel

4 Please visit https://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/PDF/Download-Center/PDF-Dokumente-Richtlinien/FZ-Vergaberichtlinien-V-

2021-EN.pdf for the full Guidelines.

32
a grant financing award if it deems – in its sole and final discretion – that its financing contribution
may lead to a potential infringement of applicable subsidy laws or may require to obtain a special
exemption from applicable authorities beforehand.
IFE is not in the position to provide legal advice to applicants in regards to this matter but refers
interested applicants to the European Commission's external website, which provides further
information on regulations concerning government support.

5.8 Use of data

Prior to submitting their Concept Notes, applicants need to declare in a standardized form that
they consent with uploading and processing basic information on the applicant, the partners and
the project to/in the Special Initiative Information System (SIIS) platform. Basic information
includes the names/locations of the entities involved, the relevant economic sector, the project
type, a summary of the project objective and activities, the selection status, the total capital
mobilized (incl. IFE grant) as well as the KPIs (planned vs. effectively achieved). The SIIS data
serve to provide an overview on the Special Initiative’s portfolio of ongoing and planned projects
as well as the progress in achievements respective to the key performance indicators (KPI). The
SIIS facilitates collaborations and synergies between the various instruments of the Special
Initiative (part of which is IFE), KfW, GIZ and IFE, including their service providers that have
access to the SIIS platform.

33
Annex 1: List of Key Performance Indicators

KPI 1 – Job Creation

Number of people who came into employment as a result of the Special Initiative "Decent
Work for a Just Transition" (please note: this is IFE’s primary key performance
indicator), differentiated by target group (women/men, youth (15-24)).
To be counted for IFE purposes, a new job must be a “good” job, meaning that it meets the
following criteria:
▪ Be established in a private entity. Jobs created in the public sector do not count.
▪ Fulfilment of a minimum employment duration (20 hours/week over 26 weeks
within a year or at least 520 working hours/year (exception when the employee quits
the job);
▪ Payment of at least the national minimum wage, where legally established or in
other cases as determined by the Special Initiative (see Annex 9);
▪ Compliance with the ILO core and basic labour standards (no child or forced
labour, prohibition of discrimination in employment and occupation, freedom of
association and right to collective bargaining, occupational health and safety).
These new good jobs can only be counted if they are
▪ created as a direct result of the investment project. The formalisation of existing
employment relationships or jobs created thanks to improved general socio-economic
framework conditions cannot be counted, even if these improvements are an indirect
effect of the project.
▪ created in a private entity either at the applicant and/or consortium members or at Third
Party entities.
In case the new jobs comprise self-entrepreneurs, the applicant must demonstrate – if available
- possibilities of access to state or private security systems and the financial plausibility for
accessing these.
The successful applicants will be responsible for demonstrating job creation during the
investment phase and up to 3 years of the operational phase by presenting evidence such as
contracts indicating minimum wage, working hours as per legislation in the respective country,
payment of social contribution, etc.

KPI 2 – Improved Working Conditions and / or Income

Number of people who benefit from improved social protection, working conditions or whose
income has improved as a result of the Special Initiative - differentiated by target group
(women/men, youth (15-24). Please note that this KPI applies only to already existing
employees of applicant entities (i.e., the people employed by the applicant’s entity/ies
at the time of the submission of the IFE proposal). It does not apply to new good jobs
created under KPI 1 above.
This KPI is divided into the following categories:
Improved Social Protection: Existing employees can be counted, if the project foresees at
least one of the following measures:

34
 • Transformation of an informal job (from the shadow economy) to a formal job.
Employment conditions must fulfil prevailing national regulations regarding social
security conditions. Please note that these jobs cannot be counted under KPI 1.
• The applicant provides significant contributions to health and/or occupational accident
and disability insurance and/or to pension schemes of its employees (at least 25%
higher employer's contribution or at least 25% improved benefits compared to the
mandatory minimum requirements).
• Employer offers his employees additional company pension schemes co-financed by
the employer by at least 30%
• Employer offers his employees improved unemployment insurance schemes co-
financed by the employer by at least 30%.
• The employer offers at least one of the following measures with conditions above the
mandatory minimum requirements and fully financed by the employer:
o (extended) maternity/paternity leave
o (extended) sick leave times with continued wage payment
o (extended) family benefits (e.g. child allowance)
o (extended) sick leave for caring of family members in need of care
o child care facilities or other childcare benefits
Improved Income: If as a direct result of the project, it is expected that the income of
employees already employed when applying for the grant will on average increase, they can
be counted. Please note that the expected income increase must be directly resulting from the
proposed project,
Improved Working Conditions: If as a direct result of the project one or more of the following
measures is put into place, employees already employed when applying for the grant can be
counted.
• Access to personnel support (e.g. flexible working-time arrangements, transportation
assistance);
• Compliance with labour standards (e.g. introduction or expansion of occupational
health and safety standards);
• Gender equality situation and better representation of interests within the company;
• Access to corporate financial services (e.g. savings schemes, business loans).
Please note:

• If existing employees benefit from more than one of the above measures, they can only
be counted once.
• The successful applicants will be obliged for demonstrating improvement of working
conditions or income after project implementation by presenting evidence such as e.g.
new HR polices, company or organisation procedures; employment contracts
demonstrating increase in wages, etc.

35
KPI 3 – Vocational higher education and job-related measures
Number of people who have participated in vocational and higher education or
vocational/further qualification measures as a result of the project - differentiated by target
group (women/men, youth (15-24).
This KPI is divided into two categories:
Vocational higher education:
People who have participated successfully in initial / further training with the aim of enhancing
their employability due to TVET and higher education qualification measures lasting for 12
months or more.
Job-related measures:
People who will participate successfully in occupationally relevant short-term measures and
courses are programmes with a duration between minimum 6 days and up to 12 months
(usually short vocational-training courses).
Please note that
• Employees, who receive an initial training (e.g. courses for machinery instructions) ,
cannot be counted under KPI 3.
• People counted under KPI 1 (e.g. graduates of a Vocational Education and Training
(VET) project, who will find a job) can be counted again under KPI 3
Please note: The successful applicants are obliged to demonstrate the number of people
participating in higher education or job-related measures after project implementation by
presenting evidence such as enrolment in courses or internal company training course
enrolments or facilitation of training e.g. apprenticeship etc.

