Call for Projects Proposal for TVET Training Providers to Apply for Window 2 of the Skills, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Fund

• October 22, 2024 8:30 am to November 8, 2025 12:00 pm
• MoHERST
• Bijilo, Banjul, Gambia
• 5406312

NOTICE NO. SIEF_W2_01/2024

SKILLS, INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SIE) FUND

CALL FOR PROJECTS PROPOSAL FOR TVET TRAINING PROVIDERS

1. Project Background

The Gambia, with its vibrant youth population and commitment to development, is poised for a promising future, yet faces several challenges. In the realm of basic education, the focus is on improving learning outcomes, particularly in the early grades, to ensure every child acquires necessary foundational skills. The Government of The Gambia recognized and prioritized the challenge of having a higher quality and relevance in youth, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) to meet labour market demands. For the large population living in poverty, the goal is to provide a second chance through access to social protection measures, skills training, and income-generating opportunities. These challenges, while significant, are being addressed with determination and a vision for a resilient, inclusive, skilled and equitable Gambia.

To address these challenges, The Gambia Resilience, Inclusion, Skills, and Equity Project (The Gambia RISE Project – P197233) is a multi-sectoral, five-year initiative of The Government of The Gambia, funded by the World Bank. The project aims to increase the foundational skills of students in early grades (Component 1), provide job-relevant training to youth (Component 2), and boost income-generating opportunities, including for the poor and vulnerable (Component 3), in The Gambia. The Gambia’s National Development Plan (2023-2027) prioritizes Human Capital Development (Pillar IV) and Empowerment, Social Inclusion and Leaving No One Behind (Pillar VI). The RISE project is aligned with the Government’s Education Sector Strategic Plan 2016-2030 and The Gambia National Social Protection Policy 2015-2025.

The project is being implemented by multiple Implementing Entities (IEs): the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (MoBSE), the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (MoHERST), and the National Nutrition Agency/National Social Protection Secretariat (NaNA/NSPS). Each of these IEs will lead technical activities within their respective domains. The RISE Project is coordinated and managed by a Central Project Coordination Unit (CPCU) within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs.

2. Objectives of Window 2 of the SIE Fund

As part of Component 2 of the RISE Project, the SIE Fund has launched a funding programme that promotes the development of skills in technical and vocational training in programmes relevant to the needs of The Gambia economy, taking into account the country's strategic priorities and helping to adopt a demand-driven approach, involving a stronger partnership with the productive sector.

The purpose of this notice is to lay down the basis for the process of submitting applications and selecting proposals for the funding of projects linked to vocational training in accordance with the procedures in force in the SIE Fund Manual. This window will provide training grants, offering competitive funding for TVET institutions to enrol youths and secondary school graduates in quality training programs in The Gambia.

1. 1. Expected results of Window 2

Institutions are expected to align their proposed training programs with level 4 (TVET Certificate), level 5 (TVET Diploma / TVET National Diploma), and level 6 (TVET Higher National Diploma / TVET Higher National Diploma) of the Gambia National Qualifications Framework (GNQF). The identified programmes as part of the submission are expected to:

• Increase enrolments in TVET programmes.
• Target vulnerable social groups, including women and physically challenged.
• Produce a graduate rate at least 80 per cent amongst the trainees.
• Ensure that the drop-out rate per training course must not exceed 20 per cent of trainees.
• Create an employability rate of at least 70 per cent, six (6) months after completion of the training.

*Note: Achievement of the targets in the indicators highlighted are binding for receiving the last tranche of funding as per the payment plan for Window 2.

3.  Eligibility of Institutions - Beneficiaries

The following institutions are eligible to participate in the competition as main beneficiaries:

• Public or private training providers registered and accredited by the National Accreditation, and Quality Assurance Authority (NAQAA).

Beneficiaries (training providers) must comply with the following requirements:

•   Not be in default in relation to a financial support granted by a similar fund;
• No case of liability with a financial institution;
• Must have proper financial management system; and,
• Should have their tax and social security situation regularised.

The eligibility analysis will be carried out in the process of review the applications and in releasing the disbursements.

4.  Proposal Eligibility

The proposal submitted must cover all the pre-requisites set out in this section, and failure to fulfil any of the proposal requirements will render the submission ineligible for evaluation. A beneficiary institution can submit only one proposal which may contain more than one programme as per this call for proposals. If more than one proposal is submitted by the same institution, only the most responsive one will be considered.

Proposals that involve sub-contracting to third-party training providers for the execution of training actions will be considered ineligible.

1. 1. Proposal requirements

The proposal must be structured in accordance with the Proposal Model provided annexed to this call for proposal document. The details of the proposals must include the following information:

• Provide the learning outcomes of the programmes applied for;
• Provide trainers’ profile including their competences (management team, technical and pedagogical coordination of the training courses, list of trainers and documents proving their professional skills);
• The technical capacities and resources (theoretical and practical training rooms, laboratories, workshops and equipment, internship opportunities) related to the training programmes;
• Description of the target beneficiaries for the training programme and how to mobilise them;
• Indicate the partners to be involved in the delivery of the training programme (internship, industrial placements, externship, field visits, etc.), and their respective responsibilities and contributions during the process;
• Summary of budget items for each training programme;
• Submit a timetable for each training programme, highlighting the main stages (start date, end date, and the period of internship);
• Indicate the strategies in place for integration of the training beneficiaries into the labour market.

Proposals submitted outside the requested proposal structure requirement will be disqualified.

1. 2. Proposal Alignment

The proposal must present one or more specific demands, identified with the productive sectors and aligned with the national priority areas (Agriculture, Engineering, Tourism, Business, and Creative and Performing Arts). The proposal should align with The Gambia’s strategic development goals, as per the new Recovery-Focused National Development Plan (RF-NDP), as well as other key national policies aimed at addressing the country’s critical employment needs. This alignment ensures that the funded training programs contribute meaningfully to national and local economic and social objectives of the nation.

