CALL FOR CONCEPT NOTES FOR INNOVATIVE SOCIAL ENTERPRISES INNOVATOR ON ENDING CHILD MARRIAGES, TEENAGE PREGNANCIES AND FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION. REF: AAIU/SRVS/2025/016/EU

2.0: Project Objectives 

2.1: Overall project objective

The overall project objective is to reduce the incidence of FGM, early marriages and teenage pregnancies in Karamoja, by addressing the associated socio-economic challenges and implementing comprehensive preventive and response measures. The project will achieve this by enabling local Civil Society Organisations (CSO), action groups and community member, in particular adolescents aged 10-19 years, to engage as actors of governance and development and support prevention of harmful traditional practices. 

2.2: Specific project objectives

• To enhance access and uptake of comprehensive sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) services, reproductive health services and economic opportunities for teenage mothers.
• To enhance citizens agency to demand accountability for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) service delivery and challenge negative socio-cultural norms.

3.0: Financial allocation provided under this call. 

This call will provide financial support to the best 2 innovations, one in each of the two districts, The overall indicative amount made available under this call for concepts is UGX 20,000,000= per selected social enterprise. AAIU reserves the right not to award all available funds.

4.0: Duration 

The funds under this call must be used and accounted for within a period of one year from the time of award. 

5.0: Eligibility and Fundable Concepts 

5.1: Eligibility Criteria 

To be eligible for a grant under this call, the applicant must:

• Be a resident of Amudat or Nakapiripirit Districts or have a running social enterprise located in one of the two districts.
• Be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the social enterprise.
• Be an individual, community-based organisation (CBO) or social group, cultural or religious institution based in Amudat or Nakapiripirit District.
• Have no criminal record or history of promoting harmful traditional practices. 

5.1: Types of Innovations that can be supported. 

The types of social enterprises which may be financed under this call are those that are directly contributing to the achievement of the project objectives above. 

6.0: Selection process 

The selection process will involve 

• Review of the submitted concept notes against the eligibility criteria and project objectives.
• The best 5 applicants will be invited to a residential workshop for innovation refinement under the guidance of technical people.  
• The 5 applicants will then be given an opportunity to pitch their ideas before a selection committee during the youth symposium to be held in one of the districts.
• The committee will select the best 2 social enterprises to be funded. 

7.0: Visibility

Successful applicants must take all necessary steps to provide visibility for the European Union as the funder and AAIU as the implementing entity during and execution of the enterprise. 

8.0: Ethics clauses and Code of Conduct 

1. 8.1: Absence of conflict of interest 

The applicant must not be affected by any conflict of interest. Any attempt by an applicant to obtain confidential information, enter into unlawful agreements with competitors or influence the selection will lead to the rejection of its application. 

8.2: Respect for human rights as well as environmental legislation and core labour standards 

The applicant and its staff must comply with human rights. In particular and in accordance with the applicable laws, selected applicants must comply with environmental legislation and with the core labour standards (such as the elimination of forced and compulsory labour, abolition of child labour). 

Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment: Physical abuse or punishment, or threats of physical abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation, harassment and verbal abuse, as well as other forms of harmful practices shall be prohibited when executing this call. 

1. 8.3: Anti-corruption and anti-bribery 

The applicant shall comply with all applicable laws and regulations and codes relating to anti-bribery and anti-corruption. The contracting authority reserves the right to suspend or cancel project financing if corrupt practices of any kind are discovered at any stage of the award process or during the execution of a contract and if the contracting authority fails to take all appropriate measures to remedy the situation. 

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2. 8.4: Breach of obligations, irregularities or fraud 

The contracting authority reserves the right to suspend or cancel the procedure, where the award procedure proves to have been subject to substantial breach of obligations, irregularities or fraud. If substantial breach of obligations, irregularities or fraud are discovered after the award of the contract, the contracting authority may refrain from concluding the contract.

9.0: How to Apply

Signed copies of Concept notes including a detailed budget not exceeding 3 pages should be sent on email to Procurement.Uganda@actionaid.org 

9.1: Deadline for submission of concept notes 

1. The deadline for submission is 7th November 2025 at 13:00Hrs.

Important Note: ActionAid Uganda will not ask for any payment from applicants during the selection process or execution of the social enterprise.