36
Annex 2: Declaration of Undertaking

Standard Declaration of Undertaking

Reference name of the Application: ("Project"1)

To: Investitionen für Beschäftigung (Investing for Employment) GmbH "(IFE)"

1. We recognise and accept that the Investitionen für Beschäftigung (Investing for
Employment) GmbH (hereafter IFE) only finances projects of Recipients2 subject to its own
conditions which are set out in the Grant Agreement yet to be entered into with the Recipient. As
a matter of consequence, no legal relationship exists between IFE and our company, our Joint
Venture or our Subcontractors under the Project. The Recipient retains exclusive responsibility
for the preparation and implementation of the Application Process and the performance of the
Project.

2. We hereby certify that neither we nor any of our board members or legal representatives
nor any other member of our Joint Venture including Contractors and Subcontractors under the
Project are in any of the following situations:

2.1) being bankrupt, wound up or ceasing our activities, having our activities administered by
courts, having entered into receivership, reorganisation or being in any analogous situation;

2.2) convicted by a final judgement or a final administrative decision or subject to financial

sanctions by the United Nations, the European Union or Germany for involvement in a criminal
organisation, money laundering, terrorist-related offences, child labour or trafficking in human
beings; this criterion of exclusion is also applicable to legal Persons, whose majority of shares
are held or factually controlled by natural or legal Persons which themselves are subject to such
convictions or sanctions;

2.3) having been convicted by a final court decision or a final administrative decision by a court,
the European Union, national authorities in the Partner Country or in Germany for Sanctionable
Practice in connection with a Tender Process or the performance of a Contract or for an
irregularity affecting the EU’s financial interests (in the event of such a conviction, the Applicant
or Bidder shall attach to this Declaration of Undertaking supporting information showing that this
conviction is not relevant in the context of this Contract and that adequate compliance measures
have been taken in reaction);

2.4) having been subject, within the past five years to a Contract termination fully settled against
us for significant or persistent failure to comply with our contractual obligations during such
Contract performance, unless this termination was challenged, and dispute resolution is still
pending or has not confirmed a full settlement against us;

1Project Name/Title and Project ID

2The Recipient means, in this case: Applicant having successfully submitted a Project Proposal and with whom IFE signed a Grant
Agreement.

37
2.5) not having fulfilled applicable fiscal obligations regarding payments of taxes either in the
country where we are constituted or the Recipient's country;

2.6) being subject to an exclusion decision of the World Bank or any other multilateral
development bank and being listed on the website http://www.worldbank.org/debarr or
respectively on the relevant list of any other multilateral development bank (in the event of such
exclusion, the Applicant or Bidder shall attach to this Declaration of Undertaking supporting
information showing that this exclusion is not relevant in the context of this Contract and that
adequate compliance measures have been taken in reaction); or

2.7) being guilty of misrepresentation in supplying the information required as a condition of

participation in the Tender.

3. We hereby certify that neither we, nor any of the members of our Joint Venture or any of
our Contractors and Subcontractors under the Project are in any of the following situations of
conflict of interest:

3.1) being an Affiliate controlled by the IFE or a shareholder controlling the Applicant, unless the
stemming conflict of interest has been brought to the attention of IFE and resolved to its
satisfaction;

3.2) having a business or family relationship with a IFE's staff involved in the Tender Process or
the supervision of the resulting Contract, unless the stemming conflict of interest has been brought
to the attention of IFE and resolved to its satisfaction;

3.3) being controlled by or controlling another Applicant or Bidder, or being under common control
with another Applicant or Bidder, or receiving from or granting subsidies directly or indirectly to
another Applicant or Bidder, having the same legal representative as another Applicant or Bidder,
maintaining direct or indirect contacts with another Applicant or Bidder which allows us to have or
give access to information contained in the respective Applications or Offers, influencing them or
influencing decisions of the Recipient;

4. If we are a state-owned company, and compete in a Tender Process, we certify that we

have legal and financial autonomy and that we operate under commercial laws and regulations.

5. We undertake to bring to the attention of IFE, any change in situation with regard to points
2 to 4 here above.
6. In the context of the Application Process and performance of the corresponding Contract:

6.1) neither we nor any of the members of our Joint Venture nor any of our Contractors and
Subcontractors under the Contract have engaged or will engage in any Sanctionable Practice
during the Tender Process and in the case of being awarded a Contract will engage in any
Sanctionable Practice during the performance of the Contract;

6.2) neither we nor any of the members of our Joint Venture or any of our Contractors and
Subcontractors under the Contract shall acquire or supply any equipment nor operate in any
sectors under an embargo of the United Nations, the European Union or Germany; and

6.3) we commit ourselves to complying with and ensuring that our Contractors and Subcontractors
and major suppliers under the Contract comply with international environmental and labour
standards, consistent with laws and regulations applicable in the country of implementation of the

38
Contract and the fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation 3 (ILO) and
international environmental treaties. Moreover, we shall implement environmental and social risks
mitigation measures when specified in the relevant environmental and social management plans
or other similar documents provided by the IFE and, in any case, implement measures to prevent
sexual exploitation and abuse and gender-based violence.

6.4) We accept that our data (including personal data) generated in connection with the
preparation of the Concept Note and Full Project Proposal during the Application Process are
stored and processed according to the Applicable Law by the Recipient and IFE. We accept that
IFE will share selected information received as part of the Application Process with other
organization’s part of the Special Initiative "Decent Work for a Just Transition" for verification
purposes.

7. In the case of being awarded a Contract, we, as well as all members of our Joint Venture
partners, Contractors and Subcontractors under the Contract will, (i) upon request, provide
information relating to the Tender Process and the performance of the Contract and (ii) permit the
Recipient and IFE or an agent appointed by either of them, and in the case of financing by the
European Union also to European institutions having competence under European Union law, to
inspect the respective accounts, records and documents, to permit on the spot checks and to
ensure access to sites and the respective project.

