ICT Challenge                       

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation invites the private sector to develop innovative products and ideas that help in the development of the Arab World through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by creating and providing access to high quality online Arabic content and ICT resources that support education and learning and which promote Arab culture. The purpose of the fund is to stimulate private enterprises, using ICT as a platform to create innovative and commercially replicable forms of information and knowledge sharing, for application in the Arab World. The Sawaed Programme offers grants to eligible applicants ranging from AED 100,000 to AED 1,000,000.   

Eligibility Criteria: 

Candidate businesses to the grants have to meet the following criteria:

·         Be registered in one of the 22 Arab countries of the League of Arab States (Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE and Yemen).

·         Owners of candidate businesses must be citizens of one of the 22 Arab countries mentioned above.

·         Demonstrate that they have the expertise to undertake the project.

·         Be in a satisfactory financial state and able to show two years audited or otherwise verified and unqualified business accounts or, at a minimum, demonstrate that it is up to date with its taxation submissions (if relevant).

·         Be willing and able to contribute at least 50% of the required project costs (in cash or equivalent).

·         Adhere to minimum levels of corporate social responsibility.

·         Note: Business membership organisations and associations and NGOs are eligible to apply for funding provided they are in a consortium or partnership led by an eligible for-profit private sector business. 

The project has to meet the following criteria:

·         It has commercial viability and potential for replication of innovative products and services.

·         It will contribute to one or more of the following objectives:

§  Increase in high quality Arabic online content.

§  Improved access to knowledge and information on ICT platforms.

§  Development of ICT-based resources that support education and learning (particularly in leadership and development).

§  Promotion of Arab culture through the use of ICT.

·         It is not able to source sufficient internal or commercial funding to undertake the project.

·         It will be completed within two years from the start of the project.

·         It will be sustainable, or result in sustainable impact after the grant has been used.

·         It will not contribute to gender inequalities and have no significant negative environmental impact.

·         It will not involve tobacco, gambling, alcohol or other illegal activities.

·         The project must comply with local regulations and have necessary permits for implementation from local authorities. 

Assessment criteria

Applications will be assessed against the following factors: 

·         Quality of the business case and implementation plan including risks involved.

·         Existing internal capability and capacity of the bidder and its personnel to implement the project in the timeframe set out in the bid.

·         Level of new private sector resources mobilised (directly from the bidder, and indirectly as a result of the project).

·         Inputs, results and impacts are clearly defined, measurable and achievable.

·         Level of direct and indirect benefits arising from the project and the likelihood they will be achieved.

Assessment Panel:

The Assessment Panel is made up of seven business professionals from various relevant industries across the region. Once the Panel has reviewed each application, they will provide recommendations to the Fund Manager as to which bidders have been successful at each round of the application process. 

Application Process

Stage One: Meet the eligibility criteria and register as a bidder

Before you consider applying, you should make sure that you meet all the eligibility criteria. Once you have confirmed your suitability, you may click here for application submission (Arabic only)

Stage Two: Prepare a Concept Note

Once you have registered on this website, you will need to complete a brief concept note (in Arabic), briefly outlining your business and proposed project. It will be used by the assessment panel to determine if you and your organisation meet the eligibility criteria. A Fund Manager from the Foundation is available to offer some assistance in putting together your concept note.  In addition, the Foundation is being supported by a number of mentors who volunteered to assist applicants in a number of Arab countries. To contact the nearest mentor in your country, please view the Mentors List which includes the names and contact details of all Mentors.

Stage Three: Full application process

If your Concept Note has been accepted by the assessment panel, you will be required to complete a full application form and present a business case of your project. After submitting the full application, you will receive feedback from the Fund Manager within four weeks of the full application closing deadline. 

After applications have been reviewed by the assessment panel, grants will be awarded to projects which best satisfy the assessment criteria. All bidders will be notified by email of the decision of the assessment panel. 

Contracting

A contract will be developed and signed with successful bidders and grants will be provided according to the expenditure and reporting timetables outlined in the contract. Businesses will be required to contribute a minimum of 50% of the costs of the project, which must be commercially self-sustainable within 2 years.  

Key dates: