MENNONITE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATES (MEDA)
CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR SMALL SCALE BUSINESSES OPERATING ALONG THE RICE, SOYBEAN AND GROUNDNUT VALUE CHAINS
MEDA is an international economic development organization; whose mission is to create innovative business solutions to poverty. Founded in 1953 by a group of compassionate business professionals, we partner with the poor to start or grow small and medium-sized businesses in developing regions around the world.
Our expertise includes a full range of economic development tools: financial services, improved technology, business training, better access to market and equity investment. Our work most often focuses on women, youth and the rural poor.
We believe that all people deserve the opportunity to earn a livelihood and that unleashing entrepreneurship is a powerful way to alleviate poverty.
MEDA’s youth Entrepreneurship and Women’s Empowerment in Northern Nigeria Project (Nigeria WAY) in Bauchi State is a five-year project that assists economically active women and youth to increase their income, specifically, those who are involved in agro-processing in the Rice, Soybean, and Groundnut value chains (3 Value Chains).
Using a private sector approach, MEDA Nigeria works with small scale businesses particularly those led by women and youth, to ensure they are included in the market system by supporting agro-processing with smart incentives using a market sector approach. Additionally, the project will work with communities and families to improve the environment where girls grow up and join the market economy.
Purpose of the EOI
MEDA seek to identify eligible women-owned Small-Scale Businesses (SSBs)-Small Scale Businesses is defined as businesses that have capital under 10 Million Naira, have a business premise; might be part of a house but demarcated and engage labour- along the Rice, Groundnut & Soybean value chains (3 Value Chains) for a prospective partnership with MEDA. These SSBs should be operating in Dass, Bauchi, Ganjuwa, Jama’are, Katagum, Toro or Warji LGA’s (our target LGAs).
Eligibility criteria for SSBs
1. It must be a woman owned or women led Small-Scale Business (SSB)-A Small-Scale Business is defined as businesses that have capital under 10 Million Naira, have a business premise; might be part of a house but demarcated and engage labour
2. It must be operating along the Rice, Groundnut and Soybean value chains
3. Its base of operations must be in one or more of our 7 target LGAs namely Bauchi, Dass, Ganjuwa, Jama’are, Katagum, Toro or Warji LGAs
4. It must have been in operation for at least 1 year and it is presently in operations
5. Must have the desired willingness and commitment for growth and development