8. In the case of being awarded a Contract, we, as well as all our Joint Venture partners and
Subcontractors under the Contract undertake to preserve above mentioned records and
documents in accordance with Applicable Law, but in any case, for at least six years from the
date of fulfilment or termination of the Contract. Our financial transactions and financial
statements shall be subject to auditing procedures in accordance with Applicable Law.
Furthermore, we accept that our data (including personal data) generated in connection with
implementation of the Contract and the performance of the Contract are stored and processed
according to the Applicable Law by the Recipient and IFE.

Name: ____________________________________

In the capacity of: ____________________________________

Duly empowered to
sign in the name and
on behalf of4: ____________________________________

Signature: Dated:

3 In case ILO conventions have not been fully ratified or implemented in the Employer’s country the Applicant/Bidder/Contractor
shall, to the satisfaction of the Employer and IFE, propose and implement appropriate measures in the spirit of the said ILO
conventions with respect to a) workers grievances on working conditions and terms of employment, b) child labour, c) forced labour,
d) worker’s organisations, e) non-discrimination and f) occupational health and safety.
4 In the case of a JV, insert the name of the JV. The person who will sign the application, bid or proposal on behalf of the applicant

shall attach a power of attorney from the applicant.

39
Annex 3: Declaration of Commitment

Standard Declaration of Commitment

Reference name of the Application: ("Project"1)

To: Investitionen für Beschäftigung (Investing for Employment) GmbH "(IFE)"

We hereby certify that

• We and all our related entities adhere to the ‘Policy statement of KfW and its subsidiaries
on human rights and on its human rights strategy2.
• We will demand from our contractors for items to be (co-)financed by IFE to adhere to the
policy statement of KfW and its subsidiaries on human rights and on its human rights
strategy.
• We will fully comply with EU sanctions provisions.
• We will comply with all national regulations regarding social security contributions for
employees and subcontractors
• We will adhere to the ILO core labour standards i) freedom of association and the
effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining; ii) the elimination of all forms of
forced or compulsory labour; iii) the effective abolition of child labour; iv) the elimination
of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation and v) occupational Safety
and Health.
• We will fulfil the reporting obligations to provide evidence with regard to
o the achievement of KPIs until up to 3 years after the investment phase (for KPI 1
– new jobs) fulfilment of prevailing social security obligations;
o the awarded bonus aspects up to 3 years after the investment phase. The project
progress, procurement aspects and payments, as well as environmental and
social aspects, until the closure of the investment phase.

Name: ____________________________________

In the capacity of: ____________________________________

Duly empowered to
sign in the name and
on behalf of3: ____________________________________

Signature: Dated:

1 Project Name/Title and Project ID

2 https://www.kfw.de/nachhaltigkeit/Dokumente/Sonstiges/KfW-Group%27s-Human-Rights-Policy-Statement.pdf
3 In the case of a JV, insert the name of the JV. The person who will sign the application, bid or proposal on behalf of the
applicant shall attach a power of attorney from the applicant.

40
Annex 4: Declaration of Collaboration and Power of Attorney

Facility Investing for Employment

Declaration of Collaboration and
Power of Attorney

The parties, as listed hereunder (now referred to as Partners):

Partner 1 Name (incl. legal status)

Established:
(when, where?):
Activity (what, where):
Role in Project:
- Financial
- Non-financial
Partner 2 Name (incl. legal status)
Established:
(when, where?:
Activity (what, where):
Role in Project:
- Financial
- Non-financial
Partner …. Name (incl. legal status)
Established:
(when, where?:
Activity (what, where):
Role in Project:
- Financial
- Non-financial

hereby confirm the following:

(i) The Partners intend to form a consortium to jointly carry out following project

Name of project: ____________________________________

Legal Status: ____________________________________
Purpose: ____________________________________

(ii) The Partners intend to apply for a grant from the Facility Investing for Employment
for co-financing the investment phase of the project.

(iii) The Partners nominate the Partner .............................. as Lead Applicant to submit
the concept note application to IFE, and – in the event of being approved – assume
the full responsibility for the execution of the project until its technical completion.

(iv) The Partners give the Lead Applicant Power of Attorney:

a. to submit the concept note application on their behalf.

b. in case of being shortlisted: to submit the full project proposal on their behalf.
c. In case of being approved: to sign the Grant Agreement on their behalf.

41
City, Country, date

Partner 1: ____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Function: ____________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________

Partner 2: ____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Function: ____________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________

Partner …: ____________________________________
Name: ____________________________________
Function: ____________________________________

Signature: ____________________________________

42
Annex 5: Letter of Intent for Third Party Job Creation

Facility Investing for Employment

Letter of Intent
on Job Creation and Labour Standard Compliance

This Letter of Intent is offered by a valid Third-Party Entity and a Grantee (Individual or Lead
Grantee) which is the recipient of a grant from the Facility Investing for Employment (IFE) co-
financing a job creating project. By this Letter of Intent, the Third-Party Entity named as
____________ (please provide name and registration details) hereby confirms:
(i) to create _______ new good jobs as a direct result of the IFE co-financed project
(see Section I below);
(ii) to ensure that all such newly created good jobs will be compliant with the labour
standards outlined in Section II below;
(iv) To provide documentation necessary for the verification and validation of the
creation of these jobs and the compliance with labour standards (see Section III
below).

I. Job Creation1
As a direct result of the IFE co-financed project, we expect to create new jobs in the following
time period:
Total number of new jobs expected to be created: __________
Of which total, the new hires are expected to be women: __________
Of which total, the new hires are expected to be youth (15-24): __________
The new jobs are expected to be created according to the following schedule:

During Project Y1 Y2 Y3

Total

Women

Youth

The first year considered for the creation of new jobs corresponds to the year, when the IFE co-
financed project has completed its investment phase and commences with its operating phase.
Details of jobs to be created:

Description of
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Total
Positions

1We understand that jobs created during the first year will achieve a higher score and therefore improve its chances to qualify for
an IFE grant.

