Application for OXFAM: EDC SME Development Programme in Nigeria closes April 21

Companies operating on SMEs scales, provided they have a clear social and/or environmental impact strategy, are being called to apply for funding opportunity from Oxfam International.

With a purpose to help create lasting solutions to the injustice of poverty, through empowering people to create a future that is secure, just, and free from poverty, the organisation, through an initiative, OXFAM – EDC SME Development Programme, is seeking to empower SMEs who have the potential to contribute to sustainable growth through increased employment, higher income and relevant products and services for people living in poverty, particularly small holder farmers, youth and women.

Therefore, the organisation is calling for entrepreneurs/managers who are 25 to 45 years of age, with a company annual turnover of N40 million and above, with employees between 10 and 250.

Other criteria include: the company should exist at least 2 years and the company must have social or environmental impact vision and the potential of your business to create jobs.

The organisation said it the objective of the programme is to help SMEs live up to their potential through its tailor made business development services to support SMEs in Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda and Vietnam.

“We select businesses based on an assessment of their plans and financial potential and on the social impact that they expect to deliver for their community. To ensure businesses deliver on the latter, social impact is monitored consistently from the start and measured over a period of time,” the organisation said on its website.

Application for this programmes closes on April 21 and those selected are expect to pay a participation fee of N75,000.

“We expect entrepreneurs to contribute to the costs of the business development support to some extent,” said.