Ongera Igishoro Project for young Rwandan graduates ( 3,900$ seed grant for innovative business ideas)

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Application Deadline: September 30, 2024

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA) through Chief Skills Office, is pleased to invite qualified young graduates who have returned from internships abroad to submit proposals for support.

These proposals should aim to sustain their current enterprises and effectively implement business ideas that leverage the skills and experience gained from abroad. This initiative aligns with the Government of Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to manage labour migration while enhancing support for specific demographic groups, particularly Rwandan graduates returning from internships abroad. The objective is to safeguard the welfare and interests of Rwandan migrant workers and contribute to Rwanda’s overall economic development.

Objective

This initiative aims to facilitate the seamless reintegration of Rwandan youth graduates who return from internships abroad by providing support to develop or enhance their project ideas, with a focus on fostering innovation and competitiveness, specifically within the agriculture, tourism, and hospitality sectors. It seeks to increase self-employment among these graduates by focusing on market-oriented opportunities that add value, facilitate transformation, and align production with market demands. Additionally, it will enable young graduates to apply their acquired skills to benefit communities and stimulate economic growth.

Eligibility Criteria:

A project or business idea must meet the following criteria to be considered for selection:

1.  It must be owned by a Rwandan Youth Graduate returning from internship abroad.
2.  The owner of the project or business idea should have returned to Rwanda since 2021.
3.  The proposed project or business idea should exhibit the capacity for generating employment opportunities or providing mentorship and the possibility of transferring skills.
4. The project should be innovative.
5.  The project or business idea to benefit from this facility should either be in Agri-business or Tourism & Hospitality.
6. The suggested project or business concept must ensure environmental sustainability.
7. Additional favorable aspects that will be taken into account include:
   1. -Good financial record.
   2. The business must have been operating for less than five years.
   3. A significant personal investment to run an innovative business concept.

Out of the chosen projects, 70% will come from existing innovative businesses, whereas 30% will be devoted to new business ideas. At least 30% of these innovative projects or concepts should be owned by women.

Funding Details

1.  The Projects and innovative business ideas will be Grants by UN – Migration (IOM) Rwanda Country Office as a lumpsum to the projects in the Award event that will be organized jointly by MIFOTRA, UN – MIGRATION (IOM) and invited key stakeholders as per the sectors mentioned in this call for application.
2. The ceiling of the grant or seed capital is 3,900$ equivalent to five million (5, 000,000 Frw) per each Projects or innovative business ideas.
3. The call for application is intended to select Sixty (60) best projects and innovative business ideas that will undergo an intensive training and pitching exercise for 15 days after which 30 top most project and innovative business ideas will be awarded.

Submission Details:

• Interested candidates can Download this application form , Fill it and submit their applications/project proposals, along with an accompanying letter to the Chief Skills Officer outlining the support needed, to [email protected]
• Make sure to specify your preferred interview center.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Ongera Igishoro Project