43
Please provide brief explanation / justification, why these jobs will be created as a
direct result of the project:

Optional:

We hereby confirm that the following additional benefits regarding social security are offered to
the employees of the newly created jobs:

Health insurance Yes / no

a. at least 25% higher employer's
contribution or Accident and disability insurance Yes / no
b. at least 25% improved benefit / benefit
level (money or coverage period etc.)
compared to the mandatory minimum Pension schemes Yes / no
requirements
Health insurance for family
Yes / no
members of the employee
additional company pension
Measures above the mandatory minimum legal Yes / no
schemes
requirements co-financed by us by at least
30%. unemployment insurance schemes Yes / no

(extended) maternity/paternity leave

Yes / no
to the employees
(extended) sick leave times with
Yes / no
continued wage payment
Measures above the mandatory minimum legal (extended) family benefits (e.g. child
Yes / no
requirements fully financed by us allowance)
(extended) sick leave for caring of
Yes / no
family members in need of care
child care facilities or other childcare
Yes / no
benefits

II. Labour Standard Compliance

As a Third-Party Entity, we confirm that all jobs created will comply with the following criteria:
o Employment will be of a minimum duration, currently set at 20 hours per week over a 26-
week period in a year, or any combination leading to 520 hours of employment in a year.
o At a very minimum, the national statutory minimum wage laws (where applicable) will be
applied or a wage in excess of a pre-defined threshold as defined by the Special Initiative.

44
 o all newly created jobs will be compliant with the statutory requirements for social
protection in the concerned country.

ILO principles and associated conventions, in particular:

o No child labour (Minimum age No.138, Worst forms of child labour No.182),
o No forced labour (No forced labour No. 29, No forced labour No.105),
o Prohibition of discrimination in employment and occupation (Non-discrimination No.
111, Equal remuneration No. 100),
o Freedom of association and right to collective bargaining (Freedom of union
membership No. 87, Right to organise & collective bargaining No. 98)’,
o Occupational Health and Safety (Convention No.155 and Recommendation No. 164)
In accordance with the International Labour Organisations (ILO) Fundamental Conventions, the
International Finance Corporation (IFC) performance standards and any laws and regulations
applicable in the country of implementation of the Contract.

III. Provision of Documentation

By signing this Letter of Intent, we confirm that we shall provide all necessary documentation for
the Grantee and the IFE to quarterly verify that i) the reported number of jobs created are
accurate, ii) that the newly created jobs fulfil at least the prevailing statutory legal requirement
regarding social security, iii) that the additional benefits offered to the new employees are
accurate and iv) that we will further provide any additional information necessarily requested by
IFE to verify compliance with the aspects as outlined above.

IV. Signature

Name of signatory: __________________________

Position of signatory: __________________________
Name of entity: __________________________

Signature: ___________________________________

Date: ___________________________________

45
Annex 6 Eligibility Conditions and Lists of Required Documents

Please note: All documents required must be copies of the originals. For documents established in other languages than English or French
translations must be provided (translations have not to be certified at Concept Note Stage, but must be certified at the Full Project Proposal
stage)
Annex 6.1: Eligibility conditions and list of required documents for Applicants

Requirement for Supporting Documentation

Topic Description
Concept Note Stage Full Project Proposal Stage
When applying as an individual entity;
o Must be a separate legal entity registered in
the concerned country. The exact type of legal
form must be disclosed in the application form.
o Must be duly registered and operating under all
licenses required for a given line of business in For private entities:
the concerned country. o Any changes occurred between
Submission of
When applying as a Consortium of several entities, the Concept Note Stage and the
o Commercial register from applicant and
The consortium must nominate one lead applicant submission date of the Full
partners (translated into French/English
amongst its entities. The lead applicant need not Project Proposal must be
in case it is in Arabic)
necessarily be from the respective country. declared and supporting
o Business licenses for all partners (if
Registration o All applicants of the consortium must each be documentation must be provided.
applicable)
a separate legal entity registered in the o In case of having submitted
concerned country, in Africa or EU/EFTA. translated documents during the
For public entities, Civil Society and Non- Concept Note Stage, notarised
o The exact type of legal form must be disclosed
Governmental Organisations: certified translations of these
in the application form. Entities registered
outside of the country, EU/EFTA or Africa are Submission of: documents are required
not eligible o Legal acts of establishment
o At least one member of the applying
consortium must be duly registered and
operating under all licenses required for the
given line of business in the country purpose of
the specific Call for Proposal.

46
 Requirement for Supporting Documentation
Topic Description
Concept Note Stage Full Project Proposal Stage
All applicants (the Individual, Lead Applicant, and o Any changes occurred between
Consortium members) must have been operating the Concept Note Stage and the
for a minimum of 3 years at the time of submitting submission date of the Full
the IFE grant application. Project Proposal must be
Exception: o Registration documents as above declared and supporting
Years of documentation must be provided.
Operation If the local consortium entity has been in operation o Proof that the entity has been active
for less than 3 years, it would still qualify, (i) if it is a during the last 3 years o In case of having submitted
subsidiary of one or more of the other consortium translated documents during the
partners, and (ii) if all other consortium partners Concept Note Stage, notarised
have been in operation over 3 years. However, this certified translations of these
entity cannot be the lead applicant. documents are required
The following conditions must be met by all The following documentation must be
applicants (Individual, Lead, and Consortium submitted:
members if applicable): o Declaration of Undertaking signed by all o Any changes occurred between
o No applying entity can be engaged in activities parties (Individual applicant, Lead the Concept Note Stage and the
that feature on the IFC Exclusion List as applicant, Consortium members) (see submission date of the Full
adapted by KfW1 or otherwise contravene Annex 2) Project Proposal must be
KfW’s Environmental and Social Guidelines2 o Declaration of Commitment (see Annex declared and supporting
o The project does not feature on the IFC 3) documentation must be provided.
Exclusion List as adapted by KfW or otherwise o Confirmation of compliance with IFC
contravene KfW’s Environmental and Social Exclusion List / KfW Environmental and
Compliance
Guidelines Social requirements
o Private sector applicants (lead entity
Know-Your Customer (KYC)
and consortium partners)
Documentation:
Disclosure of the names of shareholders / board of o must provide a document outlining the
directors / owners up to the level of ultimate ownership structure including a list of all o Proof of registration (Commercial
beneficial owners, or (in the case of entities without shareholders Register Extract, alternatively
shareholders) the main sources of their annual o Disclosure of all related companies (for Certificate of Incorporation or
budget or capital endowment lead company and consortium partners) other document)
o Information on the executive o List of members of the Board and
management / decision makers / Management/Executive

