SMART RFA 006

The Small and Medium Enterprise Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Project is a four-year USAID-funded program implemented by DAI. The SMART Project seeks rapid recovery and sustainable revitalization of Palestinian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups following the COVID-19 crisis and other economic shocks. SMART will help the Palestinian private sector regain productivity and build a future of sustainable growth in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

The SMART Project is inviting eligible and qualified SMEs and start-ups to apply for the SMART Circular Economy (SMART-CE) Program. The Program aims to support individual Palestinian SMEs and start-ups interested in circular economy (CE) business opportunities for valorization of waste and byproducts (generating monetary value from otherwise discarded materials), supporting efficient and sustainable use of natural resources, and reducing firms’ overall environmental impact and contribution to climate change.

Target Beneficiaries: Officially registered Palestinian firms (SMEs and start-ups only) that have activities specialized in CE or are interested in CE business opportunities. See request for application (RFA) for more examples of CE business opportunities.

Award Ceiling: Up to USD 100,000 per firm.

Program Support Duration: 12 months.

Eligibility Criteria: To be considered eligible, applicants must be formally registered businesses in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, or Gaza that meet SMART’s parameters of SME or start-up and all other eligibility criteria listed in the RFA. Applicants should either practice CE as their primary business (e.g. recycling facilities) or be seeking to integrate CE into their current business processes (e.g. slaughterhouses adopting production of bone meal to valorize waste).

Selection Criteria:

• The proposed activity supports circular economy (e.g. eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature)
• Financial feasibility of the proposed activity
• Ability to secure cost according to the declared rates
• Verification that the actions in the proposal can be executed within the expected timeframe of 3-12 months
• Commitment to compliance with USAID environmental and social regulations
• Additional consideration will be given if:
  • The firm is owned and/or managed by youth or the firm employs more than 60% youth
  • The firm is owned and/or managed by women or the firm employs more than 60% women

Cost-Share:

Successful applicants will qualify for assistance to support a combined package of research and development (R&D), training, technical assistance (TA), and grants for capital expenditures necessary for planning and implementing specific CE business opportunities. SMART will cover no more that 60% of the cost for the proposed capital expenditure. R&D, trainings, and TA will not count towards the award ceiling and will be covered up to 100% by SMART. 

How to Apply:

Applications are not available.

The program is Closed. 

Webinar Session:

Info Session for Circular Economy (SMART-CE)