Focus Sector: Climate Change Mitigation/ Environment and Social Enterprise
Background
Caritas has started up a new project called Promotion of Electric Two-Wheelers and Solar Energy in Vietnamese Cities: An Explorative Project Initiated and Tested in Hanoi. The overall goal of the project is to contribute to sustainable development in Vietnam by providing CO2-reducing technology solutions, while at the same time supporting viable pro-poor business options for the poor and disabled. Specifically, the project aims to:
1. Increase knowledge and awareness among relevant actors by communicating innovative and feasible solutions of renewable energy (through the e-bike and solar energy promotion); and to
2. Put forward an innovative and viable business approach/ model that enables a combination of e-bike technology promotion and pro-poor business.
The project’s duration is 18 months, from April 2013 to the end of September 2014. The target groups include high school and university students and their parents, poor and disabled people, policy-makers/Vietnam Government, civil society organizations and citizens in Ha Noi. A Baseline Study was carried out in May 2013. A Feasibility Study was carried out in July and August 2013. It assessed the viability of a social enterprise to rent e-bikes using Solar Recharge Stations as a source of renewable energy and innovative technology.
Based on the results of the Feasibility Study, a Pilot Project is being designed. The Pilot Project will have three components:
1. Component 1: Communication regarding renewable energy, solar power technology, electric two wheelers and social enterprise amongstthe target groups in Ha Noi. Caritas is the implementer.
2. Component 2: Installation and operation of two Solar PowerStations in a high school and a university in Ha Noi. The implementer partners have beenidentified.
3. Component 3: To establish a social enterprisewhich will run a business offering products and services related to electric bicycles and provide pro-poor growth opportunities for poor and disabled people in Ha Noi.
Caritas is seeking a competent partner to implement Component 3 of the project. Component 3will be supported by Components 1 and 2.
Objective
The purpose of this Call for Business Partner is to identify the appropriate organization to implement Component 3 of the Pilot Project.
Who can participate?
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have at least one of the following legal status in order to be considered for assessment:
- Private and Limited Liability Companies (LLC) registered and operating in Vietnam
- Joint Stock Companies (JSC) registered and operating in Vietnam
- Cooperatives registered and operating in Vietnam
- Social entrepreneurs who are Vietnamese or foreigner and eligible for opening a business in Vietnam
Assessment Criteria
The following criteria will be used to assess the key elements of the Call for Business Partner:
- Compliance with the eligibility criteria is prerequisite
- Innovation
- Long term commercial feasibility and sustainability
- The level of involvement of disadvantaged and disabled people in the project
- The cost effectiveness of the investment: The social impact valuation should be serious considered in the project.
- Up-scaling potential: Proven potential for significant scale ups will be positively evaluated.
- The business capacity (financial, organizational and human resources) to implement the investment needed for the social enterprise.
How to apply?
This Call for Business Partner is carried out in two steps;
Step 1: The applicant will submit the following documents:
1. An Expression of Interest cover letter
2. Applicant’s Organization Profile (see Annex 1 [1])
3. A copy of the Certificate of Business Registration
The applicants should submit these documents (in Vietnamese or English) to [email protected] [2] with CC to [email protected] [3] no later than 17:00 on 17th Sept 2013.
The Letter of Interest Expression must clearly state the motivation and reasons why the organization is best appropriate to operate the business.
Applications will be screened based on these three documents and the successful applicants will be invited to progress to Step 2 of the application process.
Step 2: Once an applicant has been invited by Caritas to participate in Step 2 of the application processes, the applicant will develop a Business Plan (in Vietnamese or English), and submit it to Caritas no later than 17:00 on 30th Sept 2013. The Business Plans should be submitted in a sealed envelope to Caritas Switzerland in Vietnam Office Room 120, Building A, La Thanh Hotel, 218 Doi Can, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam.
The applicants will be provided by Caritas with the following Project Documents:
- The Project Proposal of the “Promotion of Electric Two-Wheelers and Solar Energy in Vietnamese Cities: An Explorative Project Initiated and Tested in Hanoi” project.
- The Baseline Survey Report.
- The Feasibility Study Report.
- A Business Plan Template
Financial support from Caritas
Caritas will provide financial support for implementation of the social enterprise. The maximum financial support for Component 3 is up to 125,000 USD. Funds will be made available in the period between October 2013 and September 2014 through a partnership contract.
Other information
For any further information, please contact the Caritas Senior Project Manager of the E-bike Project: Name: Mr. Nguyen Manh Toan, Phone: 04 37623358;
Email: [email protected] [3]