1 https://www.kfw.de/PDF/Download-Center/Konzernthemen/Nachhaltigkeit/Ausschlussliste_EN.pdf and
2 https://www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/PDF/Download-Center/PDF-Dokumente-Richtlinien/Nachhaltigkeitsrichtlinie_EN.pdf

47
 Requirement for Supporting Documentation
Topic Description
Concept Note Stage Full Project Proposal Stage
shareholders (if applicable) / ultimate Committee (including their birth
beneficial owners (if applicable) dates and nationalities)
including names, nationalities, and o List of authorized signatories
dates of birth in the Concept Note o Passport scans of authorized
signatories
o Document showing the specimen
signatures of signatories
(Certificate of Incumbency)
o Information regarding ownership
structure
o Legal entity identifier
o Taxpayer registration certificate
Private sector companies must fulfil the following
criteria:
General:
o Average yearly turnover must be greater than
o Declaration confirming that applicant
or equal to 50% of requested grant volume for
will cover any potential taxes/levies
the job creation component (if in consortium,
applied in the applicant’s country on the o Any updated document
this turnover requirement applies to the
grant received o Notarial certified translation of
combined turnover average of the entire
consortium), o Statement of Applicant that he will bear Arabic Financial Statements (if
Financial o Debt-equity ratio less than or equal to 4.0 (in any costs overruns applicable)
Capacity last financial year), Private entities: o Submitted financial documents
(Individual or o Positive EBITDA in at least 2 out of past 3 o Certified financial statements covering will need to be notary certified in
Lead years. the past three years for the applicant, order for the application to
Applicants) All public sector applicants, Civil Society and for consortium partner entities (if proceed
Non-Governmental Organisations must fulfil the applicable) and for any parent o Additional financial documents
following criteria: companies, translated into from parent / sister / related
French/English in case it is in Arabic. companies if demanded by IFE
o Average yearly budget must be greater than or
equal to 25% of requested grant for the job Public Entities, CSOs and NGOs:
creation component; o Information about the applicant’s overall
o Demonstrate positive budget balance in at annual budget for the past three years,
least 2 out of the past 3 years;

48
 Requirement for Supporting Documentation
Topic Description
Concept Note Stage Full Project Proposal Stage
o Confirmation of financial capability to cover o Letter of Commitment from the
potential deficits during the operational phase responsible public authority and if
of the project; possible proof of authorised budget.
o confirm their own contribution at submission of o Information on budget for the entity for
the Concept Note. each of the past three years.
Private sector partners must
o demonstrate positive EBITDA in at least 2 out Note: Entities not subject to the legal audit
of past 3 years. obligation of their accounts must document
Financial Public sector partners, CSO and NGOs must their budgetary balance over the past three
Capacity years through other documented means.
o confirm their own contribution and provide
(Consortium clear commitment to undertake and fund the
Members) project according to their consortium
agreements;
o Demonstrate neutral/positive budget balance in
at least 2 out of the past 3 years.
o Power of Attorney for signing the
The lead applicant is responsible for the quality potential grant agreement on behalf of
and truth of information provided. The lead the applicant (in case of consortia,
applicant will be the one signing the Grant signed by each partner)
Lead Agreement with IFE. o In case of consortia, Declaration of In case of a modification, submit
Applicant
Hence the lead applicant must be the main Collaboration between consortium relevant documents
Requirements
stakeholder, who will implement the project partners and signed by all partners
and be responsible for its full execution, as well delegating responsibility to the Lead
as all monitoring / reporting obligations. Applicant and describing the role of
each partner (see Annex 4)
Applicants must demonstrate the technical o CVs of key personnel
capacity to undertake and implement the project at o It will be an advantage if the applicant
Technical
hand. At a minimum this means offering a sufficient can also present Project references for Any additional CVs
Capacity
number of capable personnel to lead the project other comparable projects which the
implementation. applicant has undertaken

49
Annex 6.2: Eligibility conditions and list of required documents for Projects (Job Creation Component)
Please note: Applicants may receive additional requirements for information / documents to be provided with their Full Project Proposal as a result of the
Concept Note evaluation. Non-fulfilment of these requirements will lead to a disqualification of the application.

Documentation to be provided
Topic Description
Concept Note Stage Full Project Proposal Stage

The applicant must

All projects co-financed by IFE must take place
Project in the countries of the Call for Proposals. The o state the intended location of the project incl. If applicable, provide independent
Location job creation impact of the project must also take site plan valuation report
place in the countries of the Call for Proposals. o demonstrate the availability of land (copy of
landowner / lease certificates)
Compulsory:
o Basic cash flow projection (format will be
provided)
o Funding plan and funding sources incl.
contingency budget
o Investment components and cost estimates
o Drawings, initial architectural designs o Detailed cash flow projection
IFE only accepts projects that have already o Bills of Quantities incl. 5% retention provision of
been progressed to an advanced level of o Basic Implementation Plan the requested IFE grant
maturity as evidenced by the preparatory o Cost quotations
Project Optional: o Market Study
activities of the applicant.
Maturity o Cost quotations o Technical Studies (including
IFE reserves the right to cancel a committed o Market Study feasibility studies, detailed
financing contribution if this condition is not o Technical Study (e.g. feasibility studies, etc.) architectural designs etc.)
fulfilled. o Procurement Plan o Detailed Implementation Plan
o Procurement Plan
Please note:
While some documents are not mandatory, it is
highly recommended to provide as much details
as possible. Projects with a good evidence of
their maturity have higher chances of being
invited to submit a Full Project Proposal

50
 Documentation to be provided
Topic Description
Concept Note Stage Full Project Proposal Stage
It is a condition that the investment can be
started within a maximum period of 12 months o Description of key activities and estimated
after signing the Grant Agreement (preparatory timing
phase); o Timeline for project preparation activities • Detailed description of activities
Investment
(max. 12 months) and timelines by submission of
Phase The investment phase of a project may not
a clear and precise
Timeframe exceed 24 months; o Timeline for the investment period (max. 24
implementation plan
Total time from the date of effectiveness of the months)
grant agreement until the end of the investment o Overall timeline shall not exceed 30 months
phase cannot exceed 30 months.