Proposals are also encouraged for programs developed or expanded at accredited TVET institutions, that include content on climate change mitigation and adaptation. Programs refer to certificates and diplomas that include climate-related courses or topics, including, for example, re-greening degraded landscapes, reducing energy transmission and distribution loss, solar energy, enhanced battery storage systems, and generation of biogas from waste management, among others.

There must be a balance between the value of the investment, the number of training programmes proposed and the number of intended beneficiaries.

4.2.1 Alignment to Industry

In addition to the alignment with the RF-NDP, it is important that the proposals indicate how the training is linked to the respective sector industries. Specifically, it should indicate how:

• Agriculture related programmes would help boost agricultural productivity and agribusiness. The programme should demonstrate how the institution will work with employers or representatives that offer internship support and ensure graduates get gainful employment or self-employment after graduation.
• Engineering related programmes would be implemented to enhance productivity on TVET related industries and sectors. The programmes should provide pathways for internships and how industry actors interrelate in the effective delivery of the programme towards employability.
• Tourism related programmes would align with local tourism operators and hospitality agencies towards ensuring the demand for specific skills in hospitality are provided. Submissions under this trade area should prioritize establishing linkages with tourism operators towards creating businesses and providing employment for the hospitality industry.
• ICT related programmes would focus on promoting digitalization and include partnerships with local businesses needing digital skilled workers. These programmes should highlight their collaboration with ICT related industries and their support to the development of digital competencies towards employability.
• Business related programmes would focus on enhancing enterprise development towards ensuring business development and economic empowerment. The link between business training and business development should be clearly articulated in the submissions.
• Creative and Performing Arts programmes to focus on creativity for business development. The training should provide pathways to support creative and performing industries and put in place measures to ensure trainees get employed upon graduation. 

Long-term programs, including diploma and other credentials requiring at least one year of study, are also encouraged.

1. 3. Proposal Structure

Factoring in the proposal requirements identified in 4.1, all proposals must be presented as per the below format:

• Description of the training programme and the areas covered by the training.
• Pedagogical description of the training programme.
• Description of training programme implementation procedures.
• Summary of the budget for implementing the training programme(s) indicated in the proposal.
• Indicate the programme credit hours

5. Priority targeted beneficiary for the training

In the context of this window opening, priority groups are:

• Young people of Gambian nationality or legally resident in the Gambia, aged between 15 and 35;
• Women and women groups.
• People with disabilities and physically challenged.

The above conditions must be proven by the start date of the training programme, entering the data of the selected trainees on the SIE Fund application platform.

6. Financial resources to be granted

The selection of proposals and disbursements will depend on the availability of resources from the SIE Fund, respecting the limit of the amount approved for each proposal and the ranking order defined in the Merit of Evaluation. For more details, please see the SIE Fund Manual. Un-successful proposal(s), feedback will be shared to the affected institution(s) by the SIE Secretariat for an improvement and possibly re-submission in a subsequent round

7. Deadlines

The deadlines for submission proposals is on the 8^th of November 2024 at 12.00PM and should be sent electronically.

8. Sending a proposal

The proposal must be sent electronically via email siefmoherst@gmail.com  in one PDF document, and hard copy to be delivered to the SIE Fund Secretariat at MoHERST. Please use this email address also to submit questions about the proposal.

Proposals submitted after the date and time indicated in the Call for Proposals will not be accepted, regardless of the justifications that may be put forward, and by any means other than those mentioned in the previous point.

9. Evaluation

Applications that fulfil all the requirements will be assessed by an Evaluation Committee. The Evaluation Committee evaluates the eligible proposal with respect to Strategic alignment, technical and pedagogical quality of the training, employability potential, and the inclusion of priority groups.

The criteria for evaluating proposals will be based on the following evaluation:

1. Strategic alignment

• What sectors will benefit from the output of the training.
• Transversal skills in place covering Communication, Conflict management, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Teamwork).
• Partnerships included as part of the submission.

2. Technical and pedagogical quality of the training

• Innovative potential of the training.
• The technical capacity including competencies involved in the training.
• Strategy put in place for attracting trainees.
• Adequacy of the trainer's area of training 

3. Employability Potential

• Internship Strategy in place as part of the curriculum.
• Employability potential of the programme.

4. Priority groups

• Inclusion of priority groups such as gender and physically challenged persons.

10. Further Information

Proposals that do not comply with any of the terms of this competition will be disregarded. By applying to this call, the institutions commit themselves to the veracity of the information declared.

Institutions competing in the call for proposal are subject to the control and auditing mechanisms in force at the SIE Fund.

• • The SIE Fund may ask institutions for adjustments or additional clarifications if necessary. Failure to comply with the request within 5 (five) working days will result in the proposal being eliminated, regardless of the stage of the evaluation.
• • A proposal may be revoked or cancelled at any time, in whole or in part, for reasons of public interest or legal requirement, without this implying any right to compensation or claim of any kind.
• • Once the results have been published, no changes will be accepted to the training activities included in the proposal. Funding awarded to training courses that do not meet all the conditions set out in the call for proposals will be cancelled.
• • Training providers whose Accreditation Licence is three months away from expiring must present evidence of their application for renewal to the Accreditation Body.

Beneficiaries and those affected by Fund projects have the right to complain openly, transparently and without reprisals. To do so, you can use the following means of communication:

• By telephone on the freephone line: 00220 3160194 / 220 2277978
• Complaints book available in the SIE Fund Secretariat
• E-mail: siefmoherst@gmail.com 
• Letter: To be addressed to the SIE Fund Secretariat, MoHERST.