The organisations Roots of Impact and Aqua for All have recently launched a call for expressions of interest to select companies operating in the field of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Africa. They will be eligible for the Roots of Impact Social Impact Incentive Scheme (SIINC). Interested companies have until 27 September 2020 to apply.
To strengthen the impact of companies operating in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector in Africa south of the Sahara and in the Middle East. It is the aim of the organisation Aqua for All, which has joined forces with Roots of Impact to implement an initiative aimed at providing financial support to these companies. To this end, the two organisations are launching a call for expressions of interest, which is scheduled to close on September 27, 2020.
The initiative concerns companies operating on the African continent for at least 3 years and seeking repayable investments of a minimum of 500,000 euros. “Although there are no specific constraints regarding legal form, companies must have a business model and generate income from their activities (e.g. fee-for-service, subscription, government revenues/grants…),” says Roots of Impact.
Support via social impact incentives (SIINC)
In the call for expressions of interest, the two convenors indicate that they will promote gender-sensitive businesses that target vulnerable and low-income groups. “Enterprises that do not have a specific impact are also eligible if they are willing and able to produce positive social outcomes,” adds Roots of Impact.
Successful companies will benefit from the Social Impact Incentives Program (SIINC). This Roots of Impact instrument provides results-based funding that rewards high-impact companies with bonuses for achieving additional social impact. According to the organisation, the additional revenue from the non-repayable, results-based payments allows them to improve their profitability and attract greater investment.
Roots of Impact, which is in its first SIINC programme in the field of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), thus hopes to foster the development of a sector that is lagging behind in sub-Saharan African countries.
For more information on the call for expressions of interest, click here.
Jean Marie Takouleu
Photo credit: Water Alternatives