Prove that the financial contribution from IFE The following list offers potential reasons for
is essential for the implementation of the additionality:
project, i.e. the contribution does not replace o Banks and/or investment funds do not offer
but rather supplement other options of funding suitable financing products that match the
currently available to the applicant. investment terms of the project;
Please note that IFE will not approve a grant: o Applicants cannot provide sufficient
collateral to obtain loans from local banks for
o if the project has already begun and is at a the investment project (demonstrated by, for
stage beyond the planning phase (except example, letter of rejection for a loan from a
land acquisition/lease and preparatory local bank stating lack of collateral as a
activities); reason for rejection); o Submission of supplementary
o if the applicant/parent or any related o The project’s cashflow is positive, but key documents, proving the
Additionality company has sufficient liquid funds to carry financial indicators do not support the indicated reason for
out the investment; financial viability of the investment – additionality
o if the applicant (incl. its parent and related specifically, the Internal Rate of Return is far
companies) can secure sufficient external too low.
financing without the IFE grant; or o Applicants or their parent / related
o if the project shall be implemented due to companies have not sufficient liquid funds to
legal requirements. realize the investment (demonstrated by
Please note that it is the obligation of the certified financial statements and
Applicant to prove that he has exhausted all explanations).
reasonable funding options and was not o The IFE grant creates a significant additional
successful in obtaining the required funds. This number of jobs in the first two years of the
does include lending institutions (banks, operation phase (at least 20% additional in

51
 Documentation to be provided
Topic Description
Concept Note Stage Full Project Proposal Stage
leasing, factoring) and also equity investors the first year of operation compared to the
(investment funds or holding companies). baseline scenario).
Insufficient or no-convincing justification of the
additionality criterion will disqualify the project
for an IFE grant.
The proposed project should not cause Evidence that the proposal does not cause o Submission of supplementary
significant negative market distortions or lead to market distortion by providing documents, proving the non-
market dominance/monopoly for the applicant. o Market analysis showing the state of the existence of market distortion
In particular, IFE may not be able to offer co- market for the product(s), competitors etc.;
financing in the event that: o Clear description of the existing market
o The specific product market has less than 5 situation and forecast, how the IFE grant
providers (exception introduction of a new project will change the market position of the
product); and/or applicant.
Absence of
Market o The applicant has a market share >20%
Distortion before the investment and/or might reach a
market share of >40% after the investment
project to be co-financed by IFE
If either of the two above criteria is met based on
available market information, or if no sufficiently
meaningful market data is available, IFE will
examine the risk of possible market distortion in
more detail to arrive at a final recommendation
to be submitted as part of the evaluation report.
As the primary aim of the IFE is the creation of Estimation of o Detailed time plan for creation
new jobs, applicants have to prove that the o Number of new jobs (KPI 1) of jobs at own and 3rd entities
proposed investment will lead to new and good o Number of existing employees who benefit o Detailed planning (professions)
Key jobs (see definition in section 1 of this for own and 3rd party entities
Performance from improved working conditions and social
document). protection as a result of the investment (KPI o LoIs for at least an additional
Indicators
(KPI) Maximum grant costs / job created shall not 2) 25% of jobs to be created at 3rd
exceed 10.000 EUR o Number of employees who will participate in entities
vocational and higher education measures
as a result of the investment (KPI 3)

52
 Documentation to be provided
Topic Description
Concept Note Stage Full Project Proposal Stage
In case of jobs to be created at 3rd party entities,
provision of Letters of Intent (see Annex 5) for at
least 25% of the jobs (KPI 1).
Applicants who claim bonus points for a o Information and submission of documents / o Submission of supplementary
contribution to youth employment, to Feminist studies that provide sufficient details on the documents, proving the
Bonus Development Policy, to Just Transition or to justification of the bonus aspects claimed. evidence of the bonus criteria
Criteria synergies with other projects of the Special (Please note: without sufficient evidence IFE claimed.
Initiative, must provide sufficient evidence (see reserves the right at its own discretion to reject
Annex 8 for details). any bonus aspect claimed)
Applicants will have to provide information on Information on eight performance standards incl. o Any additional or updated
Environmen- environmental and social aspects of the project. o Potential E&S risks and impacts documentation on
tal and Social Please note that projects falling into Cat. A o Labour, Health and Safety aspects environmental or social aspects
Issues according to KFW guidelines are not eligible. o Type of land used for the project
o Community Health, Safety and Security
Applicants must demonstrate that the land for o Land ownership documentation (provision of o Independent valuation of assets
the planned investment is available. Please note land title or lease agreement) provided as own-contribution
in this context that IFE will not finance the o List of planned in-kind contributions and
acquisition or lease costs of land. values necessary for the planned project
Values for land, existing buildings and Optional:
equipment can be accepted in the financing plan o External independent valuation of in-
as in-kind contribution under the following kind contributions
Land and in- conditions:
kind o The contributions are necessary for the
contributions operation of the foreseen project.
o The size of the contributed land or building
including its facilities is required for the
foreseen project.
o The value of the in-kind contributions is
verified by an independent entity.
o The total value of the in-kind contribution
does not exceed 85% of the total eligible
investment costs covered by the applicant.

