19th CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Funding innovation – Making a difference
The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) is seeking applications for financing projects along the commodity value chains following sustainability roadmap. CFC provides a range of financial and technical instruments to support projects proposed by SMEs/enterprises, cooperatives, and institutions along the entire commodity value chain in its member countries.
Quality project proposals from LDCs (Least Developed Countries), LLDCs (Landlocked Developing Countries) and SIDs (Small Island Developing States) are preferred to alleviate more people from poverty.
The support is offered mainly through loans for equipment, working capital or trade finance to invest in productivity and value chain upgradations. The CFC seeks applications of projects that have reached a state of economic, social and environmental sustainability. These applications should clearly show operational and financial viability, with a proven track record. Women entrepreneurs are especially encouraged to apply.
Project proposals incorporating innovative solutions for the commodity sector (e.g. new agritech applications, agroforestry, agro-ecology themed innovative productivity practices, regenerative technologies, increase availability of renewable and affordable energy, expanding environmental services, expediting digital and green recovery, adding to the nutrition security, climate friendly practices contributing to biodiversity, saving deforestation, digitalization, blockchain and other traceability solutions etc ) are especially encouraged to apply.
Please read our application template with care and submit when you think you fulfill those criteria in line with CFC’s mission and vision. Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any query at opencall@common-fund.org
MISSION
To contribute to poverty alleviation by strengthening the income-generating capacity of commodity producers and mitigating vulnerability to their economic well being.
VISION
To strengthen and diversify the commodity sector in developing countries and transform it to be a major contributor to poverty alleviation and sustained economic growth and development.
The CFC holds its 68th Consultative Committee Meeting by teleconference
The Common Fund for Commodities held its 68th Consultative Committee (CC) Meeting from 28 June to 1 July 2021. Complying with the COVID-19 measures, the meeting was held via teleconference for the third time. Five projects submitted under the 18th Call for Proposals were reviewed and eventually five projects were approved.
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68th Meeting of the Consultative Committee28 June to 1 July 2021All events |
CFC Response to COVID 19 pandemic – update 24 June 2021
What is Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) doing about the coronavirus outbreak?
Responding to the ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus, COVID-19, the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) has adopted several measures based on most recent guidelines announced by the Government of the Netherlands on 18 June 2021. At the same time the CFC endeavors to keep up to date with all of the changing guidelines globally, with a specific focus in its Member Countries. When the World Health Organization categorized the spread of the virus as a pandemic, it became incumbent on all of us to be innovative in adopting appropriate measures.
These measures pertain to contingency staffing, working from home and quickly adapting to virtual meetings etc. However, the CFC as an organization that is devoted to the socioeconomic development of commodity producers, remains acutely aware of its enhanced duties at this time of pandemic. We are focusing on providing all necessary support to our projects partners assisting them to remain on course during this challenging time. The CFC is working hard to remain in contact with the project implementing authorities, providing support to minimize the impact of COVID-19, whenever possible.
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Internally, staff are advised to observe all COVID-19 related protocols such as social distancing, washing hands regularly, working from home as much as possible and staying at home when unwell. The CFC has implemented these measures to minimize the risks of transmission of this virus and to offer staff a safe working environment should they choose to work from the office. All reasonable measures are taken to protect CFC staff and its clients, while minimizing the impact of the outbreak on the implementation of the CFC’s activities in 2020 and beyond. We currently operate at full capacity with most work being done from home in the virtual “cloud office” of the CFC.
The CFC Member States were duly informed and updated about these measures during 70th Executive Board Meeting and the 32nd Governing Council Meeting which were held, virtually, on 1 October 2020 and 9 December 2020 resp.
In the meantime, the CFC would like to highlight the essential nature of enhanced global cooperation to keep commodity supply chains as minimally impacted as possible, which is at the center of the CFC’s mission as an UN affiliated International Financial Organization.
