FINANCIAL SUPPORTapplying – Call 4

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In order to be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must comply with all the criteria listed below:

• Must be an agri-enterprise involved in the production of farming inputs, food and fibre, ranching and raising of livestock, aquaculture, agroforestry or other farming and agricultural related industries. Examples of relevant agro-food enterprises include but are not limited to: companies involved in agricultural or, agroforestry or aquaculture production including agro-input suppliers, contract farming, agroforestry, agro-food processors, agriculture logistics and aggregation services, agriculture technology suppliers including breeders and farm machinery;
• Must be incorporated in Zambia as a company or a cooperative/association.

Note: Public Limited Company (PLC) and/or State Own Enterprise or companies led by employees of public institutions and/or bodies are not eligible applicants.

• Must be compliant with all national and local laws and regulations; including meeting all obligations relating to the payment of taxes and social security contribution and relevant health and safety and environmental standards;
• Must be a for-profit entity;
• Must demonstrate experience in the project proposal for current or future integration of smallholder farmers/livestock keepers in existing or new value chain(s) in the project’s areas;
• For size A-Larger Companies, the business must have at least three (3) years of uninterrupted operations in Zambia at the date of application, with focus on eligible agriculture, livestock or agroforestry sectors (see a) above for more specific examples), or;
• For size B-Smaller Companies, the business must have at least two (2) years of uninterrupted operations in Zambia at the date of application, with eligible agriculture, livestock or agroforestry sectors (see a) above for more specific examples).
• For size A-Larger Companies, the business must have a yearly turnover[1] in one of the last two (2) years of at least EUR 200,000[2]. A company is ineligible to apply for EZCF funding if its annual turnover exceeds EUR 10,000,000 (ten million Euro) in either of the most recent two years, as evidenced by audited accounts

or;

• For size B-Smaller Companies, the business must have a yearly turnover[3] in one of the last two (2) years of at least EUR 100,000 and at most, EUR 500,000[4].

Note: A company is ineligible to apply under the B-Smaller Companies window if its annual turnover exceeds EUR 500,000 in either of the most recent two year, as evidenced by audited accounts.

• Must be able to contribute at least 50% of the project cost through a blend of cash and cash equivalents[5], credit[6] or equity from own or third-party sources.
• For size A-Larger Companies, the business must have three (3) years of financial statements including audited accounts for the two (2) most recent years plus management accounts for the third year. The audited accounts should have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by an accountant accredited by the Zambia Institute of Certified Accountants (ZICA),

or;

• For size B-Smaller Companies, the business must have two (2) years of financial statements including audited accounts for the most recent year plus management accounts for the second year. The audited accounts should have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) by an accountant accredited by the Zambia Institute of Certified Accountants (ZICA),
• Must be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the implementing partners, not acting as an intermediary.