53
Annex 6.3: Eligibility conditions and list of required documents for Social Protection Measure co-financed by IFE
Please note: Applicants may receive additional requirements for information / documents to be provided with their Full Project Proposal as a result of the
Concept Note evaluation. Non-fulfilment of these requirements will lead to a disqualification of the application.

Documentation to be provided
Topic Description
Concept Note Stage Full Project Proposal Stage

The social protection component must also take The applicant must
Location
place in the countries of the Call for Proposals. o state the intended location of the component

IFE’s aim is also, to contribute in particular to an o Information and submission of documents /

improvement of the social protection of studies that provide sufficient details on the
employees, their families and other people. justification of the bonus aspects claimed. o Submission of supplementary
Bonus Therefore, applicants may receive bonus points documents, proving the
Criteria during the evaluation process in case they are evidence of the bonus criteria
already or will offer substantial benefits above (Please note: without sufficient evidence IFE claimed.
the relevant legal requirements (see Annex 8 for reserves the right at its own discretion to
details). reject any bonus aspect claimed)

54
For applications with requested co-financing for social protection measures

Compulsory:
o Basic description of envisaged social
protection measures (e.g. type of insurances
or type of foreseen investments); see
chapter 3.1 for eligible measures. The
description should include the underlying
reasons for the chosen specific measure.
o Description of target groups and estimations o Detailed description of
for number of benefitting people envisaged social protection
o Cost estimates for measures incl. preliminary measures
price offers o Final cost quotations for social
o Concept for sustainability beyond the co- protection measures (e.g. pro-
financing period forma bills for investment cost,
IFE only accepts co-financing for social
o Funding concept for coverage of own offers from insurance
protection components that have already been
contributions companies etc.) incl.
progressed to an advanced level of maturity as
o In case of construction, refurbishment comparison with mandatory
evidenced by the preparatory activities of the
Maturity measures etc. drawings, initial architectural minimum requirements
applicant.
designs o Evidence of number of
IFE reserves the right to cancel a committed o Bills of Quantities benefitting people
financing contribution if this condition is not o Basic Implementation Plan o If applicable, technical studies
fulfilled. (e.g. detailed architectural
Optional:
o Cost quotations (e.g. pro-forma bills for designs etc.)
investment cost, offers from insurance o Detailed concept for
companies etc.) sustainability beyond the co-
o Technical Studies (e.g. detailed design financing period
studies or similar) o Detailed implementation plan

Please note:
While some documents are not mandatory, it is
highly recommended to provide as much details
as possible. Co-financing of social protection
measures with a good evidence of their maturity
have higher chances of being accepted by IFE

55
For applications with requested co-financing for investment costs of social protection measures (construction and equipment costs for the
establishment of a Kindergarten, health care centre, conversion of workplaces with the aim of making them more accessible for persons with disabilities)

Investment It is a condition that the investment can be • Detailed description of activities

o Description of key activities and estimated and timelines by submission of
Phase concluded within the same time frame of the job
timing a clear and precise
Timeframe creation component.
implementation plan
Applicants must demonstrate that the land for The applicant must o Independent valuation of assets
the planned investment is available. Please note o state the intended location of the component provided as own-contribution
in this context that IFE will not finance the (incl. site plan in case of a social protection
acquisition or lease costs of land. investment component)
Values for land, existing buildings and o if applicable, demonstrate the availability of
equipment can be accepted in the financing plan land (copy of landowner / lease certificates)
as in-kind contribution under the following o Land ownership documentation (provision of
conditions: land title or lease agreement)
o The contributions are necessary for the o List of planned in-kind contributions and
Land and in-
operation of the foreseen social protection values necessary for the planned project
kind
contributions component. Optional:
o The size of the contributed land or building o External independent valuation of in-kind
including its facilities is required for the contributions
foreseen project.
o The value of the in-kind contributions is
verified by an independent entity.
o The total value of the in-kind contribution for
the social protection component does not
exceed 85% of the total eligible investment
costs covered by the applicant.

56
Annex 7 Know Your Customer Documentation

Applicants have to submit together with the Full Project Proposal the following documents:

o Proof of registration (Commercial Register Extract, alternatively Certificate of

Incorporation or other document). In case that the registration document is in Arabic, a
translation in French or English must be provided
o List of members of the Board and Management/Executive Committee (including their
birth dates and nationalities)
o List of authorized signatories
o Passport scans of authorized signatories
o Document showing the specimen signatures of signatories (Certificate of Incumbency)
o Information regarding ownership structure
o Legal entity identifier
o Taxpayer registration certificate

PLEASE NOTE:
• IFE reserves the right to request additional information from the applicant(s), related
entities or other entities, who have a business relationship with the applicant.

57
Annex 8 Bonus Points

IFE’s primary goal is the creation of new jobs, but the Facility prefers projects, which contribute
significantly to an improvement in various aspects, in particular social protection.

PLEASE NOTE:
• The applicant must provide evidence for any bonus points claimed, for example:
o For bonus points related to energy or CO2 savings detailed studies have to be
provided.
o For bonus points related to social protection the applicant must provide details
on the mandatory minimum requirement in the country concerned and the
additional services provided.
o For bonus points related to formal employment in informal sectors the applicant
must provide studies / reference data.
• The CN evaluation exercise may also involve an onsite visit and/or video conference by
IFE staff members to assess the information provided by the applicant.
• Bonus points will not be awarded in case IFE - at its own discretion - considers the
documentation as insufficient.
• Successful applicants are obliged to report and provide evidence for the bonus points
accepted by IFE during the investment period and during the first 3 years of the
operational period.

Potential Score
General Bonus Criteria
Max. 23

1. Contribution to youth employment

More than 25% of jobs created (KPI 1a and KPI 1b) will be for youth (15-24 years) 4

2. Contribution to Feminist Development Policy

If at least one of the following criteria is fulfilled, 7 bonus points are awarded

o Over 50% of the applicant's shares are owned by women (if consortium, lead
applicant)

o At least 30% of top management positions or seats on the supervisory

board/board of directors of the applicant are held by women

o KPI 1: Over 50% of new jobs are for women - or - if average proportion of
7
women in the respective sector is less than 50%, then proportion of new jobs
for women must be 20 percentage points above the actual sector average
or at least 50%.

o KPI 2: Over 50% of existing employees benefitting from improvement of

working conditions, social protection or income, are women. If average
proportion of women in the respective sector is less than 50%, then the
proportion of women must be 20 percentage points above the actual sector
average or at least 50%.