On 23 June 2020, the Executive Board of the CFC approved the establishment of the Emergency Liquidity Facility under the authority of the Managing Director which will assist qualifying companies to cover the need for additional working capital caused by the pandemic.
The CFC will continue its quest to keep itself in a state of readiness so that resiliency in the supply chain continues when lockdown restrictions imposed due to COVID-19 begin to ease. We will have to work in unity and with solidarity with all our partners and peers to emerge with as few disruptions as possible, while taking note of the positive silver linings, such as increased network preparedness and the increased familiarity with online business connectivity between the developing and developed world and to tweak, where appropriate, our work in the future.
Please write to us at covid19-response@common-fund.org if you have any comment/suggestion/idea to share.
CFC’s COVID-19 situation briefing United Nations Update COVID-19 Global Trade Helpdesk COVID-19 WHO - COVID-19 adviceOur Mission
Making commodities work for everyone
The Common Fund’s mandate is to enhance the socioeconomic development of commodity producers and contribute to the development of society as a whole. In line with its market-oriented approach, the Fund concentrates on commodity development projects financed from its resources.
These resources consist of voluntary contributions, capital subscriptions by Member Countries transferred to the Second Account and interest earned. In partnership with other development institutions, the private sector and civil society, the Fund endeavours to achieve overall efficiency in and impact on commodity development.
Our Projects
CFC is proud to play a catalytic role in promoting and supporting poverty alleviation through commodity- focused development.
News
CFC extends support to Kenyan smallholders
The CFC continues supporting Olivado EPZ Limited (“Olivado”), an avocado oil processor and exporter from Kenya sourcing 100% of its produce from smallholder farmers. The loan will allow Olivado to further grow its integrated farmer-to-market model based on a Fairtrade and Organic certification scheme and pay smallholders in advance. Through this strengthened relationship with the CFC, Olivado expects to include up to 5,000 smallholder farmers in its inclusive small farmer program in Kenya and Tanzania, enjoying premium prices and a secure income.
In Kenya, over 70% of avocados are grown by smallholder farmers owning 5 to 20 trees, which can be up to 15 meters high. The trees are grown on small biodiverse farms, alongside maize, beans, bananas, and other fruit and vegetable crops. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, Olivado has had a significant impact on the smallholders. In 2020, it has enrolled 800 new farmers in its organic training programs, increasing incomes and livelihoods of 3,100 farmers (up from 2,300 in 2019).
Managing Director of NABC, visits the CFC
8 July 2021, Amsterdam. Ms. Rosmarijn Fens, Managing Director of the Netherlands-African Business Council (NABC), is seen with Managing Director Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal at the Secretariat of the CFC. Ms. Fens paid a courtesy visit today to the Common Fund for Commodities to discuss issues of mutual interests and concerns.
During the discussion, Ambassador Belal briefed Ms. Fens on the current as well as probable future initiatives of the CFC. Ambassador Belal elaborated on the elements, what he termed as green recovery in a post pandemic era, to help COVID-19 wrecked smallholder and SMEs to get to their feet at the earliest. Ambassador Belal wished to see more working relations and partnership with the NABC in the days to come.
The CFC holds its 68th Consultative Committee Meeting by teleconference
1 July 2021, Amsterdam. . The Common Fund for Commodities held its 68th Consultative Committee (CC) Meeting from 28 June to 1 July 2021. Complying with the COVID-19 measures, the meeting was held via teleconference for the third time. Five projects submitted under the 18th Call for Proposals were reviewed and eventually five projects were approved.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal, Managing Director of the CFC, welcomed and thanked all members of the CC for their valuable contribution to the operations of the CFC. It was noted that the CFC demonstrated resilience during the challenging times of the pandemic and sustained its activities to further its mission of poverty alleviation. Through joint efforts and a quick response to the sudden disruptions, the CFC continued supporting SMEs and smallholders in commodity-dependent developing countries and managed to implement multiple projects.