BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS PLATFORM
PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT WORKSHOP
RADISSON BLU HOTEL, LAGOS, NIGERIA
29 FEBRUARY & 1 MARCH 2016
INTRODUCTION
This session is to provide information on the
Australian Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade
(DFAT) Business Partnerships Platform (BPP). BPP
is an initiative to engage the private sector in
achievement of DFAT development objectives and
commenced in 2015.
CONTEXT
“Statement on Engaging the Private Sector in Aid and Development - Creating Shared Value Through Partnership”
Hon Julie Bishop, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Trade, 2014
Australia aid program clearly identifies the private sector as an essential partner to achieving sustainable development outcomes
AIM & GOAL OF BPP
AIM - improve the effectiveness of DFAT aid
program by drawing on the wealth of knowledge,
ideas, capabilities & resources that the private sector
has to offer.
GOAL - create scalable shared value partnerships
that advance economic and social conditions in
developing countries.
HOW - provision of grants to business / NGO
partnerships that advance DFAT development
objectives
BENEFIT OF BPP TO BUSINESS
• Strengthened networks
• Access to technical expertise
• Shared funding, risks and rewards
• Opportunity to make a social impact
• Better understanding of DFAT & its potential as
ongoing partner
BENEFIT OF BPP TO DFAT
• Increased volume of funding going to
development
• Access to technical knowledge and expertise
• Shared funding, risk and rewards
• Better understanding of the private sector & its
potential contribution to development
GENDER EQUALITY
• Gender equality essential to good development.
Business engagement with women as employees,
suppliers or customers can drive stronger business
outcomes. All BPP proposals expected to
demonstrate impact on positive gender outcomes
• Additionally, specific stream of funding being
made available for proposals with explicit focus
on gender equality & women’s economic
empowerment
PHASES OF BPP
• Establishment phase Nov 2015 to Nov 2017
• Funding rounds Nov 2015, June 2016 & Dec
2016
• This phase used to test and refine mechanism
• Decision on future of BPP will be made in early
2017
• Potential roll-out post 2017
BASIC APPRAISAL PROCESS
Competitive grants process. 2 stages:
1. Expression of interest (EOI)
2. Full proposal
EOI ELIGIBILITY
• Open to Australian, global and foreign
organizations of all sizes undertaking activities of
a commercial nature (note: not individuals)
• Must satisfy DFAT baseline due diligence
• Registered with business body
• Established financial history
• Not listed on any general sanctions lists
• Other background and reputational checks
• No DFAT staff involvement
• Open to consortia - need identified lead
PROPOSAL ELIGIBILITY
• Submit via “Smartygrants” application systems on
BPP website
• Detail how applicant would implement objectives
of BPP
• Can cover full range of business development
activities – feasibility studies, market research,
investment readiness, capex, training, consulting
• Can include staff costs, office costs, equipment,
workshops, travel, allowances
• DFAT matching contribution will not exceed
AUD 500 k over 12 month period
SAFEGUARDS & CROSS-CUTTING
Proposals must include applicant’s approach to:
•‘do no harm’ and protecting women & girls
•Including people with disabilities
•Child protection
•Minimizing fiduciary risk
All organizations (including all partners in
consortium) must comply with DFAT child
protection policy
STEPS IN APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Call for EOIs
2. EOI submission deadline
3. DFAT conformance check
4. Applicants advised of EOI outcome
5. Detailed business plans for successful EOIs
submitted
6. Partnership implementation commences
EOI ADMIN
1. Check for conformance with BPP investment
priorities
2. Conforming EOIs reviewed and ranked by
relevant DFAT Country Program
3. Rankings and comments passed to BPP Selection
Panel
4. Panel assess proposals against Selection Criteria
5. Panel provides report to DFAT
6. Successful EOIs proceed to Stage 2
7. Unsuccessful applicants notified
FULL APPLICATION ADMIN
1. Applicants invited to Stage 2 subject to DFAT
Baseline Due Diligence & other background
fiduciary & reputational checks
2. Applicants meet DFAT staff to receive feedback
and assistance with development of full business
plans
3. Applicants develop full business plans & submit
to DFAT
4. BPP Selection Panel assesses business plans
against selection criteria as well as relevant past
performance information
FULL APPLICATION ADMIN
5. Successful business plans recommended to
proceed to negotiation
6. Panel provides report to DFAT
7. Unsuccessful business plans may be
recommended for further refinement &
consideration for next round of funding. They
are entitled to written debriefing
CORE SELECTION CRITERIA
DFAT investment priority sectors: PASS / FAIL
• Agriculture, fisheries & water
• Building resistance – humanitarian assistance,
disaster risk reduction & social protection
• Education & health
• Effective governance policies, institutions &
functioning economies
• Gender equality & empowering women & girls
• Infrastructure, trade facilitation & international
competitiveness
CORE SELECTION CRITERIA
Scalability: 40 %
• Can proposed partnership outcomes be
increased in size or duplicated elsewhere?
• Will it lead to additional private sector
investment?
• Is partnership commercially viable?
• Are expected results realistic?
• Is chosen approach likely to achieve results?
CORE SELECTION CRITERIA
Value for money: 15 %
• Clear explanation of need for DFAT funding to
catalyse business investment
• Use of DFAT investment to leverage additional
funding
• Constraints on other sources of funding
• Appropriate solution to business / development
challenge
• Costs justified relative to impact
• Resourcing decisions well-informed
CORE SELECTION CRITERIA
Track record: 20 %
• Proven ability
• Sound technical analysis
• Track record of relevant partnerships /
relationships
• Done similar work
• Risk management systems
CORE SELECTION CRITERIA
Commitment to responsible business: 10 %
• Demonstrated commitment to sustainable
economic, social and environmental outcomes
• Strong track record in responsible business
• Reporting on responsible business practices
• Participation in responsible business initiatives
– Global Reporting Initiative, UN Global
Compact etc
CORE SELECTION CRITERIA
Equality & inclusiveness: 15 %
• Understanding of gender equality & disability
inclusiveness
• Response to gender equality & disability
inclusiveness issues identified
• M&E of gender and disability outcomes
FURTHER ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Gender quality & women’s empowerment: 100 % +
core BPP score
• Understanding of gender specific issues in
market / sector
• Specific & measurable improvement in
conditions of women / girls
• Product / service designed to benefit women /
girls
• Addresses1 or more pillar(s) of DFAT Gender
Policy – voice, economic empowerment, ending
violence
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