Apply: 2018 BIG Growth And Employment (GEM) Project Grant
Deadline: September 2018
Growth and Employment in States (GEMS) is an employment project supported by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment (FMTI) and funded by the World Bank and the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). The project is aimed at job creation and increased non-oil growth in specific high potential value chain sectors. DFID is providing a grant of £90 million and the World Bank a concessionary loan of $160 million. GEMS will achieve an overall internal rate of return of 48%.
A key target is the creation of at least 100,000 jobs directly in the selected sectors. The program targets at least six economic sectors and aims to support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Eligibility Criteria
Ensure that your business satisfy all the BIG eligibility criteria
– Be a Nigerian 18 years and older
– Operate a firm in Nigeria
– Operate in one of the five GEM supported clusters
– Employee less than 100 employees
– Apply Online
Only businesses/companies/firms in the following five (5) sectors are eligible to apply:
• Information Communication Technology (ICT)
• Entertainment
• Tourism and Hospitality
• Manufacturing (and agro-processing industries), and
• Construction and Real Estate
BIG APPLICATION PROCESS
• Create an Account: If you are new to the BIG Portal, you will have to Create an Account. You will be asked to provide your first and last name, and a valid email address. Ensure that your name provided here is one that you have a valid means of identity (e.g. driver’s license, international passport, National ID, Voter Card, etc.) because your identity will be verified if you are successful
• Receive Automatic Response: You will receive an automatic response in your email with a username and password for you to sign-up and register your business
• Confirm your Eligibility: Ensure that your business satisfy all the BIG eligibility criteria
• Apply Online by Completing the Web-Based Questionnaire: Sign-in with your username and password to provide required information in the registration form. According to BIG Portal, this will take less than 10 minutes to complete
• Successful Applicants will be Notified: Your application will be assessed by the project team. All successfully registered businesses will be invited to attend an induction workshop within their location
• Attend Induction Workshop: The BIG team will provide an overview of the program, conduct verification of identity, undertake needs assessment of businesses, provide an overview of the BIG services
• Access BIG Services: Successful applicants will have access to a wide range of BIG Services including Consulting, Training, and Grants
Visit www.bigportal.org.ng to register