Grassroots’ Funding for Food Security in Latin America During Covid-19

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Grassroots is announcing a call for applications for short-term funding to tackle the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and reduce negative impacts on food security and climate change resilience. We are committing US$ 250,000 to this initiative.

Smallholder farmers who are already vulnerable to economic, political and climate shocks are now facing even greater insecurity as they grapple with lockdowns, loss of funding, and lack of mobility. Grassroots is announcing a vehicle for short-term, low cost loans to fund innovative solutions.

Funding:

• Currently US$ 250,000 total
• Per institution: US$ 15,000 to $50,000

Types of companies:

We invite applications from companies that strengthen local agriculture supply chains while also building climate resilience. Below is an indicative list of the types of initiatives that will be considered:

• Data, apps and other technological solutions, like virtual data collection and information sharing
• Seeds and fertilizer to ensure that plantings can continue on schedule
• E-commerce platforms to facilitate access to food for processors and end consumers
• Agtech and equipment that increases productivity and efficiency and reduces the need for physical proximity

Selection criteria:

Priority will be given to the following:

• Companies working in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Haití; will also consider Bolivia, Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia
• Scalable solutions that leverage technology to increase productivity, yields and climate change resilience
• Innovative solutions that can be implemented quickly and benefit a large number of smallholder farmers in Latin America, particularly Central America and the Caribbean
• Solutions that have some track record (completed pilots, already in market, have co-funding, are post-revenue, etc.)
• Innovations that build climate change resilience (carbon sequestration, reducing GHGs, etc)

Eligibility:

• Social entrepreneurs, non-profit and for-profit businesses

Process

To apply for funding, please submit a proposal of 3 pages or less that includes the following:

• 50 word summary AND a detailed description of how your company contributes to food security in a climate resilient way
• Segment of the population you are serving (demographics of customers)
• Potential impact (in 3 months and in 12 months)
• Track record or plan if start up
• High-level budget
• Last 12 months’ revenue and net income, and number of clients
• Intended use of proceeds
• Website and social media (if available)
• 2-3 references

Please send your applications to info [at] grassrootscap [dot] com with the subject line “Application for Funding for Food Security During COVID19 in LatAm”.