58
2. Contribution to Feminist Development Policy

o KPI 3: Over 50% of the benefitting people are women. If average proportion
of women in the respective sector is less than 50%, then the proportion of
women who benefit must be 20 percentage points above the actual sector
average or at least 50%.

If at least one of the following criteria is fulfilled, 3 bonus points are awarded

o Over 50% of new employees benefitting from improvement of social

protection, are women. If average proportion of women in the respective
sector is less than 50%, then the proportion of women must be 20
percentage points above the actual sector average or at least 50%.
3
o Specific improvement of working conditions for women (proportion of women
among employees/apprentices is at least 10%)
- Changes to corporate policies (gender diversity measures)
- Infrastructure improvements aimed at women (e.g., facilitation of
operation of certain machines for parts of the workforce)
- Increased safety for women in the workplace or work environment (e.g.,
secure transportation, more lighting or enhanced security measures)

Total Maximum Score Feminist Development Policies Max. 7

3. Contribution to Just Transition

Projects with an investment focus on Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency of

10
Buildings, Organic Agriculture/Fishing or Digitalisation

If at least one of the following criteria is fulfilled, 7 bonus points are awarded

o Project investment focus is in one of the following sectors, environmentally

friendly transport/e-mobility, , sustainable forestry, recycling of raw materials,
energy- or water-saving technologies, ecotourism

o The project contributes significantly to improving energy and resource efficiency

(at least 25% savings).

o The project reduces CO2 emissions by at least 25%.

o Projects with a focus on information and communication technology under at 7

least one of the following conditions:
- The majority of new jobs will be created in this sector.
- Development of new business models through digital solutions.
- Creation of higher efficiencies at the company level through digital
transformation processes (without job losses).
- Expansion of ICT products and services to disadvantaged population
groups.
o The project is part of a global supply chain through the export of products or
agricultural raw materials, and it achieves an improvement in environmental or
social standards beyond what is legally required

Total Maximum Score Just Transition Max. 10

59
4. Contribution to synergies

Based on the information provided in the concept note, the project and applicant
foresee positive synergies with other SI projects. 2

Total maximum score for General Bonus Criteria 23

60
 Potential Score
Bonus Points for Contribution to Social Protection
Max. 12
Please note:
• Bonus points can only be awarded for measures, which are already or will be implemented by
the applicant for new employees (KPI 1).1
• Measures, which are already implemented for existing employees, are not eligible for co-
financing
Improved Insurance for employees and their families

o The project is awarded 4 bonus points for each of the following criteria (related
to new jobs – KPI 1):
- The applicant provides significant contributions to health insurance of its
employees
- The applicant provides significant contributions to occupational accident and
disability insurance of its employees
- The applicant provides significant contributions to pension schemes of its Max. 12
employees
Please note: Bonus points will only be awarded in case of a) at least 25% higher
employer's contribution or b) at least 25% improved benefit / benefit level (money or
coverage period etc.) compared to the statutory requirements. The contributions can
be achieved through complementary state or private offerings that are coherent and
in no way contradictory to the national security systems.

o The project is awarded 2 bonus points for each of the following criteria (related
to new jobs – KPI 1):
- Employer offers his employees additional company pension schemes
(subject to co-financing by the employer)
- Employer offers his employees unemployment insurance schemes (subject
to co-financing by the employer) Max. 4
Please note: Bonus points will only be awarded in case the offers are above the
prevailing statutory requirements in the concerned country and in case the offers are
co-financed by the employer by at least 30%. The contributions can be achieved
through complementary state or private offerings that are coherent and in no way
contradictory to the national social security systems.

o The project provides health insurance for family members of the employee
(related to new jobs – KPI 1)
Please note: Bonus points will only be awarded in case of a) at least 25% higher 4
employer's contribution or b) at least 25% improved benefit / benefit level (money or
coverage period etc.) compared to the statutory requirements.

Promotion of formalisation of jobs

o The project is awarded 4 bonus points, if it offers social protection to people in

informal or semi-formal employment relationships. An example would be the
provision of social benefits to people with whom the company in question 4
regularly works, but with whom no regular employment relationship subject to
social security contributions exists (e.g. sales agents, suppliers).

o The project creates new formal jobs in sectors with traditionally high proportion
2
of informal employment

1 Note that eligible measures include both already established offerings or newly introduced offerings as long as they are available
to new employees (KPI 1).

61
Other Social Protection Elements

o The project is awarded 4 bonus point if at least one of the following aspects is
fulfilled (related to new jobs – KPI 1):
- The employer offers extended maternity/paternity leave to its employees
- The employer offers (extended) sick leave times with continued wage
payment
- The employer offers (extended) family benefits (e.g. child allowance) 4
- The employer offers (extended) sick leave for caring of family members in
need of care
Please note: Bonus points will only be awarded in case the offers are above the
prevailing statutory requirements in the concerned country and in case the offers are
financed by the employer.

o The project is awarded 4 bonus points if it offers other additional social

protection benefits, which benefit employees, their families or disadvantaged
4
groups (e.g. establishment of child care facilities, construction measures
benefitting disabled people, establishment of a health care centre etc.)

Total maximum score for Social Protection Max. 12

62
Annex 9 Minimum Wages

People counted under KPI 1 have to earn at least the following minimum wages:

Monthly minimum income in local

Country Method
currencies
Non agriculture: 1.039 GHS
Ghana Poverty line
Agriculture: 612 GHS
Public sector: 4.500 MAD *
Morocco Minimum wage Private Sector: 3.120 MAD *
Agriculture: 2.303 MAD *

Rwanda Poverty line 52.621 RWF

Non agriculture: 64.247 XOF

Senegal Minimum wage
Agriculture: 41.048 XOF

* = provisional

63